Protein expression in silica dust-induced transdifferentiated rats lung fibroblasts

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the expression of different proteins in free silica-induced transdifferentiated rat lung fibroblasts.

Methods: Rat lung fibroblasts and alveolar macrophages were cultured. A transdifferentiation model of rat lung fibroblasts was established. Free silica was used as a stimulator for rat lung fibroblasts. Changes in α-SMA were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, respectively. Protein of lung fibroblasts was extracted and analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE).

Results: Six protein spots were identified by mass spectrometry, including glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate-dehydrogenase, peroxiredoxin 5, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2, transgelin 2, keratin K6 and vimentin.

Conclusion: Some proteins are changed in free silica-induced transdifferentiated rat lung fibroblasts.

Keywords: Crystalline silica; Myofibroblast; Transdifferentiation; Two-dimensional electrophoresis.