ABSTRACT
Objective@#To investigate whether Pseudomonas aeruginosa recombinant protein PA3611 can induce the in vitro epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of rat bronchial epithelial cells.@*Methods@#A series of processes including DNA synthesis, gene amplification, vector construction, induction of expression and protein purification was used to synthesize the recombinant protein PA3611. CCK-8 kit was used to detect the proliferation of bronchial epithelial cells after stimulation with the protein PA3611. Morphological changes in bronchial epithelial cells were observed. Western blot and qPCR were performed to measure the expression of E-cadherin (E-CAD) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). T test was used for statistical analysis.@*Results@#DNA sequencing verified the successful preparation of the recombinant protein PA3611. PA3611 inhibited the proliferation (P<0.05) and induced the EMT of bronchial epithelial cells. Moreover, it also inhibited the expression of E-CAD protein, but promoted the expression of α-SMA (P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#The recombinant protein PA3611 can induce the EMT of bronchial epithelial cells and the underlying mechanisms are worthy of further investigation.