ABSTRACT
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis(HP) is a diffuse granulomatous interstitial lung disease caused by the inhalation of specific organic antigens or low molecular weight substances in genetically susceptible individuals. In general, HP is difficult to diagnose because of its nonspecific clinical manifestations as well as imaging and histological features similar to other interstitial lung diseases. HP is divided into three phases, while the imaging performance between the three phases overlaps. As a key means of differential diagnosis between chronic HP and ILD, high-resolution computed tomography(HRCT) is the most sensitive test for HP, especially in case where clinical lung biopsy is not available. This article reviews the essential features of HP with emphasis on imaging features, mainly to classify and summarize HP's various imaging performances, hoping to provide early diagnosis leads for the clinic.
ABSTRACT
Axl encodes the tyrosine-protein kinase receptor, participating in the proliferation and migration of many cells. This study examined the role of Axl in functions of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Axl was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting in both placentas and EPCs from normal pregnancy and preeclampsia patients. The Axl inhibitor, BMS777-607, was used to inhibit the Axl signalling pathway in EPCs. Cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and adhesion were measured by CCK-8 assay, cell differentiation assay, Transwell assay, and cell adhesion assay, respectively. Results showed the expression levels of Axl mRNA and protein were significantly higher in both placentas and EPCs from preeclampsia patients than from normal pregnancy (P<0.05). After treatment with BMS777-607, proliferation, differentiation, migration and adhesion capability of EPCs were all significantly decreased. Our study suggests Axl may play a role in the function of EPCs, thereby involving in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.