The expression and significance of SOX4 and β-catenin in lung tissues of preterm rats exposed to hyperoxia / 中国新生儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the expression of high mobility group box protein 4 (SOX4) and β-catenin in lung tissues of preterm rats with hyperoxia exposure,and to study its significance.Method One-day-old preterm Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups:95％ hyperoxia group,70％ hyperoxia group,45％ hyperoxia group and air group.After three days,pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed by hematoxylin eosin staining,the mRNA expressions of SOX4 and β-catenin in lung tissues were detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction,and the protein expressions of SOX4 and β-catenin in the lung tissues were measured by western blot.Result The structure of lung tissues in air group was normal.45％ hyperoxia group represented mainly effusion and inflammatory cell infiltration,70％ and 95％ hyperoxia group showed acute lung injury characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration,hyperaemia,hemorrhagic change,disorganization and collapse of alveolar.The expressions of SOX4 mRNA and protein were highly elevated in all hyperoxia groups than that in air group (P ＜ 0.01);Compared with 45％ hyperoxia group,the expressions of SOX4 mRNA and protein were higher in 95％ hyperoxia group (P ＜ 0.01).β-catenin mRNA,total β-catenin protein and nuclear β-catenin protein were also highly elevated in hyperoxia groups compared with air group (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with 45％ hyperoxia group,the expressions of β-catenin mRNA and total β-catenin protein were also highly raised in 70％ hyperoxia group and 95％ hyperoxia group (P ＜ 0.05).The expression of nuclear β-catenin protein was higher in 95％ hyperoxia group than that in 45％ hyperoxia group (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The mRNA and protein expressions of SOX4 and β-catenin in lung tissues of preterm rats were increased by hyperoxia exposure.This mechanism may take part in hyperoxia-induced preterm rats lung injury.