Expression and distribution of osteopontin in the development of pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxia-hypercapnia / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: To study the expression and distribution of osteopontin (OPN) in lungs and pulmonary arteries in pulmonary hypertensive rats induced by hypoxia-hypercapnia, and to explore the role of OPN in pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats (Weight 180 g-220 g) were randomly divided into four groups normal control group (NC), hypoxic hypercapnia 1-week,2-week and 4-week group (1HH, 2HH and 4HH). The expressions of OPN mRNA and protein in lungs and pulmonary arteries were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. ELISA was used to detect the concentration of OPN in lung homogenates. The content of OPN in pulmonary arteries was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: ① The mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and weight ratio of right ventricle to left ventricle and septum [RV/(LV+S)] in all hypoxic hypercapniac groups were higher than those in normal control group (P0.05). ② The expression of OPN mRNA was significantly increased in pulmonary arteries and lung tissues in hypoxic hypercapnic groups compared with normal control group (P