Expression of GATA-3 in mice with radiation-induced lung fibrosis / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the expression of GATA-3 and IL-13 in mice with radiationinduced lung fibrosis,and to study the function of GATA-3.Methods A total of 63 C57BL/6 female mice were randomly into 2 groups,including 21 mice in control group and 42 mice in irradiated group.The thoraces of mice in irradiated group were exposed with 12 Gy of X-rays.All the mice were sacrificed at 1 h,and 1,2,4,8,16 and 24 weeks post-irradiation.The lung issues were stained by using HE and Masson methods to determine the histological changes.The expression of IL-13 in serum,and the expression of hydroxyproline and the mRNA and protein of GATA-3 in lung tissue were assayed.Results Compared with control group,there was a significant histological and pathologic change in irradiated group.The content of hydroxyproline in irradiated group was significantly higher than that in control group( Z =3.14,P ＜0.05).The expressions of GATA-3 and IL-13 were found in mice post-irradiation.Without causing conspicuous fibrotic pathological changes,there was a significantly elevated expression of Th2-specific transcription factor GATA-3 mRNA at 1 and 2 weeks post-irradiation ( t =6.50,6.33,P ＜ 0.01 ),while the expression of IL-13 reached the maximal value in serum at 16 weeks post-irradiation( t =32.21,P ＜0.01 ).Conclusions GATA-3 might play a role in promoting radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis by upregulation of expression of Th2 cytokine IL-13.