结缔组织生长因子在慢性阻塞性肺疾病血管重建中表达研究

目的：探讨结缔组织生长因子（CTGF）在慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）血管重建中的表达及意义。方法：将30例有吸烟史的男性鳞癌需要手术的患者按其肺功能结果分成二组,对照组：（肺功能正常组）;COPD稳定期组：（肺功能异常组）,每组15例,标本来自于癌旁的肺组织,肺血管重塑的形态学观察行HE和MASSON三色染色,行免疫组化来观察CTGF蛋白、PCNA蛋白在肺血管平滑肌中的表达。结果：（1）COPD组肺动脉管壁面积/管总面积（WA%）、管壁的胶原厚度、肺动脉平滑肌中CTGF蛋白及PCNA蛋白的表达与对照组相比差异有统计学意义。（2）CTGF与管壁面积/管总面积（WA%）、管壁的胶原厚度及血管平滑肌中PCNA表达呈正相关（,r值分别为0.81、0.68、0.86,P〈0.05）。吸烟指数与管壁面积/管总面积及PCNA的表达呈正相关（r=0.73,0.99,P〈0.01）。结论：单纯吸烟者即有血管重建,吸烟伴COPD者血管重建更加严重,CTGF在COPD患者肺血管中的表达较对照组高,可能参与了COPD血管重建过程。     

吸烟和慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者肺血管重建及蛋白激酶C-α表达的研究

目的探讨吸烟和慢性阻塞性肺病(COPD)患者肺血管重建及蛋白激酶C-α(PKC-α)mRNA和蛋白质的表达情况.方法非吸烟非COPD(Controls组)、吸烟非COPD(Smokers组)和吸烟COPD(COPD组)男性肺癌患者各11人,年龄相匹配,取其行肺叶切除术后的外周肺组织.采用免疫组织化学方法检测肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)及肺小动脉α-SM-actin染色以显示肺血管重建,逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)对肺小动脉PKC-αmRNA表达进行半定量,免疫荧光及Western blot法检测肺小动脉PKC-α蛋白质表达.结果吸烟非COPD和吸烟COPD患者肺血管重构明显,两组患者肺动脉平滑肌细胞的增殖指数和α-SM-actin表达量均明显高于非吸烟非COPD(P<0.001).吸烟COPD患者肺血管重构更明显,肺动脉平滑肌细胞的增殖指数和α-SM-actin表达量均高于吸烟非COPD(P<0.001,P<0.05).吸烟非COPD患者肺小动脉PKC-α在转录和翻译两个水平的表达均明显高于非吸烟非COPD患者(P<0.001);吸烟COPD患者动脉血氧分压PaO2明显低于吸烟非COPD患者(P<0.05),肺小动脉PKC-αmRNA及蛋白质表达水平均明显高于吸烟非COPD患者(P<0.01).结论长期吸烟导致肺血管重建,既有香烟的直接作用,又有长期吸烟诱导COPD的低氧因素,其机制可能是通过细胞内PKC生物信号传导通道.     

PKC在慢性低氧大鼠肺动脉重构中的作用

目的 :探讨蛋白激酶C(PKC)在慢性低氧大鼠肺动脉重构中的作用。方法 :采用透射电镜、放射活性测定法、免疫组化、图像分析等方法综合进行评价。结果 :①肺动脉平均压 (mPAP)、右心室重量比 (RV LV S)显著高于对照组 (P <0 .0 1) ;②光镜下肺细小动脉管壁面积 管总面积 (WA TA)、肺细小动脉中膜平滑肌细胞核密度 (SMC)显著高于对照组 (P <0 .0 1) ;电镜显示肺动脉中膜平滑肌细胞增生 ,胶原纤维较对照组明显为多 ;③肺组织PKC总活性(PKCt)、胞膜PKC活性 (PKCm)、胞浆PKC活性 (PKCc)及PKCm PKCt的百分比显著高于对照组 (P <0 .0 1) ;④免疫组化显示肺细小动脉 (直径约 10 0～ 2 0 0 μm)PKC含量、Ⅰ型胶原含量显著高于对照组 (P <0 .0 1) ,Ⅲ型胶原组间无明显差异 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;⑤肺组织PKCt、PKCm、PKCm PKCt和肺动脉管壁PKC的表达与肺细小动脉中膜平滑肌细胞核密度 (SMC)、肺动脉管壁Ⅰ型胶原的表达均呈正相关。结论 :PKC参与慢性低氧肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖、管壁胶原表达的调控 ,从而参与了低氧性肺动脉重构的过程     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者肺小血管低氧诱导因子1α与其羟化酶表达

目的:通过观察慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者肺小动脉内低氧诱导因子α亚基(HIF-1α)及HIF脯氨酸羟化酶(PHD)、HIF抑制因子的表达,探讨其在肺血管重塑中的可能作用。方法:选因肺肿瘤行肺叶切除者,COPD组(12例),对照组(14例)。取2组患者的肺组织,原位杂交和免疫组化检测HIF-1α、PHD1、PHD2、PHD3、FIH的mRNA及蛋白表达水平。观察并计算肺小动脉管壁厚度(PAMT)及肺小动脉管壁面积与血管总面积的比值(WA%)。结果:①COPD组PAMT(40μm±5μm)、WA%(50%±9%)均较对照组(分别为(31μm±4μm,39%±6%)高(均P<0.01);②COPD组肺小血管HIF-1αmRNA和蛋白表达(吸光度(A)值)(0.230±0.036,0.275±0.039)较对照组(0.174±0.029,0.102±0.015)增强(均P<0.01),蛋白质表达增高更明显。COPD组肺小血管PHD1 mRNA表达(0.180±0.030)与对照组(0.191±0.029)比无明显改变(P>0.05)。COPD组PHD2、PHD3 mRNA表达(0.245±0.044,0.252±0.023)较对照组(0.182±0.028,0.127±0.017)明显增高(均P<0.01)。PHD1蛋白质表达(0.104±0.015)较对照组(0.209±0.023)降低(P<0.01)。PHD2蛋白质表达(0.274±0.044)较对照组(0.219±0.043)增高(P<0.01)。PHD3蛋白质表达(0.161±0.023)较对照组(0.146±0.021)略增高,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组间FIHmRNA和蛋白质表达差异均无显著性(P>0.05);③相关分析表明HIF-1α蛋白质水平与WA%,PAMT及PHD2、PHD3 mRNA及PHD2蛋白质呈正相关,与PHD1蛋白质呈负相关。结论:PHDs可能通过调节HIF-1α表达参与COPD患者的肺血管重塑。     

结缔组织生长因子在肺纤维化初期肺动脉中的表达

本研究观察了博莱霉素(bleomycin,BLM)诱导肺纤维化初期肺动脉压、肺动脉壁Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原的含量以及肺动脉壁结缔组织生长因子(connective tissue growth factor,CTGF)免疫阳性表达和分布.用气管内一次性滴注BLM(5 mg/kg体重)的方法复制肺纤维化动物模型大鼠;用右心漂浮导管技术检测肺动脉压;用天狼星红胶原纤维特异染色和偏振光观察肺动脉Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原;用免疫组织化学法检测肺动脉壁CTGF表达.结果显示:滴注BLM后第14天,大鼠肺动脉压高于对照组大鼠(P<0.05);肺动脉主干和肺内动脉壁Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原的染色面积大于对照组大鼠(P<0.05,P<0.01),肺动脉主干血管壁Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原染色面积的比值高于对照组大鼠(P<0.05);肺动脉主干和肺内动脉壁CTGF免疫染色面积均大于对照组大鼠,平均光密度也高于对照组大鼠(均P<0.05);增多的CTGF免疫阳性细胞主要分布在肺动脉的平滑肌层和内皮层.以上结果表明,在BLM致肺纤维化形成初期肺动脉高压和肺血管壁结构重塑过程中,肺动脉壁平滑肌层和内皮层CTGF表达增多,这可能是肺动脉高压维持和发展的机制之一.     

增殖细胞核抗原在低氧大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞中表达

目的通过建立低氧性肺动脉高压大鼠模型,探讨增殖细胞核抗原(proliferating cell nuclear antigen,PCNA)在大鼠低氧性肺血管平滑肌细胞中的表达。方法将SPF级SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组(n=10)、模型组(n=10),通过间断常压低氧法建立大鼠低氧性肺动脉高压模型,肺组织切片经HE染色后图像分析技术定量检测大鼠肺小动脉的形态改变;免疫组织化学染色法测定肺血管平滑肌细胞内PCNA蛋白表达,并经图像分析半定量检测其表达强度。结果 4周后,模型组SD大鼠MT%、MA%与对照组比较,差异具有显著性(P<0.05);模型组SD大鼠肺血管平滑肌细胞内PCNA核蛋白表达(积分面积、累积光密度)与对照组比较,差异具有显著性(P<0.05)。结论常压低氧4周可成功建立肺动脉高压大鼠模型,PCNA在肺血管平滑肌细胞中的表达量具有差异性提示其可能在肺动脉高压形成过程中起重要作用。     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病小气道NOX4、TGF-β的表达与气道重塑的关系

目的:探讨烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸氧化酶4(NOX4)、转化生长因子β(TGF-β)的表达与慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)小气道重塑的关系。方法:收集55例因肺部肿瘤行肺叶切除的患者,根据临床资料及术前肺功能分为COPD组(36例)及对照组(19例),术中留取病变远端正常的肺组织标本。采用HE染色观察COPD组及对照组小气道形态学变化;采用免疫组织化学法、免疫荧光双染法及免疫印迹检测小气道组织NOX4、TGF-β、α-SMA及胶原蛋白Ⅳ的表达情况,并分析其与肺功能气流受限严重程度的相关性。结果:(1)COPD组小气道平滑肌厚度占气道外径的百分比(WT%)、小气道平滑肌面积占支气管断面面积百分比(WA%)明显高于对照组(P0.05);WT%和WA%在不同肺功能分级的COPD组间比较,差别均有统计学意义(P0.05)。(2)COPD组上皮细胞增生明显,部分上皮细胞表达间质细胞表型α-SMA及胶原蛋白Ⅳ。COPD组上皮细胞α-SMA及Ⅳ型胶原蛋白免疫染色强度明显强于对照组(P0.05)。(3)NOX4在COPD组小气道平滑肌及上皮细胞中的表达明显高于对照组(P0.05),NOX4的表达在不同肺功能分级的COPD组间比较,差别均有统计学意义(P0.05)。(4)TGF-β在COPD组小气道平滑肌细胞及气道上皮细胞的表达均高于对照组(P0.05)。(5)COPD小气道平滑肌WT%、WA%与肺功能FEV1%pred、FEV1/FVC%呈负相关(P0.05);小气道平滑肌细胞NOX4的表达与肺功能FEV1%pred、FEV1/FVC%呈负相关(P0.05)。结论:COPD存在以小气道平滑肌增生及细胞外基质沉积为主要表现的气道重塑,且气道重塑的程度与气流受限严重程度呈正相关,COPD小气道上皮细胞和小气道平滑肌细胞表达NOX4、α-SMA和TGF-β明显增高,NOX4、α-SMA、TGF-β的表达与COPD气流受限严重程度呈负相关,提示TGF-β、NOX4信号机制可能参与COPD气道重塑的发生发展。     

姜黄素对慢性低氧高二氧化碳大鼠肺动脉高压及肺动脉管壁胶原的影响

目的：研究姜黄素对慢性低氧高二氧化碳大鼠肺动脉压力及肺动脉管壁Ⅰ型胶原的影响。方法：36只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组（NC组）,低O2高CO2 4周组（HH组）,低O2高CO2 4周＋姜黄素组（HC组）,采用免疫组化、图像分析等方法观察姜黄素对慢性低O2高CO2大鼠肺动脉压力、肺细小动脉显微和超微结构及肺动脉管壁Ⅰ型胶原的影响。结果：①血流动力学检测显示HH组mPAP明显高于NC组（P〈0．01）,HC组mPAP明显低于HH组（P〈0．01）,三组间mCAP无明显差异（P〉0．05）;②光镜下,肺细小动脉管壁面积／管总面积比值（WA／TA）、肺细小动脉中膜平滑肌细胞核密度（SMC）、肺细小动脉中膜厚度（PAMT）HH组较NC组明显增高（均P〈0．01）,HC组WA／TA、SMC和PAMT较HH组明显降低（均P〈0．01）;③电镜下,HH组肺细小动脉中膜平滑肌细胞增生,面积增大,染色质增多,外膜胶原纤维密集,HC组大鼠肺细小动脉内皮细胞结构基本正常,胶原少见,中膜平滑肌细胞和外膜胶原纤维增生较HH组明显为轻;④免疫组化法发现肺细小动脉Ⅰ型胶原平均吸光度值HH组明显高于Nc组（P〈0．01）,HC组明显低于HH组（P〈0．01）。结论：姜黄素具有降低慢性低O2高CO2性肺动脉高压、改善肺血管重建及抑制肺动脉管壁Ⅰ型胶原沉积的作用。     

游泳运动对低氧性肺动脉高压大鼠肺组织apelin及其受体表达的影响

目的:探讨游泳运动对大鼠肺组织新的小分子活性肽apelin及其受体(APJ)表达的影响。方法:45只雄性大鼠随机分成三组:正常对照组、低氧组(七周)和游泳组(低氧+游泳锻炼七周组,低氧3周后,于每天入低氧舱前行无负重游泳运动60 min,每天1次)。七周后测定各组大鼠平均肺动脉压(mPAP)、右心室与左心室加室间隔的重量比[RV/(LV+S)]、肺细小动脉管壁面积/管总面积(WA/TA)、管腔面积/管总面积(CA/TA)及中膜厚度(PAMT)。免疫蛋白印迹与免疫组化法测定肺组织apelin/APJ的蛋白表达。结果:①低氧组mPAP和RV/(LV+S)比正常对照组分别高73.6%和31.2%(P均<0.01),而游泳组比低氧组分别低21.1%和8.9%(P均<0.05)。②低氧组WA/TA和PAMT较正常对照组分别高70.8%和102%,而游泳组较低氧组分别低24.8%和40.1%(P均<0.01)。低氧组CA/TA较正常对照组低15.1%,而游泳组较低氧组高10.3%(P均<0.01)。③低氧组肺组织apelin蛋白表达较正常对照组上调374%(P<0.01),而APJ蛋白表达下调87.1%(P均<0.01);游泳组肺组织apelin蛋白表达较低氧组下调48%,而APJ蛋白表达上调287%(P均<0.01)。④apelin蛋白主要在血管外膜及炎症细胞胞浆内表达,APJ蛋白主要在血管内膜、外膜及炎症细胞上表达。结论:游泳运动减缓肺动脉高压和肺血管重塑作用可能与调节肺组织apelin/APJ系统的表达有关。     

高肺血流对大鼠肺血管结构及尾加压素Ⅱ表达的影响

目的：探讨新型血管活性肽人类尾加压素Ⅱ(hUⅡ)在高肺血流量所致肺动脉高压大鼠肺动脉中的表达及其作用。方法：对大鼠行腹主动脉-下腔静脉分流术。11周后,以右心导管法测肺动脉压力,观测肺血管显微结构的变化,以免疫组织化学方法检测肺动脉hUⅡ的表达。结果：分流术后11周,大鼠肺动脉高压形成,肺小血管肌化程度明显增强,肺中、小型肌型动脉相对中膜厚度明显增加。分流组大鼠肺动脉内皮细胞和平滑肌细胞hUⅡ蛋白表达上调,并且与肺动脉压力和肺血管结构的改变呈正相关。结论：肺动脉内皮细胞和平滑肌细胞hUⅡ的上调可能参与了高肺血流量所致肺血管结构重建和肺动脉高压的形成。     

Knockdown of connective tissue growth factor by plasmid-based short hairpin RNA prevented pulmonary vascular remodeling in cigarette smoke-exposed rats

Cigarette smoking may contribute to pulmonary hypertension in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by resulting in pulmonary vascular remodeling that involves pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a cysteine-rich peptide implicated in several biological processes such as cell proliferation, survival, and migration. This study investigated the potential role of CTGF in pulmonary vascular remodeling. We constructed a plasmid-based short hairpin RNA (shRNA) to knock down the expression of CTGF in primary cultured rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (rPASMCs) and in rat lung vessels. Rat PASMCs were challenged with cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Rats were exposed to cigarette smoke for 3 months in the absence or in the presence of plasmid-based short hairpin RNA against CTGF which was administrated by tail vein injection. CTGFshRNA significantly prevented CTGF and cyclin D1 expression, arrested cell cycle at G0/G1 phase and suppressed cell proliferation in rPASMCs exposed to CSE. CTGFshRNA administration ameliorated pulmonary vascular remodeling, inhibited cigarette smoke-induced CTGF elevation and reversed the cyclin D1 increase in pulmonary vessels in rats. Collectively, our data demonstrated that plasmid-based shRNA against CTGF attenuated pulmonary vascular remodeling in cigarette smoke-exposed rats.     

TGF-β1 和CTGF 在大鼠高动力性肺动脉高压模型中的表达及意义*

目的:研究大鼠高动力性肺动脉高压模型转化生长因子-β1(transforming growth factor-beta 1,TGF-β1)和结缔组织生长因子(connective tissue growing factor,CTGF)的表达变化及意义。方法:45只SD大鼠随机分成左肺全切组(A)、假手术组(B)和对照组(C),每组15只。手术后6周测各组大鼠肺动脉平均压(mPAP),右心室肥厚指数(RVH),光镜下检测肺肌型小动脉占肺小血管百分比(SMA%)。免疫组化观察TGF-β1和CTGF在肺组织中的表达,RT-PCR检测肺组织TGF-β1mRNA和CTGF mRNA的表达水平。结果:①左肺全切后复制了高动力性肺动脉高压模型,引起mPAP、RVH和SMA%明显增高(P<0.05)。②左肺全切组TGF-β1和CTGF蛋白及mRNA表达均较假手术组和对照组显著性增加(P<0.05)。而假手术组和对照组之间各指标没有显著性差异。结论:TGF-β1和CTGF的过度表达是高动力性肺动脉高压发生发展的重要因素,可能共同促进了肺血管重构。     

Association between pulmonary function and peak oxygen uptake in elderly: the Generation 100 study

Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) is a common cause of death in industrialized countries often induced by exposure to tobacco smoke. A substantial number of patients with COPD also suffer from pulmonary hypertension that may be caused by hypoxia or other hypoxia-independent stimuli - inducing pulmonary vascular remodeling. The Ca2+ binding protein, S100A4 is known to play a role in non-COPD-driven vascular remodeling of intrapulmonary arteries. Therefore, we have investigated the potential involvement of S100A4 in COPD induced vascular remodeling. Lung tissue was obtained from explanted lungs of five COPD patients and five non-transplanted donor lungs. Additionally, mice lungs of a tobacco-smoke-induced lung emphysema model (exposure for 3 and 8 month) and controls were investigated. Real-time RT-PCR analysis of S100A4 and RAGE mRNA was performed from laser-microdissected intrapulmonary arteries. S100A4 immunohistochemistry was semi-quantitatively evaluated. Mobility shift assay and siRNA knock-down were used to prove hypoxia responsive elements (HRE) and HIF binding within the S100A4 promoter. Laser-microdissection in combination with real-time PCR analysis revealed higher expression of S100A4 mRNA in intrapulmonary arteries of COPD patients compared to donors. These findings were mirrored by semi-quantitative analysis of S100A4 immunostaining. Analogous to human lungs, in mice with tobacco-smoke-induced emphysema an up-regulation of S100A4 mRNA and protein was observed in intrapulmonary arteries. Putative HREs could be identified in the promoter region of the human S100A4 gene and their functionality was confirmed by mobility shift assay. Knock-down of HIF1/2 by siRNA attenuated hypoxia-dependent increase in S100A4 mRNA levels in human primary pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Interestingly, RAGE mRNA expression was enhanced in pulmonary arteries of tobacco-smoke exposed mice but not in pulmonary arteries of COPD patients. As enhanced S100A4 expression was observed in remodeled intrapulmonary arteries of COPD patients, targeting S100A4 could serve as potential therapeutic option for prevention of vascular remodeling in COPD patients.     

TLR-4 在慢性阻塞性肺病患者肺组织表达的研究

目的:观察COPD患者肺组织中TLR-4,IL-8,MUC5AC的表达,并探讨其在气道炎症、气道高分泌中的作用。方法:非COPD、COPD组男性肺癌病人各20例,取其肺叶切除后的外周肺组织,对肺组织标本行HE及AB-PAS染色,用免疫组织化学方法检测肺组织中TLR-4,IL-8,MUC5AC的表达并分析其相关性。结果:①COPD患者肺组织中TLR-4,IL-8,MUC5AC表达较对照组增高(P<0.05)。TLR-4主要在气道上皮细胞、肺巨噬细胞及血管内皮细胞表达,IL-8在气道壁、肺泡间隔、血管壁及肺组织内浸润的单核细胞、巨噬细胞、多形核白细胞均有表达,MUC5AC主要在气道上皮杯状细胞中表达。②TLR-4、IL-8表达与气道炎细胞评分成正相关(P<0.05)。TLR-4与IL-8、MUC5AC表达成正相关(P<0.05)。结论:COPD患者肺组织中TLR-4高表达可能参与了COPD的气道炎症及气道高分泌,这可能是通过增加IL-8与MUC5AC的表达来实现的。     

Effects of endogenous carbon monoxide on collagen synthesis in pulmonary artery in rats under hypoxia

To study the role of endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) in collagen metabolism during hypoxic pulmonary vascular remodeling, a total of 18 Wistar rats were used in the study and they were randomly divided into three groups: hypoxia group (n = 6), hypoxia with zinc protoporphyrin-IX (ZnPP-IX) group (n = 6) and control group (n = 6). The measurement of mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) formation in lung tissue homogenates was measured. A morphometric analysis of pulmonary vessels was performed, in which the percentage of muscularized arteries (MA); partially muscularized arteries (PMA) and nonmuscularized arteries (NMV) in small and median pulmonary vessels, relative medial thickness (RMT) and relative medial area (RMA) of pulmonary arteries were analyzed. Collagen type I and III and transforming growth factor-beta3 (TGF-beta3) expressions were detected by immunohistochemical assay. The expressions of procollagen type I and III and TGF-beta3 mRNA were detected by in situ hybridization. The results showed that ZnPP-IX significantly increased mPAP and markedly decreased HbCO formation in lung tissue homogenates in rats under hypoxia (P < 0.01). In the hypoxia rats treated with ZnPP-IX, the percentage of muscularized arteries of small and median pulmonary vessels was obviously increased, and RMT and RMA of intra-acinar muscularized pulmonary arteries were markedly increased compared with hypoxic rats. Ultrastructural changes, such as hyperplasia and hypertrophy of endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and the increased number of SMCs in synthetic phenotype were found in intra-acinar pulmonary muscularized arteries of hypoxic rats treated with ZnPP-IX. Meanwhile, ZnPP-IX promoted the expression of collagen type I and III and TGF-beta3 protein in pulmonary arteries of rats under hypoxia (P < 0.01). Furthermore, ZnPP-IX elevated obviously the expressions of procollagen type I and III mRNA, and TGF-beta3 mRNA in pulmonary arteries of rats under hypoxia (P < 0.01). The results of this study suggested that ZnPP-IX played an important role in promoting collagen synthesis in pulmonary arteries of rats with hypoxic pulmonary structural remodeling by increasing the expression of TGF-beta3. The above findings also suggested a possible role of endogenous CO in the pathogenesis of chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.     

Systemic and Pulmonary Vascular Remodelling in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

BackgroundChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is associated with subclinical systemic atherosclerosis and pulmonary vascular remodelling characterized by intimal hyperplasia and luminal narrowing. We aimed to determine differences in the intimal thickening of systemic and pulmonary arteries in COPD subjects and smokers. Secondary aims include comparisons with a non-smokers group; determining the clinical variables associated with systemic and pulmonary intimal thickening, and the correlations between systemic and pulmonary remodelling changes.MethodsAll consecutive subjects undergoing lung resection were included and divided into 3 groups: 1) COPD, 2) smokers, and 3) non-smokers. Sections of the 5th intercostal artery and muscular pulmonary arteries were measured by histo-morphometry. Four parameters of intimal thickening were evaluated: 1) percentage of intimal area (%IA), 2) percentage of luminal narrowing, 3) intimal thickness index, and 4) intima-to-media ratio.ResultsIn the adjusted analysis, the systemic arteries of COPD subjects showed greater intimal thickening (%IA) than those of smokers (15.6±1.5% vs. 14.2±1.6%, p = 0.038). In the pulmonary arteries, significant differences were observed for %IA between the 2 groups (37.3±2.2% vs. 29.3±2.3%, p = 0.016). Among clinical factors, metabolic syndrome, gender and COPD status were associated with the systemic intimal thickening, while only COPD status was associated with pulmonary intimal thickening. A correlation between the %IA of the systemic and pulmonary arteries was observed (Spearman’s rho = 0.46, p = 0.008).ConclusionsGreater intimal thickening in systemic and pulmonary arteries is observed in COPD patients than in smokers. There is a correlation between systemic and pulmonary vascular remodelling in the overall population.     

罗格列酮对肺纤维化大鼠肺动脉壁结缔组织生长因子表达的影响

目的:观察过氧化物酶体增殖活化受体γ(PPAR-γ)激动剂罗格列酮(RSG)对肺纤维化大鼠肺动脉壁结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)上调、Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型胶原沉积的影响。方法:48只雄性SD大鼠,随机分为以下4组:博莱霉素(BLM)+生理盐水(NS)组(n=21)、BLM+RSG组(n=9)、NS+NS组(n=9)和NS+RSG组(n=9)。气管内一次性滴注BLM(5mg/kgbw),RSG灌胃(3mg/(kg.d),14d)。整体实验,气管滴注后第14天观察;离体实验,气管滴注BLM后第14天,分离大鼠的肺动脉,并用RSG培养液和单纯培养液孵育(37℃,5%CO2,24h)。结果:在整体水平,与对照大鼠相比,BLM模型大鼠肺动脉壁的CTGF免疫阳性表达增强,CTGF蛋白含量、Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型胶原含量、Ⅰ/Ⅲ胶原比值均增高(均P0.05);RSG能阻止上述指标的异常变化(均P0.05);在离体水平,RSG能阻止BLM模型大鼠肺动脉壁CTGF的上调(P0.05),但对Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型胶原沉积无明显影响(P0.05)。结论:RSG能直接作用于肺动脉壁,阻止肺纤维化大鼠肺动脉壁CTGF的上调,这可能是其减轻动脉壁结构重塑的机制之一。     

Effects of hydrogen sulfide on hypoxic pulmonary vascular structural remodeling

To study the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in hypoxic pulmonary vascular structural remodeling (HPVSR), a total of 24 Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n = 8), hypoxia group (n = 8) and hypoxia with sodium hydrosulfide (hy + NaHS) group (n = 8). The mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), plasma H2S and the percentage of muscularized arteries (MA), partially muscularized arteries (PMA) and nonmuscularized arteries (NMA) in small pulmonary vessels were measured. Collagen I and III, elastin, transforming growth factor-beta3 (TGF-beta3), proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and human urotensin II(U-II) expressions were detected by immunohistochemical assay. The mRNA expressions of procollagen I and III, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinease-1 (TIMP-1) were detected by in situ hybridization. The results showed that NaHS significantly increased plasma H2S, decreased mPAP and the percentage of MA and PMA of small pulmonary vessels in rats under hypoxia. Meanwhile, NaHS inhibited the proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) represented by a decrease in the expressions of PCNA and human U-II in pulmonary artery wall. NaHS reduced the expression of collagen I and III, elastin and TGF-beta3 protein and decreased the expressions of procollagen I and III mRNA in pulmonary arteries of rats under hypoxia, but it did not impact the ratio of TIMP-1 mRNA to MMP-1mRNA in pulmonary arteries of rats under hypoxia. These data suggested that H2S played an important role in the development of HPVSR.