The role of osteopontin in the pulmonary fibrosis caused by acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats
This work was supported by International cooperation and exchange program of Sichuan science and technology department (No. 2009HH0032): Background: In the later stage of acute lung injury (ALI), lung fibrosis is a common sequel. It results in damage of lung function. But we know little about its pathogenesis. Objective: To investigate the role of osteopontin (OPN) in the pulmonary fibrosis caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. Methods: 120 rats were randomly divided into control group ( n = 40), ALI group ( n = 40), and intervention group ( n = 40). ALI was induced by intraperitoneal injection with LPS on day 0,1 and 2 in ALI group and intervention group. Also, the rats in intervention group were treated with Anti-OPN antibody by intraperitoneal injection after LPS injection. Then10 rats in each group were randomly sacrificed on the 7th, 14th and 28th day. Histological examination and the expression of OPN in the lung tissue were determined. Hydroxyproline and the mRNA levels of type I and IIIcollagen in the lung tissue were measured. Results: Compared with control group, the expression of OPN in ALI group was remarkably higher on 7th,14th and 28th day respectively ( P P P Conclusions: The expression of OPN in the lung tissue of pulmonary fibrosis caused by LPS-induced ALI in rats was increased. OPN could promote the development of lung fibrosis in ALI rats.