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Effects of nicotine on pulmonary surfactant proteins A and D in ovine lung epithelia
Author(s) -
Lazic Tatjana,
Matic Milan,
Gallup Jack M.,
Van Geelen Albert,
Meyerholz David K.,
Grubor Branka,
Imerman Paula M.,
deMacedo Marcia M.M.A.,
Ackermann Mark R.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
pediatric pulmonology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.866
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1099-0496
pISSN - 8755-6863
DOI - 10.1002/ppul.21153
Subject(s) - medicine , lung , nicotine , pulmonary surfactant , pathology , biochemistry , biology
Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases the incidence and severity of respiratory infections in neonates. Surfactant proteins A and D (SP‐A and SP‐D, respectively) are components of pulmonary innate immunity and have an important role in defense against inhaled pathogens. The purpose of this study was to determine if nicotine exposure during the third trimester of pregnancy alters the expression of SP‐A and SP‐D of fetal lung epithelia. Pregnant ewes were assigned to four groups; a nicotine‐exposed full‐term and pre‐term group, and control full‐term and pre‐term group. Lung tissue was collected for Western blot and IHC analysis of SP‐A level, Western blot analysis of SP‐D level and qPCR analysis of SP‐A and SP‐D mRNA expression. Exposure to nicotine significantly decreased SP‐A gene expression ( P = 0.01) and SP‐A protein level in pre‐term lambs. This finding suggests that maternal nicotine exposure during the last trimester of pregnancy alters a key component of lung innate immunity in offspring. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:255–262. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.