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Different expression of surfactant protein B mature peptide and proprotein at 21 weeks’ gestation in human fetal pulmonary epithelial cells
Author(s) -
Mori Kazuhiro,
Ikeda Kazushige,
Tanaka Mamoru
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1046/j.1442-200x.2002.01605.x
Subject(s) - pulmonary surfactant , fetus , gestation , medicine , immunohistochemistry , pathology , epithelium , microbiology and biotechnology , andrology , biology , pregnancy , biochemistry , genetics
Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the maturation of pulmonary epithelial cells in human fetal lungs at 21 weeks’ gestation.Methods: Eight fetuses at 21 weeks’ gestation were evaluated. The maturation of pulmonary epithelial cells was assessed by immunohistochemical examination for surfactant proteins and by electron microscopy.Results: Surfactant protein B mature peptide was detected slightly in the epithelial lining of the bronchioles, but was totally absent in the terminal airways. Surfactant protein B proprotein was clearly detected in the epithelial lining of both bronchioles and terminal airways. Transmission electron microscopy of terminal airway cells showed abundant glycogen granules and few intracellular organelles.Conclusions: The production of mature surfactant protein B in terminal airways is scarce at 21 weeks’ gestation, which is associated with the immature mechanism of proprotein processing in the cytoplasm.