Journal article

Publication year: 2009

Pages: 424-436

Journal: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine

Volume number: 180

Issue number: 5

ISSN: 1073-449X

eISSN: 1535-4970

Open access status: Green

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.200811-1794OC

Publisher: American Thoracic Society

Abstract: 

Rationale Fibroblast growth factor-10 (FGF10) controls survival, proliferation, and differentiation of distal-alveolar epithelial progenitor cells during lung development.

Objectives: To test for the protective and regenerative effect of Fgf10 overexpression in a bleomycin-induced mouse model of pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis.

Methods: In SP-C-rtTA; tet(O)Fgf10 double-transgenic mice, lung fibrosis was induced in 2-month-old transgenic mice by subcutaneous delivery of bleomycin (BLM), using an osmotic minipump for 1 week. Exogenous Fgf10 expression in the alveolar epithelium was induced for 7 days with doxycycline during the first, second, and third weeks after bleomycin pump implantation, and lungs were examined at 28 days.

Measurements and Main Results: Fgf10 overexpression during Week I (inflammatory phase) resulted in increased survival and attenuated lung fibrosis score and Collagen deposition. In these Fgf10-overexpressing mice, an increase in regulatory T cells and a reduction in both transforming growth factor-beta(1) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity were observed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids whereas the number of surfactant protein C (SP-C)-positive, alveolar epithelial type II cells (AEC2) was markedly elevated. Analysis of SP-C and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase dUTP nick end labeling) double-positive cells and isolation of AEC2 from lungs overexpressing Fgf10 demonstrated increased AEC2 survival. Expression of Fgf10 during Weeks 2 and 3 (fibrotic phase) showed significant attenuation of the lung fibrosis score and Collagen deposition.

Conclusions: In the bleomycin model of lung inflammation and fibrosis, Fgf10 overexpression during both the inflammatory and fibrotic phases results in a greatly reduced extent of lung fibrosis, suggesting that FGF10 may be useful as a novel approach to the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Harvard Citation style: Gupte, V., Ramasamy, S., Reddy, R., Lee, J., Weinreb, P., Violette, S., et al. (2009) Overexpression of Fibroblast Growth Factor-10 during Both Inflammatory and Fibrotic Phases Attenuates Bleomycin-induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 180(5), pp. 424-436. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.200811-1794OC

APA Citation style: Gupte, V., Ramasamy, S., Reddy, R., Lee, J., Weinreb, P., Violette, S., Guenther, A., Warburton, D., Driscoll, B., Minoo, P., & Bellusci, S. (2009). Overexpression of Fibroblast Growth Factor-10 during Both Inflammatory and Fibrotic Phases Attenuates Bleomycin-induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 180(5), 424-436. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.200811-1794OC