| First Author | Wagner TE | Year | 2003 |
| Journal | J Histochem Cytochem | Volume | 51 |
| Issue | 10 | Pages | 1307-15 |
| PubMed ID | 14500699 | Mgi Jnum | J:85775 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:2676543 | Doi | 10.1177/002215540305101008 |
| Citation | Wagner TE, et al. (2003) Expression of the integrin subunit alpha8 in murine lung development. J Histochem Cytochem 51(10):1307-15 |
| abstractText | The complex interplay between cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins is critical for lung development. Integrins are key modulators of this interaction. The integrin subunit alpha 8 associates with the beta(1)-subunit to form an RGD-binding integrin. We previously showed that, in adult lung, alpha 8 is expressed in contractile interstitial cells and smooth muscle cells and is upregulated in lung injury. To gain insight into the function of alpha 8 during lung development, we examined the spatiotemporal expression of alpha 8 throughout murine lung development. We compared the distribution of alpha 8 with alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha SMA), fibronectin (alpha 8 ligand), and cytokeratin. alpha 8 co-localized with alpha SMA and fibronectin in the peribronchial and perivascular regions. In all stages, alpha 8 immunoreactivity was detected diffusely in the mesenchyme except for cells surrounding distal, newly forming airways. alpha 8, alpha SMA, and fibronectin co-localized at tips of secondary septae in the alveolar stage. We conclude that alpha 8 is marker for lung mesenchymal cells starting early in development. alpha 8 is also a marker for smooth muscle cells, expressed as early as alpha SMA. Co-localization of alpha 8 with fibronectin suggests a role in branching morphogenesis. Furthermore, alpha 8 may participate in secondary septation by modulating signals from the extracellular matrix to alveolar myofibroblasts. |
