Differential regulation of extracellular matrix molecules by mechanical strain of fetal lung cells

We have previously shown that an intermittent mechanical strain regimen (5% elongation, 60 cycles/min, 15 min/h) that simulates fetal breathing movements stimulated fetal rat lung cell proliferation. Because normal lung growth requires proper coordination between cell proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, we subjected organotypic cultures of fetal rat lung cells (day 19 of gestation, term = 22 days) to this strain regimen and examined alterations in ECM gene and protein expression. Northern analysis revealed that mechanical strain reduced messages for procollagen-alpha1(I) and biglycan and increased the levels of mRNA for collagen-alpha1(IV) and -alpha2(IV), whereas laminin beta-chain mRNA levels remained constant. Regardless of mRNA changes, mechanical strain increased the protein content of type I and type IV collagen as well as of biglycan in the medium. Mechanical strain did not affect gene expression of several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), such as MMP-1 (interstitial collagenase), MMP-2 (gelatinase A), and MMP-3 (stromelysin-1). Neither collagenase nor gelatinase (A and B) activities in conditioned medium were affected by mechanical strain. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase activities in conditioned medium remained unchanged during the 48-h intermittent mechanical stretching. These data suggest that an intermittent mechanical strain differentially regulates gene and protein expression of ECM molecules in fetal lung cells. The observed increase in matrix accumulation appears to be mainly a result of an increased synthesis of ECM molecules and not of decreasing activity of degradative enzymes.