Induction of ICAM-1 expression on alveolar epithelial cells during lung development in rats and humans

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is an adhesion protein involved in immune and inflammatory cell recruitment and activation. In normal, uninflamed adult rat lung, ICAM-1 is expressed at high levels on type I alveolar epithelial cells and is minimally expressed on type II cells. ICAM-1 expression by alveolar epithelial cells in vitro is a function of the state of cellular differentiation, and is regulated by factors influencing cell shape. Based upon this observation, we hypothesized that ICAM-1 expression by fetal lung epithelial cells is developmentally regulated. To investigate this hypothesis, rat and human lung tissues were obtained at time points that represent the canalicular, saccular, and alveolar stages of development. The relative expression of ICAM-1 protein and mRNA were determined in rat lungs from gestational days 18 and 21 (term = 22 days), from day 8 neonatal rats, and from adult rats. ICAM-1 protein was detectable at low level on day 18 and increased progressively during development. Relative expression of ICAM-1 protein was maximal in adult lung. Expression of ICAM-1 mRNA paralleled that of ICAM-1 protein. By immunohistochemical methods in rat and human lung, ICAM-1 was expressed at low level on cuboidal and flattening epithelial cells in the developing alveolar space at the canalicular and saccular stages; however, ICAM-1 expression was increased as epithelial cells spread and flattened during alveolarization. ICAM-1 was predominantly expressed on type I cells rather than type II cells at the alveolar stage in both the rat and human lungs. Thus, relative ICAM-1 expression progressively increased during lung development. ICAM-1 expression is correlated with the increase in surface area as alveolar structures develop and type I cell differentiation takes place. These data indicate that alveolar epithelial cell ICAM-1 expression is developmentally regulated.