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A quantitative RT-PCR assay of surfactant-associated protein A1 and A2 mRNA transcripts as a diagnostic tool for

Kaori Ishida1, Bao-Li Zhu, Hitoshi Maeda

  • 1Department of Legal Medicine, Osaka City University Medical School, Abeno, Japan. ishida@med.osaka-cu.ac.jp

Legal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|August 26, 2003
PubMed

Insights

The ratio of surfactant protein A (SP-A) gene transcripts, SP-A1 and SP-A2, is significantly elevated in deaths from mechanical asphyxia and drowning. This finding may help identify molecular changes in SP-A related to acute asphyxial fatalities.

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Pathology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Pulmonary surfactant-associated protein A (SP-A) shows increased levels in fatal asphyxiation via immunohistochemistry, but total mRNA levels remain unchanged.
  • SP-A is encoded by two distinct genes, SP-A1 and SP-A2, with differential gene expression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish a quantitative RT-PCR assay for SP-A1 and SP-A2 mRNA transcripts.
  • To investigate the molecular pathology of SP-A in cases of acute mechanical asphyxia and drowning.

Main Methods:

  • Developed a quantitative RT-PCR assay to measure SP-A1 and SP-A2 mRNA levels.
  • Analyzed fatalities from acute mechanical asphyxia (n=12) and drowning (n=9).
  • Compared findings with control groups: acute myocardial infarction (n=11) and brain lacerations (n=6).

Main Results:

  • The SP-A1/A2 mRNA ratio was markedly elevated in mechanical asphyxia (mean 6.72) and drowning (mean 5.64).
  • Control groups showed lower SP-A1/A2 ratios: acute myocardial infarction (mean 2.80) and brain lacerations (mean 2.56).

Conclusions:

  • The SP-A1/A2 mRNA ratio is a potential biomarker for differentiating acute asphyxial deaths.
  • Analysis of the SP-A1/A2 ratio can aid in interpreting molecular alterations of SP-A in asphyxial fatalities.

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