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Updated: Aug 29, 2026

A Silicosis Mouse Model Established by Repeated Inhalation of Crystalline Silica Dust
Published on: January 6, 2023
[Immunohistochemical method for the detecting expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 in lung tissues of
Wen-jie Ji1, Lei Yang, Jia-shun Ding
1Institute of Occupational Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Objective:
To investigate the protein expression of transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) in lung tissues of silica-treated mice.
Methods:
The experimental mice were divided into control and silica groups. 0.2 g/kg body weight of silica was injected intratracheally in mice of silica group. Samples of lung tissue were collected 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 28 d after injection. The immunohistochemical method was used to analyze the protein expression of TGF-beta(1).
Results:
In control mice, the expression of TGF-beta(1) in lung tissue was slightly positive while it was markedly increased in silica-treated mice. The expression was significantly elevated from the 7th day to 14th day. The expression in alveolar macrophages reached the peak on the 5th day [(93.4% +/- 2.8%) vs (42.2% +/- 12.0%), P < 0.01].
Conclusion:
TGF-beta(1) may play an important role in early development of silicosis.
