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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Oropharyngeal Administration of Bleomycin in the Murine Model of Pulmonary Fibrosis
Published on: May 9, 2025
Activation of somatostatin receptors attenuates pulmonary fibrosis
Background And Aim:
Somatostatin analogues may have antifibrotic properties in the lung. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of the five somatostatin receptors sst1 to sst5 in normal and fibrotic mouse lung and the action of SOM230 (pasireotide), a new somatostatin analogue with a long half-life, in bleomycin induced lung fibrosis and in human lung fibroblasts in vitro.
Methods:
After intratracheal injection of bleomycin, C57Bl6 male mice received one daily subcutaneous injection of SOM230 or saline. The lungs were evaluated on days 3, 7 and 14 after administration of bleomycin.
Results:
We found that all somatostatin receptors were expressed in the normal mouse lung. The sst2 receptor mRNA expression was increased after bleomycin. SOM230 improved mice survival (69% vs 44%; p = 0.024), reduced lung collagen content at day 14 and decreased lung collagen-1 mRNA at day 7. SOM230 reduced bronchoalveolar lavage inflammatory cell influx at day 3, decreased lung connective tissue growth factor mRNA and transforming growth factor (TGF) beta mRNA and increased lung hepatocyte growth factor and keratinocyte growth factor mRNA. The sst2 receptor was strongly expressed in the human lung (normal or fibrotic), particularly by fibroblasts. In vitro, SOM230 reduced BrdU incorporation by control human lung fibroblasts cultured under basal conditions or with TGFbeta, and reduced alpha-1 collagen-1 mRNA expression in TGFbeta stimulated fibroblasts.
Conclusion:
We conclude that SOM230 attenuates bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice and human lung fibroblasts activation. This study points to a potential new approach for treating pulmonary fibrotic disorders.
Insights
Somatostatin analogue SOM230 reduced lung fibrosis in mice and human cells. This suggests a potential new treatment for pulmonary fibrotic disorders.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary medicine
- Pharmacology
- Fibrosis research
Background:
- Somatostatin analogues show potential antifibrotic effects in lung tissue.
- The expression of somatostatin receptors (sst1-sst5) in normal and fibrotic mouse lungs requires investigation.
- The efficacy of SOM230 (pasireotide), a novel somatostatin analogue, in treating lung fibrosis needs evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess somatostatin receptor expression in mouse lungs.
- To determine the antifibrotic effects of SOM230 in a bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model.
- To investigate the in vitro effects of SOM230 on human lung fibroblasts.
Main Methods:
- Bleomycin was administered intratracheally to mice, followed by daily SOM230 or saline injections.
- Lung tissues were analyzed at 3, 7, and 14 days post-bleomycin administration.
- In vitro studies involved human lung fibroblasts treated with SOM230 under basal and TGF-beta stimulated conditions.
Main Results:
- All somatostatin receptors were expressed in normal mouse lungs; sst2 mRNA increased post-bleomycin.
- SOM230 improved survival, reduced lung collagen, and modulated growth factor mRNA levels in mice.
- SOM230 decreased fibroblast proliferation and collagen production in vitro.
Conclusions:
- SOM230 demonstrates significant antifibrotic activity in a mouse model of lung fibrosis.
- The study highlights the potential of SOM230 as a therapeutic agent for pulmonary fibrotic diseases.
- Further research into somatostatin analogues for treating lung fibrosis is warranted.
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