Effect of keratinocyte growth factor on growth and transdifferentiation of primary alveolar epithelial type II cells

To investigate the effects of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) on the growth and transdifferentiation of primary alveolar epithelial type II cells (AECIIs).

The number of primary AECIIs, their viability, and cell cycle and apoptosis were studied under KGF treatment using a hemocytometer, trypan blue exclusion, and flow cytometry, respectively. Positive expressions of surfactant protein C (SP-C), aquaporin 5 (AQP5), and thyroid transcription factor 1(TTF-1) were examined with indirect immunofluorescence; mRNA levels of SP-C, AQP5, and TTF-1 were determined by polymerase chain reaction.

In response to KGF treatment, cell numbers were significantly increased, more cells were blocked in the S phase, and fewer cells were apoptotic or necrotic on days 2 and 4, but there was little effect on cell viability. In addition, KGF treatment resulted in higher levels of SP-C on days 2 and 8 while lowering them on day 4, higher levels of AQP5 on day 4 while lowering them on day 8, and higher levels of TTF-1 on days 2, 6, and 8.

KGF treatment promoted proliferation of AECIIs, inhibited cell apoptosis, promoted transdifferentiation of AECIIs, and induced alveolar epithelial type I cells to revert to AECIIs.