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Modulation of t1alpha expression with alveolar epithelial cell phenotype in vitro
Z Borok1, S I Danto, R L Lubman
1Will Rogers Institute Pulmonary Research Center, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.
The American Journal of Physiology
|August 5, 1998
Summary
T1alpha gene expression in rat lung cells is influenced by soluble factors and cell shape. Modulating these factors can alter alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) phenotype, impacting T1alpha levels and suggesting reversible cell transitions.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Gene Expression
Background:
- T1alpha is a gene specifically expressed in adult rat lung alveolar type I (AT1) epithelial cells.
- Alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) can transition between alveolar type II (AT2) and AT1 phenotypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how soluble factors and cell shape influence T1alpha expression in vitro.
- To determine if modulating AEC phenotype affects T1alpha expression and to assess the reversibility of cell transitions.
Main Methods:
- Rat AT2 cells were cultured under various conditions, including different media supplements (serum, KGF) and collagen gel matrices.
- T1alpha expression was quantified using Northern and Western blotting at different time points.
- Cell shape was altered by detaching collagen gels at various stages of culture.
Main Results:
- T1alpha expression increased over time in cultured AECs, indicating a transition towards an AT1 phenotype.
- Exposure to rat serum (RS) or keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) inhibited or reversed T1alpha expression.
- Culturing cells on attached collagen gels promoted T1alpha expression, while detaching the gels inhibited it.
Conclusions:
- Both soluble factors and cell shape significantly modulate T1alpha expression in AECs.
- These modulations occur in parallel with changes in AEC phenotype.
- The findings support the concept that transdifferentiation between AT2 and AT1 cell phenotypes is at least partially reversible.