DOES APOPTOSIS PLAY A KEY ROLE DURING RAT LUNG DEVELOPMENT?

CAPELARI DN; FUENTES LB; CIUFFO GM

San Luis

Congreso; Soc Biologia de Cuyo; 2009

Soc Biol. Cuyo

Programmed cell death or apoptosis is a process characterized by morphological changes and energy-dependent biochemical mechanisms. It is considered a vital component of various processes including normal cell turnover, remodeling, surveillance, proper development and chemical-induced cell death. Bcl-2 family members determine cell death and survival by controlling mitochondrial membrane ion permeability, cytochrome c release, and the subsequent activation of downstream procaspases. The aim of this study was to investigate mediators of apoptotic signalling during postnatal lung development in rat. Lungs from Wistar rats at four different ages, PND0, PND8, PND15 and PND30 were evaluated. The expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl2 and pro-apoptotic BAX genes was analysed by RT-PCR, and caspase-3 activity was confirmed by Western blot analysis. We observed an up-regulation of the expression of the antiapoptotic Bcl2 at PND8 and PND15 with respect to PND0 and PND30 (ANOVA, P<0.001). Moreover, we observed a constitutive BAX expression during lung development. Proteolysis of procaspase-3 detected by western blot was highest at PND0 and PND30, in correlation with the Bcl2 levels. Our present observations suggest that apoptosis constitutes an important role during rat lung development.