Immunohistochemical detection and regulation of α5 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits by FoxA2 during mouse lung organogenesis

Respiratory Research

关键词: alpha 5;    development;    epithelium;    lung;    nAChR;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1465-9921-12-82

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

Background

α₅ nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits structurally stabilize functional nAChRs in many non-neuronal tissue types. The expression of α₅ nAChR subunits and cell-specific markers were assessed during lung morphogenesis by co-localizing immunohistochemistry from embryonic day (E) 13.5 to post natal day (PN) 20. Transcriptional control of α₅ nAChR expression by FoxA2 and GATA-6 was determined by reporter gene assays.

Results

Steady expression of α₅ nAChR subunits was observed in distal lung epithelial cells during development while proximal lung expression significantly alternates between abundant prenatal expression, absence at PN4 and PN10, and a return to intense expression at PN20. α₅ expression was most abundant on luminal edges of alveolar type (AT) I and ATII cells, non-ciliated Clara cells, and ciliated cells in the proximal lung at various periods of lung formation. Expression of α₅ nAChR subunits correlated with cell differentiation and reporter gene assays suggest expression of α₅ is regulated in part by FoxA2, with possible cooperation by GATA-6.

Conclusions

Our data reveal a highly regulated temporal-spatial pattern of α₅ nAChR subunit expression during important periods of lung morphogenesis. Due to specific regulation by FoxA2 and distinct identification of α₅ in alveolar epithelium and Clara cells, future studies may identify possible mechanisms of cell differentiation and lung homeostasis mediated at least in part by α₅-containing nAChRs.

【 授权许可】

Unknown