Role of insulin-like growth factor II receptor in transdifferentiation of free silica-induced primary rat lung fibroblasts

Abstract

Objective: To study the role of insulin-like growth factor II receptor in free silica-induced transdifferentiation of primary rat lung fibroblasts.

Methods: Rat lung fibroblasts and rat alveolar macrophages were cultured. A transdifferentiation model of primary rat lung fibroblasts was induced by free silica. Levels of α-SMA protein, IGF-IIR protein and mRNA were measured by immunocytochemistry, Western blot and RT-PCR, respectively. Lung fibroblasts were treated with Wortmannin.

Results: The expression levels of α-SMA and IGF-IIR increased with the increasing free silica concentration and decreased after Wortmannin was used.

Conclusion: The IGF-IIR plays an important role in free silica-induced transdifferentiation of primary rat lung fibroblasts.

Keywords: Insulin-like growth factor II receptor; Lung fibroblasts; Silicosis; Transdifferentiation.