Expression of cell apoptosis and the change of Fas/FasL gene in epithelial cells in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Objective To investigate the changes and significance of cell apoptosis,Fas/FasL mRNA and protein in epithelial cells in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.Methods TUNEL,immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to detect the change of cell apoptosis,Fas/FasL mRNA and protein in 12 lung tissues from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF group) and 10 normal lung parenchyma specimens(control group).Results Compared with control group,the apoptosis index in alveolar epithelial cells and bronchial cells of IPF group was higher(P0.01).The expression of Fas,FasL mRNA and protein in the pulmonary fibrosis group was higher than that of control group(P0.01).There was no statistical correlation of the apoptosis index,Fas/FasL mRNA and protein expression(P0.05).Conclusion The apoptosis index of epithelial cells,Fas/FasL mRNA and protein are up-regulated in epithelial cells in lung tissue of pulmonary fibrosis,which may play an important role in the development of the disease.