Expression of IL-28B mRNA in lung tissues of mice with experimental pulmonary fibrosis

Objective: To determine the expressions of Interleukin 28B(IL-28B)in lung tissues of mice with pulmonary fibrosis(PF) induced by bleomycin at various periods and to study the effects of the cytokine in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.Methods: Seventy two male mice were randomly divided into three groups: control group(n=24),model group(n=24) and therapy group(n=24).The mice of control group were treated with normal saline by intratracheal instillation,while the mice of model group and therapy group treated with bleomycin solutions.From the first day after bleomycin challenge,the therapy group was perfused into stomach prednisone daily.On day 7,14,21,28 after administration,6 mice of each group were sacrificed and the lung tissues were harvested.The expressions of IL-28B mRNA in lung tissue of mice were detected by method of RT-PCR.Results: The expressions of IL-28B mRNA detected in lung tissue of model group were higher than that of control group on the 7,14,21th day,and peaked on the 14th day.The expressions of the therapy group on the 7,14,21th day were lower than that of the model group.Conclusion: IL-28B may contribute to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis in early period.