Protective effects of SOD2 overexpression in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on lung injury induced by acute paraquat poisoning in rats

Publication date: Available online 12 October 2018Source: Life SciencesAuthor(s): Li-chun Zhang, Yu Wang, Wei Liu, Xue-min Zhang, Miao Fan, Min ZhaoAbstractAimsTo study the protective effects and mechanisms of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) and overexpression of antioxidant gene SOD2 on lung injury by establishing a rat model of paraquat (PQ)-induced lung injury.Main methodsThe hUCMSCs cell line overexpressed SOD2 was established. After intraperitoneal injection of PQ solution (24 mg/kg) 3 h later, the different groups of hUCMSCs cell lines were injected through the tail veins of rats. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained to determine the protein level of inflammatory cytokines. Lung tissues were collected to test the wet/dry weight ratios (W/D), oxidative stress index and lung injury scores. Western blotting was used to detect SOD1, SOD2, HO-1, Nrf2, NF-κBp65 subunit, and cleaved caspase-3.Key findingsAfter treatment with cells built on the basis of hUCMSCs, the protein levels of TNF-α, IL-8, and ICAM-1 in BALF decreased, and meanwhile in lung tissues, MDA content was reduced, GSH-Px activity was elevated, and lung W/D ratio decreased. Additionally, protein expression of NF-κB p65 subunit and activated caspase-3 in lung tissues was down-regulated, whereas expression of SOD1, SOD2, HO-1, and Nrf-2 were up-regulated. The results of HE staining showed that lung injury was significantly alleviated in the hUCMSC treated group. It is notic...
Source: Life Sciences - Category: Biology Source Type: research