310. Radiat Res. 2002 Feb;157(2):191-8.
Role of CD13/aminopeptidase N in rat lymphocytic alveolitis caused by thoracic
irradiation.
Huang L(1), Tani K, Ogushi F, Ogawa H, Shimizu T, Motoki Y, Moriguchi H, Sone S.
Author information:
(1)Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Tokushima
University, Tokushima, Japan.
CD13/aminopeptidase N is a cell surface glycoprotein that is widely distributed
in a variety of mammalian cells. It was recently shown to have chemotactic
activity for T lymphocytes. This study examined the role of CD13/aminopeptidase N
in lymphocytic alveolitis in radiation-induced lung injury caused by a
single-dose thoracic irradiation (15 Gy) in rats. Significantly increased
aminopeptidase activity was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained
from irradiated rats at 4 weeks after irradiation compared to the activity in
unirradiated rats. Significantly higher aminopeptidase activity was detected on
alveolar macrophages from irradiated rats at 2 and 4 weeks than on those from
unirradiated rats. Western blot analysis showed an increased expression of
CD13/aminopeptidase N protein in alveolar macrophages from irradiated rats at 4
weeks. Chemotactic activity for normal rat lymphocytes was detected in
bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from irradiated rats at 4 weeks, and approximately
60% of the activity was inhibited by pretreatment of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
with bestatin, a specific aminopeptidase inhibitor. This study suggests that
CD13/aminopeptidase N may play an important role as a lymphocyte chemoattractant
in lymphocyte-mediated alveolitis in experimental radiation-induced lung injury.
PMID: 11835683 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]