Targeted deletion of Jun/AP-1 in alveolar epithelial cells causes progressive emphysema and worsens cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation.

ABSTRACT: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease appears to occur slowly and progressively over many years, with both genetic factors and environmental modifiers contributing to its pathogenesis. Although the c-Jun/activator protein 1 transcriptional factor regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses, its role in lung pathogenesis is largely unknown. In this study, we report decreased expression levels of c-Jun mRNA and protein in the lung tissues of patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and the genetic deletion of c-Jun specifically in alveolar epithelial cells causes progressive emphysema with lung inflammation and alveolar air space enlargement, which are cardinal features of emphysema. Although mice lacking c-Jun specifically in lung alveolar epithe

SUBMITTER: Reddy NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3349866 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature