The receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility (RHAMM) expression in neonatal bronchiolar epithelium correlates negatively with lung air content

• Introduction: The receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility (RHAMM) may have an important role in lung development. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of hyaluronan (HA) content and RHAMM during postnatal lung development by analyzing human lung specimens from ventilated newborn infants with a variety of lung diseases at different gestational and postnatal ages.Materials and methods: Ninety four patient samples were evaluated. RHAMM expression was studied by immunohistochemistry combined with digital image analysis. Cluster analysis was performed to find subgroups according to immuno-histological and clinical data.  We present a computerized method that describes the air content of the lung by determining the fraction of the parenchyma-covered area in lung sections. HA content was estimated by radiometric assay.Results: The patients could be sorted into groups by hierarchical clustering. Five of six groups showed individual patterns according to RHAMM expression and HA content. Negative correlation was observed between air content and RHAMM expression in the bronchiolar epithelium irrespective of clustered groups. Lung hypoplasia appeared in two distinctive groups, with significant differences in lung development and RHAMM expression.Conclusions: RHAMM expression may show dynamic changes during pathological processes in the neonatal lung.  The distribution of RHAMM in the lung tissue is heterogeneous with a predominance to the bronchiolar epithelium. We found a negative correlation between lung air content and RHAMM expression in bronchiolar epithelium.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Pediatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Pediatrics (hsv//eng)

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Pediatrik

Pediatrics

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