Abstract
Thioredoxin (TRX) /adult T-cell leukemia derived factor (ADF) displays various biological activities including a radical scavenging activity. However, the role of TRX in preventing reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) -induced acute lung injury has not been determined. In the present study, we examined the expression of TRX in bleomycin (BLM) -treated mice in order to clarify the protective role of TRX in preventing ROIs-induced acute lung injury. Immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization revealed that TRX expression in BLM-treated mice was strongly induced in the bronchial epithelium and in alveolar type II cells showing more resistance to BLM-induced cell cytotoxicity than other types of cells. In addition, TRX expression, but not that of MnSOD, catalase or GSH-PX, was enhanced in BLM-stimulated bronchial epithelial cell lines (BEAS-2B) in vitro. These results indicate that TRX plays a central role in preventing ROIs-mediated acute lung injury.
