Abstract
ABSTRACT: To study the role of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in fetal lung development, the distribution of bFGF peptide and FGF receptor (FGF-R) was examined by immunohistochemistry in embryonic and fetal rat lung [d 12 to term (term = 22 d)). Throughout development bFGF was localized to airway epithelial cells, their basement membranes, and their extracellular matrix. FGF-R was also detected in airway epithelial cells, especially in the branching areas, and in interstitial cells as early as d 13. The number of FGF-R immunoreactive cells increased during the embryonic and pseudoglandular stages of lung development, followed by fluctuations in reactivity during the canalicular stage. No FGF-R was detected in tissue from the saccular stage of lung development. The presence of bFGF and FGF-R in developing airway epithelium and mesenchyme is compatible with a role for this growth factor during fetal lung development. In the developing lung, bFGF seems to be sequestered and stored in the extracellular matrix, and may be released at times of need. Furthermore, FGF-R up- and down-regulation offers another mechanism by which the growth of specific cell populations may be controlled during fetal lung development.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Han, R., Liu, J., Tanswell, A. et al. Expression of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor and Receptor: Immunolocalization Studies in Developing Rat Fetal Lung. Pediatr Res 31, 435–440 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199205000-00004
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199205000-00004
This article is cited by
-
Decreased pulmonary c-Cbl expression and tyrosine phosphorylation in the nitrofen-induced rat model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Pediatric Surgery International (2013)
-
Pulmonary FGF-18 gene expression is downregulated during the canalicular-saccular stages in nitrofen-induced hypoplastic lungs
Pediatric Surgery International (2013)
-
Expression of Sproutys and SPREDs is decreased during lung branching morphogenesis in nitrofen-induced pulmonary hypoplasia
Pediatric Surgery International (2013)
-
Upregulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 and 3 in the late stages of fetal lung development in the nitrofen rat model
Pediatric Surgery International (2012)
-
Structure and epitope distribution of heparan sulfate is disrupted in experimental lung hypoplasia: a glycobiological epigenetic cause for malformation?
BMC Developmental Biology (2011)