Changes of ICAM-1 expression in transplanted lung at the early stage after rat pulmonary transplantation

Objective To study the changes of ICAM-1 expression in transplanted lung at the early stage after rat pulmonary transplantation.Methods The expression level of ICAM-1 protein and its mRNA in rat transplanted lung after 4 h of ventilation and reperfussion were detected by using immunohisto chemical method(SABC method)and semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase reaction method in the experimental group(n=6).When donor lungs had been flushed with low potassium solution(LPDS) and preserved in 4.C LPDS for 12 h,left orthotopic pulmonary transplantation was performed.In control group (n=6), left pulmonary artery,pulmonary vein and bronchi were fully freed to be naked.Immunohistochemical test results were recorded in negative(-),suspicion(±),faint positive(+),positive(++)and intensive positive(+++).PCR products were separated by agrose gels and the density of the bands were determined by density scanning.Results The stained color of alveolar epithelial cells and pulmonary vascular endothdial cells in the transplanted lung was significantly more intensive in experimental group than in control group(P＜0.01) and the relative density values(ICAM-1/βactin)were also significandy higher in experimental group(0.837±0.044) than in control group (0.442±0.037),P＜0.01. Conclusions ICAM-1 expression in the transplanted lung was up-regulated in the early stage after pulmonary transplantation,which was related with the enhancement of ICAM-1 mRNA. Key words: Lung transplanted; ICAM-l expression