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Horm Metab Res 2002; 34(10): 545-549
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-35425
Original Basic
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Foetal Lung Maturation in 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 Knockout Mice

S.  Hundertmark 1 , A.  Dill 1 , A.  Ebert 2 , B.  Zimmermann 5 , Y.  V.  Kotelevtsev 4 , J.  J.  Mullins 4 , J.  R.  Seckl 3
  • 1Laboratory for Experimental Gynaecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinic Benjamin Franklin, Free University Berlin, Germany
  • 2Laboratory for Molecular Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinic Benjamin Franklin, Free University Berlin, Germany
  • 3Molecular Medicine Centre, The University of Edinburgh, UK
  • 4Centre for Genome Research, The University of Edinburgh, UK
  • 5Institute of Anatomy, Free University Berlin, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 16 May 2002

Accepted after revision: 25 July 2002

Publication Date:
19 November 2002 (online)

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Abstract

Glucocorticoids (GCs) induce surfactant synthesis in the late foetal lung. Deficient GC action causes respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) converts inert cortisone (11-dehydrocorticosterone in rodents) into active cortisol (corticosterone), thus amplifying intracellular GC action. Reduction or loss of pulmonary 11β-HSD1 activity in glycyrrhetinic acid-treated rats substantially impaired foetal lung maturation (Hundertmark et al., Horm Metab Res, this issue). To test these data, we investigated 11β-HSD1 activity and lung maturity in the late foetal lung using 11β-HSD1 knockout mice. Control foetal mice showed high 11β-HSD activity in the late foetal lung and levels of plasma 11-dehydrocorticosterone were high. Lungs from 11β-HSD1 -/- mice had lower surfactant protein-A (mRNA and protein) levels and significant depletion of lung surfactant according to both light and electron microscopy, and also had reduced amniotic fluid lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios. These results support the previous experiments with glycyrrhetinic acid and emphasize the importance of 11β-HSD1 in foetal lung maturation.

Key words

1.1.1.146 - 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase - EC - Lung Maturation - Pulmonary Surfactant - Knockout Mice

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