Evaluation of Desmin, α-SMA and hTERT expression in pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary fi brosis is a clinical problem with an enigmatic etiology with no effective therapy. Current therapies for lung fi brosis are ineffective for progression of lung fi brosis and preventing respiratory failure. Objectives:The aim of this study is to explore the expression of Desmin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and the telomerase subunit: human telomerase reverse transcriptase (h-TERT) in a spectrum of lung tissue samples consist of lung fi brosis, lung cancer, and healthy controls. Materials and Methods:The expression of Desmin, α-SMA and hTERT were studied in samples of 15 pulmonary fi brosis samples, 16 samples of lung cancer and 14 healthy controls investigated. We evaluated Desmin, α-SMA as well as the expression of components of telomerase (TERT), by methods: RNA Extraction and cDNA synthesis, Real-Time quantitative PCR, Immunohistochemistry, all prepared from lung tissue paraffi n blocked.Results: α-SMA marker detected 1(8.3%) of healthy control and 11(91.7%) of lung fi brosis samples. The difference between groups was signifi cant (p<0.001). Also the difference between healthy control 1(6.7%) and lung cancer 14 (93.3%) for α-SMA marker was a signifi cant (P<0.001). It was a signifi cant difference between healthy control and lung cancer for TERT expression (P=.005). TERT was not positive in any sample of neither healthy control nor lung fi brosis. For TERT, it was a signifi cant difference between lung fi brosis and lung cancer by Fisher's Exact Test (P=.004). Expression of TERT and α-SMA between small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was not statistically signifi cant (P=.700, P=0758), respectively. Conclusions:We recommend more investigation to regard α-SMA, Desmin in patients with lung fi brosis and follow them for possible cancer risk. Also, more study is needed to regard TERT as a marker in lung cancer. Assessment of these markers may have future implication to explain the same way of pathogenesis and carcinogenesis of fi brosis and cancer and for prevention or treatment.