Lung hyaluronan during development: a quantitative and morphological study.

Hyaluronan, an important constituent of developmental interstitium in fetal lungs, mediates cell-to-cell interactions and thereby directs migrating cells. Furthermore, because of the polyionic nature of the molecule, hyaluronan forms open, hydrated matrices that provide channels for migrating cells. This hydrated matrix undergoes contraction before birth. However, continued growth of the lung in the perinatal period requires newly synthesized hyaluronan. This study's purpose was to elucidate the changes in lung hyaluronan concentration and distribution in the perinatal period. We studied rabbits at days -6, -4, -2, -1, 0, +2, and +4 with respect to term, as well as adult rabbits. We found that hyaluronan concentration was highest in the youngest fetuses studied [682 +/- 115 micrograms/g dry wt (means +/- SD)]. However, hyaluronan concentration decreased to 129 +/- 12 micrograms/g dry wt just before birth then returned to 366 +/- 111 micrograms/g dry wt at day +4; these values were similar to adult values. We found hyaluronan staining decreased during late gestation, particularly in the interalveolar region. In the postnatal period, hyaluronan staining increased in the visceral pleura and, to a lesser extent, beneath the epithelium of the bronchioles. Hyaluronan did not reaccumulate in the interalveolar region in the postnatal period. Our data suggest a change in the predominant role of lung hyaluronan during the perinatal period. Before term, hyaluronan facilitates morphogenesis. However, hyaluronan's major role in neonatal lung is most likely in regulation of fluid balance in interstitium.