Modulation of pan-cadherin expression in alveolar epithelial cells of mini pigs with pulmonary fibrosis.

The expression of pan-cadherin was investigated immunohistochemically in normal and irradiated mini pig lungs. Using a double labelling immunofluorescence technique, pan-cadherin expression was also compared with that of cytokeratin 18, which is selectively present in type II cells. In untreated animals pan-cadherin was detected in type I pneumocytes, in alveolar macrophages and in endothelial cells of larger blood vessels. Radiation caused increased pan-cadherin immunoreactivity of bronchial epithelial cells and interstitial cells. In addition, pan-cadherin expression was induced in type II pneumocytes. These changes in the distribution of epithelial cadherin molecules may implicate a role of cadherins for epithelial remodeling in response to radiation-induced lung injury.