Role of transcriptional factor Nrf2 in the acute lung injury of mice.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the expression and role of Nrf2 in the acute lung injury (ALI) of mice. METHODS A total of 60 BABL/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups: ALI group and control group. In ALI group, ALI was introduced by injection of LPS. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect Nrf2 expression in the lung; Western blot assay was employed to detect the expression of Nrf2 in the lung homogenate; ELISA was conducted to detect the expression of Nrf2 in the lung homogenate and BALF. RESULTS As compared to control group, ALI mice had a high Nrf2 expression in the lung as shown in immunohistochemistry, and the Nrf2 expression in the lung homogenate and BALF also increased markedly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The Nrf2 expression increases in the lung and BALF of ALI mice, suggesting that Nrf2 is involved in the inflammation during ALI and may serve as a new target in the therapy of ALI.