Increased levels of nuclear factor KB and fos-related antigen 1 in lung tissues from patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Context.-Both nuclear factor κB and Fos-related antigen 1 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lung diseases, including acute lung injury/ acute respiratory distress syndrome. Objective.-To evaluate lung tissues from patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome for presence of nuclear factor κB and Fos-related antigen 1. Design.-Lung tissue sections from 5 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and sections of normal lung tissues of 4 patients were stained with antibodies against epithelial cell marker (surfactant protein B) and nuclear factor κB or Fos-related antigen 1. Samples were analyzed using confocal laser microscopy. Results.-We have detected significantly increased levels of activated nuclear factor κB and Fos-related antigen 1 in lung tissues from patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome compared with control tissues, suggesting that these transcription factors undergo activation in lungs of patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusions.-Our data demonstrate that activated nuclear factor κB and Fos-related antigen 1 are elevated in epithelial cells in lung tissues of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.