Pulmonary epithelial cell maturation in hyperplastic lungs associated withfetal tracheal agenesis

Background/Purpose: Cellular differentiation of pulmonary hyperplasia has n ot been reported in human cases. The authors studied surfactant protein exp ression and ultrastructure of pulmonary epithelial cells in fetal hyperplas tic lungs associated with congenital tracheal agenesis. Methods: The maturation of pulmonary epithelial cells was assessed by immun ohistochemical examination for surfactant proteins (SP-A, mature SP-B, proS P-B, proSP-C, and SP-D) and transmission electron microscopy. As controls n ormal lung portions of 8 fetuses born at 21 weeks gestation were used. Results. Mature SP-B and SP-D was detected in terminal airways in this case , but not in controls. In electron microscopy, lamellar bodies were recogni zed, and glycogen granules were less abundant in terminal airway cells. Conclusion: The differentiation of pulmonary epithelial cells appeared to b e more advanced for the gestational age in pulmonary hyperplasia with conge nital tracheal agenesis. Copyright (C) 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.