Hemoglobin expression in rat experimental granulation tissue

J Mol Cell Biol. 2011 Jun;3(3):190-6. doi: 10.1093/jmcb/mjq036. Epub 2010 Nov 8.

Abstract

The general opinion that hemoglobin is only a carrier protein for oxygen and carbon dioxide has been challenged by several recent studies showing hemoglobin expression in other cells than those of the erythroid series, for example, in macrophages. We discovered β-globin expression in rat experimental granulation tissue induced by subcutaneously implanted cellulose sponges. Closer investigation revealed also α-globin expression. The first peak of the biphasic globin expression noticed during granulation tissue formation correlated with the invasion of monocytes/macrophages, whereas the second one seemed to be connected to the appearance of hematopoietic progenitors. Data presented in this study indicate globin expression both in macrophages and in immature erythroid cells as validated by erythroid-specific markers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Erythroid Cells / metabolism
  • Erythropoiesis / genetics
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Granulation Tissue / metabolism*
  • Hemoglobins / genetics
  • Hemoglobins / metabolism*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Male
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • alpha-Globins / genetics
  • alpha-Globins / metabolism
  • beta-Globins / genetics
  • beta-Globins / metabolism

Substances

  • Hemoglobins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • alpha-Globins
  • beta-Globins
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase