Study on the mechanism of HE4 in hyperoxia-induced alveolar damage in rats

Objective: This study investigated the mechanism of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) in hyperoxia-induced alveolar damage in rats. Methods: The pathological changes of SD rat lung tissue were detected by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Plasma protein levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of mRNA was detected by real-time RT-PCR. Results: Hyperoxia intervention within 7 days could induce acute lung injury in neonatal SD rats. Hyperoxia induction can increase HE4, MMP9 and TIMP1 in plasma and tissue of neonatal SD rats. By overexpressing and silencing HE4 gene in neonatal rat primary alveolar type II epithelial cells, we found that HE4 protein activates the phosphorylation of ERK and p65, activates the downstream MMP9 signaling pathway, inhibits MMP9 mRNA expression, inhibits protein activity, and reduces COLI degradation, increases collagen secretion, promoting matrix remodeling and fibrosis. Conclusion: HE4 mediates the pathophysiological process of hyperoxia-induced lung injury in rats through ERK, MMP9 and TIMP1 signaling pathways. HE4 overexpression mediates lung basal remodeling and lung injury. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.