Organ-specific expression of protective proteins under the conditions of dust exposure to the body (experimental study)

The objective of the study was to evaluate the organ-specific features of the expression of protective proteins of the HSP family in response to prolonged dust exposure in an experiment. Material and methods. The experiments were performed on 60 male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g. The animals were divided into groups: rats inhaled coal-rock dust in the priming dust chamber for 4 hours daily for 6 weeks (average concentration 50 mg/m 3 ), and the control rats (they were in an equal volume chamber, where the same temperature and air exchange conditions were maintained, but without the supply of coal-rock dust). In the cytoplasmic fraction of the lungs, heart, liver, and brain, the levels of HSP72 and heme oxygenase-1 (HOx-1) were determined by Western blot analysis. Results. The prolonged exposure of coal-rock dust to the body changed the level of intracellular proteins HSP72 and HOx-1 in the lungs, heart, liver, and brain. An increase in both HSP72 and HOx-1 levels occurred in the lungs and brain tissue; a significant increase in HOx-1 was recorded in the heart and HSP72 in the liver. These data indicate the organ-specific expression of intracellular proteins during dust exposure to the body. The following molecular mechanisms are involved in the development of the response to prolonged inhalation of coal-rock dust: 1) in the lungs and brain - both stress (HSP72) and hypoxic (HOx-1) components; 2) in the heart - a hypoxic component, manifested by the intensive synthesis of HOx-1 throughout the study period; 3) in the liver - a stress component due to significant expression of HSP72, which is associated with the manifestation of a protective effect for both the organ itself and the body as a whole. Conclusion. The results obtained indicate the organ-specificity of the cellular response of the body to the prolonged exposure to industrial dust. A change in the expression level of HSP72 and HOx-1 characterizes the degree of protection of organs from damage caused by inhalation of coal-rock dust, which grows in the series as liver < heart < lungs and brain.