Objective To investigate the expression and distribution of the estrogen receptors(ER) in the lung of male rats.Methods The expressions of ER?α mRNA and ER?β mRNA in lung tissues was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),and ER?β protein in lung was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Aside from weak expression of ER?α mRNA,lung tissue showed moderate expression of ER?β mRNA.The positive ER?β immunoreactivity was presented in columnar epithelium,intermediate cells,basal cells,smooth muscle cells of lung tissue and in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells,endothelial cells.Conclusion ER?β is distributed in lung tissue of male rats. |