Expression profile of androgen-modulated microRNAs in the fetal murine lung.

Background: Androgens are known to delay lung development. As a consequence, the incidence and morbidity of respiratory distress syndrome of the neonate are higher for male than for female premature infants. We previously reported that many genes were expressed with a sex difference in the mouse developing lung and that several genes were under the control of androgens in the male fetal lung.

CYP21A2 expression is localized in the developing distal epithelium of the human perinatal lung and is compatible with in situ production and intracrine actions of active glucocorticoids.

Glucocorticoids play essential roles in lung development. We investigated for expression of CYP21A2 (21-hydroxylase) as well as for the presence of the corresponding protein and identification of CYP21A2-expressing cells in several human developing lungs. Expression of some related genes was also assessed.

Identification of most stable endogenous control genes for microRNA quantification in the developing mouse lung.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non coding RNAs acting as negative regulators. miRNA are involved in lung development and pulmonary diseases. Measurement of their levels by qPCR is directly influenced by the stability of normalization gene(s), which can be affected by the experimental conditions.