Apoptosis and DNA damage in type 2 alveolar epithelial cells cultured from hyperoxic rats

Research was conducted to examine the apoptosis and DNA damage in type 2 alveolar epithelial cells cultured from hyperoxic rats. Adult male rats were treated with >90% humidified oxygen for 48 h and isolated AEC2 from the lungs of oxygen-treated and control rats. Results indicate that keratinocyte growth factor plays an important role as a survival factor in AEC2 by limiting apoptosis in the lung after acute hyperoxic injury.