Objective    To study the expression changes of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein E1 (hnRNP-E1) in the lung tissues after acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in rats and its effects on the metabolism of collagen.     Methods    The Wistar rat model of acute PE was established by injecting 3-4 emboli into the left jugular vein. The lung tissue samples were collected at day 1

2

7 and 21 after acute PE

then the total RNA and total proteins were obtained. The normal rats were used as control. The mRNA level changes of hnRNP-E1 were identified by semi-quantitative RT-PCR

and its protein level changes were validated by Western blot. The relative amounts of steady state Collagen α1(Ⅰ) (COL1A1) and Collagen α1(Ⅲ)(COL3A1) mRNA in the lung tissues after acute PE were analyzed by Northern blot. Hydroxyproline (HYP) determination and Masson dyeing were employed to observe the deposition of collagen in the lung tissues 3 weeks after acute PE.     Results    At different time points

the mRNA levels and the protein levels of hnRNP-E1 increased gradually in the rat lung tissues after acute PE. The mRNA levels of COL1A1 increased steadily after acute PE

but those of COL3A1 had no changes. The deposition of collagen in the lung tissues increased obviously 3 weeks after acute PE.     Conclusion    The expression of hnRNP-E1 is up-regulated after acute PE. It might facilitate the deposition of collagen in the lung tissues.