Increase in dual specificity phosphatase 1, TGF-beta stimulated gene 22, domain family protein 3 and Luc7 homolog (S. cerevisiae)-like messenger RNA after mechanical asphyxiation in the mouse lung.

We investigated the transcriptome profile of mechanical asphyxia and decapitation at 60 min after death using serial analysis of gene expression. After comparing the results, 11 genes were significantly increased by the mechanical asphyxia treatment in the mouse lung. Of those genes, quantitative real-time PCR revealed that dual specificity phosphatase 1 (Dusp1), TGF-beta stimulated gene 22, domain family protein 3 (TSC22d3) and Luc7 homolog (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)-like (Luc7l) after asphyxia were more significantly increased than those after decapitation. Dusp1 inactivated mitogen activated protein kinase, which functions in cell proliferation. However, the consumption of oxygen had a disadvantageous effect on survival, because tissue or cells were not able to produce energy by internal respiration under the suddenly hypoxic condition following asphyxia. The increased transcripts of Dusp1 following asphyxia suppressed oxygen consumption. TSC22d3 was isolated as a TGF-beta-inducible gene and it is also identified as a glucocorticoid (GC)-induced leucine zipper (GILZ). GC was released from the adrenal gland via HPA axis under the hypoxic condition. Especially in acute suffocation, GC rapidly increased. Therefore, the increase in TSC22d3 may be induced by the increased GC following asphyxia. We were unable to clarify the Luc7l increase, because there are no reports in relation to asphyxia. In addition, GILZ mediates the antiproliferative activity of glucocorticoids. We thought that the increasing TSC22d3 may lead to the suppression of oxygen consumption to avoid wasting energy, as in proliferation, the same as the increase in Dusp1. Our data indicated that the determination of the protein product level in the lung could help in diagnosing asphyxia. In addition, these data may contribute to revealing the patho-physiology of asphyxia and to help diagnose asphyxia, including hanging.