Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To study the expressions of Bax, c_Fos, c_Jun, Caspase_3 and Fas in pulmonary edema induced by phosgene in mice. METHODS: 10 BALB/C mice were divided into control group and phosgene group with 5 mice in each. Mice were exposed to air and phosgene for 5 minutes in control and phosgene group, respectively. Dose of phosgene was 11.9 mg/L. After 4 hours' exposure, all mice were immediately anesthetized. Lungs were fixated by 4％ citromint. The expressions of Bax, c_Fos, c_Jun, caspase_3 and Fas gene were determined by hybridization in situ and immunohistochemistry. We also tested the expression of Fas protein by Western blot. RESULTS: Expressions of Bax, c_Fos, c_Jun, caspase_3, Fas gene and Fas protein increased in pulmonary edema induced by phosgene in mice(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Phosgene could cause induced apoptosis in pulmonary epithelia. It might be regulated by the Fas/FasL pathway.

Key words: phosgene, pulmonary edema, apoptosis,