p16Ink4a in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Children

The bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a respiratory disease of the premature child which lead to a reduction of gas exchange surface and to a prolonged respiratory failure. This disease has morphologic and functional consequences at adulthood and is today considered to be an early determinant of respiratory diseases at adulthood. The physiopathology of BPD is not well known. Several mechanisms could be involved especially a reparation failure favored by an increase of cellular senescence which is a permanent stop of cellular proliferation. The transcription factor 16 Ink4a, considered as a marker of aging, is one of the essential markers of senescence. Its increase during prematurity was shown at the blood cells of the cordon, but its involvement in BPD and its evolution in child are not yet studied.