Biomedical subjects

Y Tian

Publications and source records attributed to Y Tian.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Vasopressin V2 receptor binding is down-regulated during renal escape from vasopressin-induced antidiuresis.

This study evaluated whether renal escape from vasopressin-induced antidiuresis is associated with alterations of vasopressin V2 receptor binding in the kidney inner medulla. A radioligand binding assay was developed using a novel iodinated vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist to analyze vasopressin V2 receptor binding in kidney inner medullary tissue from three groups of rats: normal rats maintained on ad libitum water intake, rats treated with 1-deamino-[8-D-arginine]vasopressin (DDAVP), and rats treated with DDAVP that were also water loaded to induce renal escape from antidiuresis. Analysis of the binding data showed that DDAVP treatment reduced vasopressin V2 receptor binding to 72% of normal levels. Water loading induced a marked further down-regulation of vasopressin V2 receptor binding. This receptor down-regulation began by day 2 of water loading, which correlated with the initiation of renal vasopressin escape; by day 3 of water loading, vasopressin V2 receptor expression fell to 43% of DDAVP-treated levels. No differences in vasopressin V2 receptor binding affinities were found among the three groups. This study demonstrates that vasopressin V2 receptor binding capacity is down-regulated during renal escape from vasopressin-induced antidiuresis and suggests that both vasopressin-dependent mechanisms as well as vasopressin-independent mechanisms associated with water loading are involved in this receptor down-regulation.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Estradiol attenuates angiotensin-induced aldosterone secretion in ovariectomized rats.

Estrogen replacement therapy significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. Previous studies indicate that estradiol (E2) decreases angiotensin II (AT) receptor density in the adrenal and pituitary in NaCl-loaded rats. We used an in vivo model that eliminates the potentially confounding influence of ACTH to determine whether the E2-induced decrease in adrenal AT receptor expression affects aldosterone responses to angiotensin II (Ang II). Female rats were ovariectomized, treated with oil (OVX) or E2 (OVX+E2; 10 microg, s.c.) for 14 days, and fed a NaCl-deficient diet for the last 7 days to maximize adrenal AT receptor expression and responsiveness. On days 12-14 rats were treated with dexamethasone (DEX; 25 microg, i.p., every 12 h) to suppress plasma ACTH. On day 14 aldosterone secretion was measured after a 30-min infusion of Ang II (330 ng/min). Ang II infusion increased the peak plasma aldosterone levels to a lesser degree in the OVX+E2 than in the OVX rats (OVX, 1870 +/- 290 pg/ml; OVX+E2, 1010 +/- 86 pg/ml; P < 0.05). Ang II-induced ACTH and aldosterone secretion was also studied in rats that were not treated with DEX. In the absence of DEX, the peak plasma aldosterone response was also significantly decreased (OVX, 5360 +/- 1200 pg/ml; OVX+E2, 2960 +/- 570 pg/ml; P < 0.05). However, E2 also reduced the plasma ACTH response to Ang II (P < 0.05; OVX, 220 +/- 29 pg/ml; OVX+E2, 160 +/- 20 pg/ml), suggesting that reduced pituitary ACTH responsiveness to Ang II contributes to the effect of E2 on Ang II-induced aldosterone secretion. Adrenal AT1 binding studies confirmed that E2 significantly reduces adrenal AT1 receptor expression in both the presence and absence of DEX in NaCl-deprived rats. These results indicate that E2-induced decreases in pituitary and adrenal AT1 receptor expression are associated with attenuated pituitary ACTH and adrenal aldosterone responses to Ang II and suggest that estrogen replacement therapy may modulate Ang II-stimulated aldosterone secretion as part of its well known cardioprotective actions.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed2000

Rat model for investigating ACTH-independent angiotensin-induced aldosterone secretion.

Study of the acute effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) on aldosterone secretion has been hindered by the confounding influence of Ang II-induced adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion on aldosterone secretion, and by the fact that when laboratory rats are fed standard laboratory chows that are high in sodium, the adrenal is only minimally responsive to Ang II. In this study, we report the development of a model of Ang II-induced aldosterone secretion in NaCl-deprived, dexamethasone (DEX)-treated rats. This model allows the observation of (a) a high magnitude of Ang II-induced aldosterone secretion, (b) a return of plasma aldosterone levels to baseline after stimulation, and (c) aldosterone secretion without the potentially confounding influence of ACTH stimulation.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed2000

[A self-adaptable system for acquiring and processing animal ECG parameters].

The present authors have developed a computerized system for acquiring and processing the animal ECG. The system provides many functions in the software design and the users can compile the parameter-analyzing formulae by themselves according to the characteristics of ECG. The system is much more accurate and flexible in analyzing the ECG parameters and can significantly avoid the processing mistakes caused by signal variations and interference. It is especially suitable for continuous ECG monitoring and analysis of animal experiments in physiology, pharmacology and toxicology.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

KAI1/CD82 gene expression in benign prostatic hyperplasia and late-stage prostate cancer in Chinese.

AIM: To evaluate KAI1/CD82 expression in Chinese patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and late-stage carcinoma of prostate (CaP). METHODS: Thirty Chinese patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and 34 with CaP (adenocarcinoma clinical stage C and D) were analyzed by means of immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: The KAI1/CD82 expression in BPH tissue was all positive, which was uniformly located on the glandular cell membrane at the cell-to-cell borders, but KAI1/CD82 expression in metastasis CaP tissues was either significantly lower than that of BPH or negative, and the immunostaining pattern was not continuous. In late-stage CaP KAI1/CD82 expression was correlated inversely to the pathological grade ( P < 0.05), but not to clinical stage ( P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The authors believe that decreased and negative KAI1/CD82 expression in late-stage CaP may be related to tumor progression and metastasis, and appears to be a prognostic marker.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2000

[A study on the expressions and the correlation of TGF-beta and alpha-SMA in scars].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expressions of TGF-beta(TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, TGF-beta 3) and alpha-SMA and to investigate the probable effects of TGF-beta in the formation of hypertrophic scars as well as the expression of alpha-SMA in the scars. METHODS: 28 samples of hypertrophic scars, 19 samples of flat scars and 16 samples of normal skin have been examined immunohistochemically for the expressions of TGF-beta and alpha-SMA. Then a statistical and correlative analysis was carried out among the groups based on patient age, sex and scarring time. RESULTS: 1. TGF-beta and alpha-SMA have no expression in normal skin, but have varied expressions in hypertrophic scars and flat scars. 2. TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2 and alpha-SMA expressed highly in hypertrophic scar in comparison with normal skin and flat scar with a significantly statistical difference (P < 0.01). 3. There was a high expression of TGF-beta 3 in the flat scar and some hypertrophic scar that were from the female group or the scar over one year. 4. There was no statistical difference between the groups of teenage and adults. 5. The correlative analysis of TGF-beta to alpha-SMA demonstrated that the algebraic value of TGF-beta 1 + TGF-beta 2 - TGF-beta 3 correlates positively to alpha-SMA (r = 0.57). TGF-beta 3 correlates negatively to alpha-SMA(r = -0.80). CONCLUSIONS: 1. The formation and contraction of scar result from the synergic effects of TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2 and TGF-beta 3. TGF beta 1, TGF-beta 2 correlate the hyperplasia and contraction of scar, whereas TGF-beta 3 correlates the maturing of scar. To suppress the expression of TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2 or promote the expression of TGF-beta 3 would be beneficial to prevention of hyperplasia and contraction of scar. 2. It is reasonable to postulate that the female have stronger resistance to scar hyperplasia in that they have stronger expression of TGF-beta 3, which deserves further clinical observation and investigation. 3. The age has no influence on the expression of TGF-beta and alpha-SMA.

Actins↗

PubMed2000

[Expression of telomerase and its RNA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the activity of telomerase and the expression of its RNA in nasopharyneal carcinoma (NPC) and HNE1 cell lines of NPC. METHODS: Telomerase activity was detected with telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) PCR ELISA kit in 41 cases of NPC, 14 cases of tissues adjacent to the carcinoma, and 19 cases of chronic nasopharyngitis, HNE1 cell lines of NPC, HL60 cell lines of leukemia, TUL1 cell lines of lung cancer, as well as three other kinds of normal control cells. The sensitivity and specificity of telomerase assay were also analyzed. Moreover, the expression of human telomerase RNA (hTR) was studied in 27 cases of NPC, 19 cases of adjacent nasopharyngeal tissues, and 17 cases of control groups by RT-nested PCR. RESULTS: The telomerase activity was found increased in NPC and in tissues adjacent to NPC with absorbance value (A value) of 1.15 U +/- 0.78 U and 1.04 U +/- 0.67 U respectively, compared with chronic nasopharyngitis (A = 0.18 U +/- 0.09 U). In NPC with cervical lymphnodes involvement the telomerase activity (A = 1.25 U +/- 0.79 U) was higher than in those without involvement (A = 1.02 U +/- 0.71 U), P < 0.05. The telomerase activity was also observed in HNE1 cell lines (A = 1.26 U +/- 0.97 U) and in other two kinds of cancer cell lines, but not in the three kinds of normal control cells. By contrast, no significant difference was seen in the expression of hTR among the three nasopharyngeal biopsy groups (P > 0.05). Finally, the sensitivity of telomerase assay was high (at an amount of 10(2) HNE1 cells), and the specificity was also high (after inactivation by heat or RNase, the telomerase activity was very low). CONCLUSIONS: A high frequency of telomerase activity is commonly seen in NPC, adjacent nasopharyngeal tissues, and HNE1 cell lines and is closely associated with NPC with cervical lymphnodes involvement. Both sensitivity and specificity of the telomerase assay are high. However, owing to the fact that the expression of hTR has no obvious difference between NPC and normal tissues and does not always correspond with the telomerase activity, it would be better to do TRAP as well as hTR assays for the activity and expression in assessing the carcinogenesis of NPC. So, more intensive study on the role of hTR in the carcinogenesis of NPC and on the exact relationship between hTR and telomerase is needed.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Detecting residual ischemia and identifying coronary artery disease after myocardial infarction using dobutamine technetium-99m-MIBI SPECT.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dobutamine technetium-99m methoxy isobutyl nitrile (sestamibi) single-photon emission computed tomography (Dobu-ECT) in detecting residual ischemia and identifying coronary vessel disease after myocardial infarction. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with confirmed myocardial infarction were studied with Dobu-ECT at the time of coronary artery angiography. Dobutamine was administered intravenously in incremental rates from 5 to 40 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 at 3-minute intervals. At the highest infusion rate, 7.4 x 10(8) Bq 99mTc-MIBI was injected intravenously, and tomographic imaging was performed after one hour. Resting images were taken after 24 hours, with a second dose of 99mTc-MIBI. RESULTS: The sensitivity of Dobu-ECT in detecting residual ischemia of myocardial infarction was 76%, which was higher than dobutamine electrocardiography (Dobu-ECG). Regardless of the single-, double- or triple-vessel diseases, Dobu-ECT was superior to Dobu-ECG in identifying residual ischemia (56% vs 4%, 86% vs 27%, 100% vs 47%, P < 0.01, respectively). The incidence of residual ischemia in patients receiving thrombolytic therapy was 67%, lower than patients without thrombolysis (72%) or those with an old myocardial infarction (94%). But the differences were not statistically significant. Dobu-ECT detected only 56% of ischemias in non-infarct related myocardium. Eighty-two percent of all significantly stenosed vessels were detected with Dobu-ECT, and 84% of patients with multivessel disease could be accurately identified. The sensitivity of Dobu-ECT was significantly greater for detecting severe stenosis over moderate stenosis. The sensitivity for detecting stenosis in the right coronary artery was greater than left anterior descending or left circumflex, but its specificity was lower. CONCLUSION: Dobu-ECT can identify residual ischemia, as well as its location and extent after myocardial infarction. Dobu-ECT can also accurately detect significantly stenosed vessels.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Radionuclide techniques for evaluating dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical significance of radionuclide techniques in evaluating dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and ischemic cardiomyopathy (CAD-CM). METHODS: 28 patients with DCM and 55 patients with CAD-CM were studied. All patients underwent 99mTc-MIBI myocardial perfusion SPECT and 18F-FDG myocardial metabolic PET. 78 patients had 99mTc-RBC radionuclide ventriculography and 68 patients had coronary angiography. RESULTS: The results of 23 patients (82%) with DCM showed mild and non-segmental distribution perfusion abnormalities. 52 patients with CAD-CM (95%) showed perfusion abnormalities that distributed along the coronary vessel territories. Significant perfusion defects were found in 4 patients with DCM (14%) and 45 patients with CAD-CM (82%) (P < 0.01). The average perfusion score was 4.5 +/- 2.6 in DCM and 9.6 +/- 2.5 in CAD-CM and the area of diminished perfusion was significantly smaller in DCM than in CAD-CM (P < 0.001). Two patients with DCM and 18 patients with CAD-CM had metabolic defects. The patterns of perfusion/metabolic imaging showed mismatch in most patients with CAD-CM but match in most patients with DCM. The LVEF in patients with DCM and CAD-CM was both decreased but the decreases were not statistically different between DCM and CAD-CM. The RVEF in patients with DCM was significantly lower than that in patients with CAD-CM (32.4% +/- 13.9% vs 40.9% +/- 15.4%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The radionuclide techniques are helpful for distinguishing DCM from CAD-CM. The segmental perfusion abnormality and RVEF are the most important factors for differentiation of DCM from CAD-CM.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Cytokeratin 13 gene expression in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible pathogenetic role of cytokeratin 13 (CK13) gene expression in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: Tissue samples taken from a total of 40 cases of NPC and 8 cases of chronic inflammation of nasopharyngeal epithelium (CINE) were immunohistochemically studied for CK13 protein expression. Northern blot hybridization was used to detect CK13 gene at mRNA level in 32 of the 40 NPC and in 8 CINE cases. Correlations of CK13 expression with the clinical features of NPC were also investigated. RESULTS: Significantly stronger immunoreactivity for CK13 protein was shown in CINE than in NPC tissues (P < 0.01), so did it at mRNA levels. Significantly higher CK13 expression was demonstrated in patients with cervical lymph node metastasis, as compared to those without (P < 0.05). However, no significant correlation between CK13 expression and clinical staging of the disease. CONCLUSION: The decreased expression of CK13 in NPC suggests that differentiation disturbance of the nasopharyngeal epithelium might play a role in the pathogenesis of NPC.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[Sarcomatoid carcinoma in breast].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the distinctive pathomorphological features of sarcomatoid carcinoma (SC) in mammary gland as well as its diagnosis and differential diagnosis. METHODS: 1 538 malignant tumors of the breast were reviewed. 15 cases (0.98%) were diagnosed as SC. AE1/AE3, carcinoembryonic antigen (EMA), vimentin, S-100 protein, actin, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone (PR) were performed with SP immunohistochemical staining methods. RESULTS: The SC were divided into four morphological types according to the distinctive features of their sarcomatoid components. (1) Polymorphic sarcoma type: sarcomatoid components are polymorphic; (2) Spindle cell type: sarcomatoid components consisted of spindle cells; (3) Osteoclastic giant cell type: a huge number of osteoclastic giant cells in the sarcomatoid components; (4) Myxocartilage type: myxocartilaginoid components are seen in the tumor tissue. With immunohistochemical staining, the expression rates of AE1/AE3, EMA, vimentin, S-100 protein and actins in the epithelial components were in 11, 15, 11, 12 and 8 cases respectively, and sarcomatoid components were in 10, 13, 13, 13 and 10 cases respectively, while ER and PR were positive only in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the breast should be distinguished from carcinosarcoma, desmoplastic carcinoma, sarcoma, nodular fasciitis and fibromatosis.

Actins↗

PubMed2000

[Relationship between the ultrastructural characteristic of coal dust and its toxicity].

To study the relationship between the ultrastructural characteristic of coal dust and its toxicity, we compared two types of coal dusts which damaged alveolar macrophages(AMs) concerning with the coal dusts ultrastructural characteristic by using microscopy and biochemical techniques. The results showed that coal dusts damaged not only AMs plasma and lysosomal enzymes but also in ultrastructure. The coal dust in Nanpiao mine had a sharp form, fragile texture and a structure putting in order. It was concluded that: (1) the toxicity of coal dust in Nanpiao mine was higher than in Kailuan mine and which was related to the ultrastructural feature of the coal dusts; (2) the AMs injury degree by coal dusts was more and more serious with the duration of exposure to coal dusts.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[Studies on sanH and sanI--genes related to nikkomycin biosynthesis of Streptomyces ansochromogenes].

A 7.0 kb DNA fragment was cloned by reverse genetics, which was located in the gene cluster of nikkomycin biosynthesis of Streptomyces ansochromogenes. Besides sanF--a gene related to nikkomycin biosynthesis of S. ansochromogenes, the sequence of a 2.2 kb BglII DNA fragment upstream sanF was determined. This 2.2 kb DNA fragment cointains two complete open reading frames (ORF). ORF1 consists of 1233 base pairs, ORF2 consistis of 195 base pairs, and they encode proteins with 410 amino acids and 64 amino acids respectively, which were designated as sanH and sanI. In search of databases, the deduced products of sanH has 46% amino acid identities and 62% amino acid similarities in comparison with the cytochrome P450 of Streptomyces griseolus, and the deduced protein of sanI has 56% amino acid identities and 70% amino acid similarities with the ferredoxin of S. griseolus. The function of sanH gene was studied using strategy of gene disruption, and the result showed that the disruption of sanH didn't influence nikkomycin biological activity in S. ansochromogenes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2000

[The molecular structure and the arrangement changes of stilbazoles in the phase transition process studied by temperature-variable FTIR spectroscopy].

Hydrogen bonding is one of the principal intermolecular forces to enable the construction of supramolecular structures. By choosing an appropriate proton acceptor and a proton donor, stable intermolecular hydrogen bonds can form and affect or change the phase behavior of the donor and acceptor. We have obtained two intermolecular hydrogen bonded liquid crystals using the stilbazoles as the proton acceptor. In this paper we will research the molecular structure and the arrangement changes during the phase transition process of the stilbazoles by temperature variable FTIR spectroscopy. The results show that the number of the gauche conformation is increasing as the temperature increasing. When it is coming to the isotropic phase, the alkyl chain is in disorder. The frequency shift of carbonyl stretching bands has been found to be sensitive to the change of molecular conformation, inter and intramolecular interactions.

Hydrogen Bonding↗

PubMed1999

IL-2 receptor-targeted cytolytic IL-2/Fc fusion protein treatment blocks diabetogenic autoimmunity in nonobese diabetic mice.

High affinity IL-2R5 is present on recently activated but not on resting or memory T cells. Selective targeting of T cells bearing high affinity IL-2R is an attractive therapy for many T cell-dependent cytopathic disease processes. A variety of rodent mAbs directed against the alpha-chain of the IL-2R, as well as IL-2 fusion toxins, have been used in animals and humans to achieve selective immunosuppression. Here we report on the development of a novel IL-2R targeting agent, a cytolytic chimeric IL-2/Fc fusion protein. This immunoligand binds specifically and with high affinity to IL-2R and is structurally capable of recruiting host Ab-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity activities. The Ig component ensures an extended circulating t1/2 of 25 h following systemic administration. To subsequently explore the mechanisms of the antidiabetogenic effects of IL-2/Fc, we have mutated the FcR binding and complement C1q binding (Fc-/-) domains of the Fc fragment to render the Fc unable to direct Ab-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity activities. In a model of passive transfer of diabetes in nonobese diabetic mice, lytic IL-2/Fc, but not nonlytic IL-2/Fc-/-, exhibited striking antidiabetogenic effects. Together with the negligible potential of IL-2/Fc for immunogenicity, this finding forecasts that cytolytic IL-2/Fc may offer a new therapeutic approach for selective targeting of auto and alloimmune T cells.

Adoptive Transfer↗

PubMed1999

Tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen: an extracellular matrix protein that selectively regulates tubulogenesis vs. glomerulogenesis during mammalian renal development.

Tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen (TIN-ag) is an extracellular matrix protein and is expressed in the renal tubular basement membranes. Its role in metanephric development was investigated. TIN-ag cDNA, isolated from the newborn mouse library, had an ORF of 1,425 nucleotides, a putative signal sequence, and an ATP/GTP-binding site. The translated sequence had approximately 80% identity with rabbit TIN-ag. Among various tissues, TIN-ag mRNA was primarily expressed in the newborn kidney. In the embryonic metanephros, TIN-ag expression was confined to the distal convolution or pole of the S-shaped body, the segment of the nascent nephron that is the progenitor of renal tubules. Treatment with TIN-ag antisense oligodeoxynucleotide induced dysmorphogenesis of the embryonic metanephroi, malformation of the S-shaped body, and a decrease in the tubular population, whereas the glomeruli were unaffected. Treatment also led to a decrease of TIN-Ag mRNA, de novo synthesis of TIN-ag protein, and its antibody reactivity. The mRNA expression of glomerular epithelial protein 1 (a marker for renal podocytes), anti-heparan-sulfate-proteoglycan antibody reactivity, and wheat germ agglutinin lectin staining of the metanephros were unaffected. The anti-TIN-ag antibody treatment also caused deformation of the S-shaped body and a reduction in the tubular population, whereas the glomeruli were unchanged. The data suggest that the TIN-ag, unlike other basement membrane proteins, selectively regulates tubulogenesis, whereas glomerulogenesis is largely unaffected.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Separation and purification of isoflavones from Pueraria lobata by high-speed counter-current chromatography.

High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was applied to the semipreparative separation and purification of puerarin and related isoflavones from a crude extract of Pueraria lobata. Analytical HSCCC was used for the preliminary selection of a suitable solvent system composed of ethyl acetate-n-butanol-water (2:1:3, v/v/v). Using the above solvent system the preparative HSCCC was successfully performed yielding six relatively pure isoflavones including puerarin from 80 mg of the crude extract in one-step separation.

Chromatography↗

PubMed1999

Cloning of rat fibrillin-2 cDNA and its role in branching morphogenesis of embryonic lung.

Fibrillin-2 is an extracellular matrix protein. It is associated with elastic fibers in several tissues and is believed to serve as a ligand for alphavbeta3 integrin, the latter being a known morphogen. In this study, the role of fibrillin-2 in lung development was investigated. Also, rat fibrillin-2 cDNA was isolated and sequenced and its spatiotemporal expression determined. It had approximately 88% homology with human fibrillin-2 and had Ca(2+) binding epidermal growth factor-like domains, transforming growth factor-beta binding protein motifs, and two RGD binding sites. Northern blot analysis revealed an approximately 10-kb transcript, and fibrillin-2 expression was developmentally regulated, and it paralleled that of tropoelastin. At day 13 of gestation, fibrillin-2 was expressed in the mesenchyme and at the epithelial:mesenchymal interface. From day 13 to 19 of gestation, its expression intensified and was confined around the tracheobronchial airways, while it lessened during the postnatal period. Immunoprecipitation revealed an approximately 350-kDa band by SDS-PAGE. Treatment with fibrillin-2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide induced dysmorphogenesis of the lung explants. They were smaller and had rudimentary lung bud branches, collapsed conducting airways, and loose expanded mesenchyme. Concomitantly, fibrillin-2 mRNA, antibody reactivity in the explants, and fibrillin-2-specific radioincorporation were reduced. Anti-alphav and -laminin antibody reactivity and their respective incorporated specific radioactivities were unaltered. These data indicate that fibrillin-2 modulates organogenesis of the lung in the context of epithelial:mesenchymal interactions. Conceivably, the collapse of the conducting airways may also be related to the perturbed biology of the fibrillin-2 interacting protein, i.e., elastin, the latter being critical for the normal biophysiology of the lungs.

Actins↗