Ablation of IL-33 Suppresses Responses but Is Accompanied by Sustained Mucus Obstruction in the Transgenic Mouse Model.

Cystic fibrosis is characterized by dehydration of the airway surface liquid layer with persistent mucus obstruction. immune responses are often manifested as increased mucous cell density (mucous cell metaplasia) associated with mucus obstruction. IL-33 is a known inducer of immune responses, but its roles in mucus obstruction and related phenotypes in a cystic fibrosis-like lung disease model (i.

Genetic variation within a dominant shrub structures green and brown community assemblages.

Two rising challenges in ecology are understanding the linkages between above- and belowground components of terrestrial ecosystems and connecting genes to their ecological consequences. Here, we blend these emerging perspectives using a long-term common-garden experiment in a coastal dune ecosystem, whose dominant shrub species, Baccharis pilularis, exists as erect or prostrate architectural morphotypes. We explored variation in green (foliage-based) and brown (detritus-based) community assemblages, local ecosystem processes, and understory microclimate between the two morphs.