Proteomic analysis of naphthalene-induced airway epithelial injury and repair in a cystic fibrosis mouse model.

Combined results from laser capture microdissection of mouse airway epithelial cells followed by high power (MALDI-FTICR) MS, and fluorescent two-dimensional gel elctrophoresis (2D-DIGE) of the whole lung, allowed us to identify proteins differentially expressed after naphthalene induced airway injury. Further, we discovered several novel aspects of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) lung pathology in an F508del-Cftr mouse model using this approach. The combined MALDI-FTICR-MS and 2D-DIGE data show that lung carbonyl reductase (CBR2), involved in prostaglandin metabolism, converting PGE2 to PGF2alpha, is localized to airway cells and is reduced 2-fold in mutant mice compared to normal, both before and after challenge.

Evaluation of the clinical significance of homB, a novel candidate marker of Helicobacter pylori strains associated with peptic ulcer disease.

Background: homB codes for a putative Helicobacter pylori outer membrane protein and has previously been associated with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) in children.

Methods: A total of 190 H. pylori strains isolated from children and adults were studied to evaluate the clinical importance of the homB gene.

What have we learned from mouse models for cystic fibrosis?

Genetically modified mouse strains are important research tools for the study of numerous human diseases. These models provide us with differentiated tissues, which are not often available from human sources. Furthermore, they allow for testing the effects of genetic manipulation and experimental therapeutics on physiology and pathology.

Assessment of CFTR localisation in native airway epithelial cells obtained by nasal brushing.

Reliable methods for determining the localisation of mutant CFTR protein in native cells from CF individuals are necessary to allow the degree of mislocalisation of any genotype to be defined and to assess the effect of therapeutic agents on CFTR trafficking. Here, we present procedures for obtaining ciliated epithelial cells from CF patients by nasal brushing and a description of protocols for immunolocalisation of CFTR. The protocols are a consensus, following comparison of some aspects of methods currently used in the authors' laboratories.

CFTR localization in native airway cells and cell lines expressing wild-type or F508del-CFTR by a panel of different antibodies.

The intracellular localization of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in native tissues is a major issue in the study of mutation, processing, and trafficking effects in CFTR and in the evaluation of therapeutic strategies in cystic fibrosis (CF). This work evaluated the applicability of ten different antibodies (Abs) under various fixation techniques for CFTR localization in fresh-brushed nasal epithelial cells collected from CF patients homozygous for F508del and control individuals. In parallel, the same Ab panel was also tested on BHK cell lines overexpressing wild-type or F508del CFTR.