Hyaluronan is a major component of the extracellular matrix and glycocalyx. Its main somatic degrading enzymes are hyaluronidases 1 and 2, neither of which is active in the bloodstream. We generated hyaluronidase 2-deficient mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe metabolism of hyaluronan (HA) relies on HA synthases and hyaluronidases, among which hyaluronidase-1 (HYAL1) and -2 (HYAL2) have been proposed as key actors. Congenital HYAL1 deficiency leads to mucopolysaccharidosis IX (MPS IX), a rare lysosomal storage disorder characterized by joint abnormalities. Knowledge of HYAL2 is limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To prospectively compare computed tomographic (CT) quantification of pulmonary emphysema in elastase-treated rats with morphometry and to evaluate the information yielded by CT quantification and pulmonary function tests.
Materials And Methods: This study was approved by the local committee on care and use of animals in research. Thirty-six animals were used.
This study describes induction of pulmonary inflammation, production of matrix metalloprotease of type 2 (MMP-2) and type 9 (MMP-9), and emphysema in cadmium (Cd)-exposed rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly distributed into two groups: one placebo-exposed group undergoing saline (NaCl 0.9%) inhalation (n=30) and one Cd-exposed group undergoing cadmium (CdCl(2) 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Single-chambered barometric whole-body plethysmography is frequently used as a noninvasive lung function test. However, the validity of the enhanced Pause (Penh), an index of airflow limitation, remains controversial. We compared Penh with pulmonary resistance (R(L)) to test whether Penh detects tracheal subobstruction and carbachol-induced airflow limitation in spontaneously breathing, anaesthetised rats.
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