Calcitonin gene-related peptide stimulates proliferation of alveolar epithelial cells.

Background: Alveolar epithelial cells are known as progenitor cells for the restoration from the damage in the lung. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has been reported to play an important role in the proliferation of various types of epithelial and endothelial cells. We investigated the effects of CGRP on the proliferation of alveolar epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo.

Chrysotile asbestos causes AEC apoptosis via the caspase activation in vitro and in vivo.

To determine whether alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) apoptosis via caspase activation is involved in asbestos-induced lung injury, we examined apoptosis, caspase-3 and-9 activation using chrysotile asbestos exposure models in vitro and in vivo. Apoptotic cells were assessed in A549 cells with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method after 48 hours exposure of chrysotile asbestos (5 to 100 ug/cm2). Asbestos exposure induced a dose-dependent increase of apoptotic cells, and both pretreatment with Z-LEHD-FMK (caspase-3 inhibitor) or Z-DEMK-FMK (caspase-9 inhibitor) significantly suppressed asbestos-induced apoptosis.

[A case of microscopic polyangitis presented with acute pericarditis].

We report a case of microscopic polyangitis presenting with acute pericarditis. A 75-year-old man, who had recurrent acute pericarditis, was referred by a cardiologist because of bilateral infiltrates in the chest radiograph, microhematuria and progressive renal failure. The test for MPO-ANCA was positive.