Extracellular proteasome in the human alveolar space: a new housekeeping enzyme?

We hypothesized that 20S proteasome is present and functional in the extracellular alveolar space in humans. Proteasomal activity was measured in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) supernatant from eight humans using specific proteasomal fluorogenic substrates and I(125)-albumin with and without specific proteasome inhibitors. Furthermore, gelfiltration, Western blot technique, and mass spectrometry were applied for proteasome characterization.

Bone apposition to titanium implants biocoated with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2). A pilot study in dogs.

The aim of the present study was to investigate bone formation to recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2)-biocoated and rhBMP-2-nonbiocoated titanium implants after implantation in dogs. Implantation of sand-blasted and acid-etched (C), chromosulfuric acid surface-enhanced (CSA), and rhBMP-2-biocoated CSA [BMP-A: noncovalently immobilized rhBMP-2 (596 ng/cm(2)), BMP-B: covalently immobilized rhBMP-2 (819 ng/cm(2))] implants was performed in both the mandible and tibia of dogs. After 4 weeks of healing, the percentage of direct bone to implant contact (BIC) and the induced bone density (BD) at a distance of less than and greater than 1 mm adjacent to each implant was assessed.