Neural plasticity occurs in the adrenal medulla of asthmatic rats.

Background: Airway symptoms in asthma are related to decrease of epinephrine secretion, which may be ascribed to elevated nerve growth factor (NGF) in the organism. The aim of this study was to monitor the neuroendocrine alteration in the adrenal medulla of asthmatic rats.

Methods: Sixteen rats were randomly divided into two groups (n = 8), control group and asthma group, and the asthmatic rats were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA).

Effects of Arkadia on airway remodeling through enhancing TGF-beta signaling in allergic rats.

Upregulation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling is interrelated with the development of airway remodeling. In this study, we examined the role of two E3 ubiquitin ligases, Arkadia and Smurf2, which are critically required for TGF-beta signaling in airway remodeling. Rats were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) and then challenged with an OVA aerosol.

[A novel mutation of the SLC34A2 gene in a Chinese pedigree with pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis].

Objective: To identify the mutation of solute carrier family 34 member 2 (SLC34A2) gene in a Chinese family with pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM).

Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from the family members. DNA sequencing was carried out to confirm the mutation detected by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphisms (PCR-SSCP).