Reduced sodium transport with nasal administration of the prostasin inhibitor camostat in subjects with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Prostasin, a trypsin-like serine protease, is a channel-activating protease and major regulator of epithelial sodium channel-mediated sodium absorption. Its direct inhibition by camostat represents a potential approach to inhibiting sodium transport in cystic fibrosis (CF).

Methods: To determine whether a topical formulation of camostat represents an efficacious and tolerable approach to reducing Na+ transport in the CF airway, we conducted a two-part randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, ascending single-dose study to evaluate the pharmacodynamics, safety, and pharmacokinetics of camostat administered through a nasal spray pump in subjects with CF.

Quantifying monocyte infiltration in response to intradermal tetanus toxoid injection.

Aims: To characterize monocyte response in a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to intradermal tetanus toxoid (TT) injection.

Materials & Methods: Men with positive serum anti-tetanus titers were stratified by last TT vaccination. Subjects were administered three intradermal injections of TT and one saline control on the same side of the back.

Regulation of focal adhesion kinase by a novel protein inhibitor FIP200.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a major mediator of integrin signaling pathways. The mechanisms of regulation of FAK activity and its associated cellular functions are not very well understood. Here, we present data suggesting that a novel protein FIP200 functions as an inhibitor for FAK.