Endogenous Relaxin Regulates Collagen Deposition in an Animal Model of Allergic Airway Disease

Abstract

We examined the relationship among relaxin (a peptide hormone that stimulates collagen degradation), airway fibrosis, other changes of airway remodeling, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in an animal model of allergic airway disease. Eight- to 10-wk-old relaxin gene-knockout (RLX−/−) and wild-type (RLX+/+) mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) or saline ip at d 0 and 14 and challenged three times per week for 6 wk with nebulized 2.5% OVA or saline. Saline-treated control RLX+/+ and RLX−/− mice had equivalent collagen expression and baseline airway responses. OVA-treated RLX−/− mice developed airway inflammation equivalent to that in OVA-treated RLX+/+ mice. However, OVA-treated RLX−/..