The kallikrein-kinin system in the colon and lung fluid from a cribriform degeneration (cri) mutant mouse.

The cribriform degeneration (cri) mutant mouse was widely studied in regard to the electrolyte and kallikrein metabolism because of its potentiality as a cystic fibrosis (CF) genetic animal model. In this paper the activity of the kallikrein-kinin system, and the kininase activity and glycoproteins concentration in colon and pulmonary lavage fluid (PLF) in homozygous mutant (cri/cri) and control sibling mice are described. The mutant mice showed a diminished kininogenase and kininase activity and glycoproteins concentrations in both studied organs. It is concluded that a kallikrein-kinin system alteration could be responsible of the cri/cri electrolyte defect.