Connective tissue proteins of the baboon lung: concentration, content and synthesis of collagen in the normal lung.

Abstract

Lung connective tissue proteins have been assayed in 12 normal juvenile baboons (Papio cynocephalus). The collagen concentration (26.8 +/- 5.1 microgram hydroxyproline per mg dry weight) is comparable to values reported for adult human lung, while the rate of collagen synthesis (0.242 +/- 0.082 nmoles hydroxyproline per mg DNA per hour) is approximately half that of human lung. Proteins other than collagen are synthesized at approximately equal rates in human and baboon lung. Elastin concentration was estimated to be 33 microgram insoluble elastin protein per mg dry weight, within the range reported for normal human lung. Values have also been calculated for the lobar contents of protein, DNA, and collagen, as well as the rates of synthesis of collagen and other proteins in the entire upper lobe of the right lung of these animals. The collagen concentrations in the lung show wide differences among various animal species. However, the baboon lung is similar to human lung. This similarity may be important in the interpretation of alterations in lung connective tissue metabolism associated with experimental diseases.