FIZZ1, a novel cysteine‐rich secreted protein associated with pulmonary inflammation, defines a new gene family

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from mice with experimentally induced allergic pulmonary inflammation contains a novel 9.4 kDa cysteine‐rich secreted protein, FIZZ1 (found in inflammatory zone). Murine (m) FIZZ1 is the founding member of a new gene family including two other murine genes expressed, respectively, in intestinal crypt epithelium and white adipose tissue, and two related human genes. In control mice, FIZZ1 mRNA and protein expression occur at low levels in a subset of bronchial epithelial cells and in non‐neuronal cells adjacent to neurovascular bundles in the peribronchial stroma, and in the wall of the large and small bowel. During allergic pulmonary inflammation, mFIZZ1 expression markedly increases in hypertrophic, hyperplastic bronchial epithelium and appears in type II alveolar pneumocytes. In vitro , recombinant mFIZZ1 inhibits the nerve growth factor (NGF)‐mediated survival of rat embryonic day 14 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and NGF‐induced CGRP gene expression in adult rat DRG neurons. In vivo , FIZZ1 may modulate the function of neurons innervating the bronchial tree, thereby altering the local tissue response to allergic pulmonary inflammation.