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(.'()U NC•it. F(»t TuB'Ac-r() RE'SE'A1C('Ii-U.ti.A., I.c. NX12245001 September 26, 1977 MEMORANDUM TO: Drs. Feldman, Hockett, Sommers, Stone and Wyatt FROM: W. U. Gardner SUBJECT: Application 1041R2. Joseph M. Lauweryns, M.D., Ph.D., University of Leuven, Belgium. "The tveuro-epithelial Bodies: Their Role and Structure as Intrapulmonary Neuro(chemo) Receptors in Norr;1 and Various Physiological, Pharmacological and Pathological Conditions." This is really an institutional type of grant. Lauiaery:is spends 60% of his time on it and two younger a^.,..cciaties spend 90%. h major cost item is the salary of two technicians. Theyha%ie acquired a Phillips scanning electron microscope. This year he divided his studies on the neuroepithelial bodies into morphological, physiological and pharmacological. in the lunqs of new-born rabbits he has identified a second type of dense-cored vesicles (DC'V). When the lungs are exposed to formaldehyde and treated with fluoikscamine both serotonin containing vesicles and a second type of vesicle appear which probably contains polypeptides. hdditional studies have }ieerr done on the nurnbei and the distribution of the NEBs. Using cross circulation expPriments ne has demonstri.1ted that low blood 02 concentratioi: does not affect the exocytosis of the DCVS bnt that exoc tosis occurs when inspired 02 concentration is low. Pharmacological e::periments have included t.'ie intratracheal iustiliati: n of nicotir.c and thc cu...cut.:n.eo,_- i*+jPction of reserpine. 'Phe nicotine-treated rabbits showed fragmentation of the DCVs and the serotonine-treated animals' NEBs showed decreased fluorescence. In addition to the studies with the young rabbits he is collecting material from surgical specimens and frdm necropsy to provide human lung specimens. The group has been very productive. One long paper,on the pulmonary lymphatics has been published. This was the subject of his first CTR grant. The second grant of the NEBs is on schedule and should be completed as projected. W. U. Gardner WUG:ek