Tacrolimus (FK-506) controls organ rejection; however, arteriolar hyalinosis is a frequent complication. By use of mice lacking FK-506-binding protein-12 in endothelial cells, Chiasson and co-workers explored the contribution of endothelial cells and the transforming growth factor-β pathway to define mechanisms of hyalinosis. Absence of this binding protein removed a tonic inhibition to activat...

Infantile systemic hyalinosis is a rare, progressive, fatal condition with a presumably autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. It is characterized by widespread deposition of hyaline material in many tissues. We present a three-month-old girl with hypoproteinemia, growth retardation, and generalized stiff and edematous skin, who was diagnosed as protein-losing enteropathy. A final diagnosis o...

Arteriolar hyalinosis is a common histological finding in renal transplant recipients treated with the calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus; however, the pathophysiologic mechanisms remain unknown. In addition to increasing transforming growth factor (TGF)-β levels, tacrolimus inhibits calcineurin by binding to FK506-binding protein 12 (FKBP12). FKBP12 alone also inhibits TGF-β receptor activation....

Infantile systemic hyalinosis is a rare disorder characterized by widespread deposition of hyaline. They usually present with skin lesions, joint contractures, and intractable diarrhea. We report a 2 year 4 month old boy with growth retardation, typical facial appearance, gingival enlargement, generalized stiff skin, joint contractures, and intermittent diarrhea. Skin biopsy revealed depositio...