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A Method for the Measurement of Salivary Gland Function in Mice
Published on: January 25, 2018
Optical method for quantifying rates of mucus secretion from single submucosal glands
1Cystic Fibrosis Research Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-2130, USA.
Summary
A new optical method quantifies single gland secretion rates in sheep tracheal mucosa. Carbachol significantly stimulates secretion, while other agents have minimal effects, revealing potential subpopulations of secretory glands.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Physiology
- Biomedical Optics
- Cellular Secretion Mechanisms
Background:
- Accurate quantification of single gland secretion is crucial for understanding respiratory diseases.
- Existing methods may lack precision or scalability for detailed glandular analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an optical method for quantifying single tracheal gland secretion rates.
- To characterize basal and stimulated secretion in sheep tracheal glands.
- To investigate species-specific differences in glandular secretory responses.
Main Methods:
- Isolated sheep tracheal mucosa mounted at the air-Krebs interface.
- Oil coating to visualize and digitally image secreted bubbles.
- Calculation of secretion rates based on bubble volume over time.
- Pharmacological stimulation with carbachol, isoproterenol, and phenylephrine.
Main Results:
- Basal secretion rates were low (0.57 nl x min(-1) x gland(-1)) and maintained for up to 3 days.
- Carbachol induced significant stimulation, with peak rates of 15.7 nl x min(-1) x gland(-1) and sustained rates of 4.5 nl x min(-1) x gland(-1).
- Phenylephrine elicited a strong response in cats but minimal response in pigs, sheep, and humans; carbachol-stimulated secretion was significantly inhibited by bumetanide and HCO3 replacement.
Conclusions:
- The developed optical method reliably quantifies single gland secretion.
- Sheep tracheal glands exhibit distinct secretory responses to various agonists, with carbachol being a potent stimulator.
- Species-specific differences in phenylephrine response and the non-normal distribution of secretion rates suggest functional heterogeneity among glands.
