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Development of bronchiolar epithelium in rats
The American Journal of Physiology
|May 1, 1986
Summary
The maturation of rat lung airways involves changes in cell populations. Glucocorticosteroids and hormones like glucagon can influence Clara cell development and glycogen levels during the perinatal period.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Biology
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Bronchiolar Clara cells and ciliated cells are crucial for airway function.
- Perinatal lung development is a complex process influenced by various factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the regulation of rat bronchiolar Clara cell maturation.
- To examine the development of small conducting airway epithelium in the perinatal period.
Main Methods:
- Ultrastructural and morphometric analysis of rat lung tissue.
- Assessment of cell nuclear numerical density (Nvn) and lung DNA content.
- In vitro incubation of bronchiolar tissue with hormones.
Main Results:
- Clara cell Nvn decreased while ciliated cell Nvn increased from birth to 60 days.
- Prenatal dexamethasone reduced ciliated cell Nvn at birth but not Clara cell Nvn.
- Postnatal dexamethasone did not alter cell Nvn but reduced total lung cells.
- Hormones (glucagon, epinephrine, cyclic AMP) decreased Clara cell glycogen in vitro.
Conclusions:
- Glucocorticosteroids have differential effects on developing airway cells.
- Hormonal regulation plays a role in Clara cell glycogen content.
- Perinatal lung development involves dynamic cellular and biochemical changes.