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The epithelial barrier and airway responsiveness
M P Sparrow1, T I Omari, H W Mitchell
1Department of Physiology, University of Western Australia, Nedlands.
Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
|February 1, 1995
Summary
The airway epithelium acts as a barrier, protecting airways from injury. Its role in airway hyperresponsiveness is primarily protective, with a putative epithelium-derived relaxing factor (EpDIF) having minor functional significance.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Cell Biology
- Pulmonary Physiology
Background:
- Airway hyperresponsiveness and epithelial injury are hallmarks of airway diseases, often attributed to inflammation.
- The airway epithelium's role in modulating airway sensitivity involves barrier function and mediator release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the barrier function of the airway epithelium.
- To assess the role of the airway epithelium in modulating airway responsiveness.
- To investigate the functional significance of a putative epithelium-derived relaxing factor (EpDIF).
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies using tubular bronchial preparations.
- Comparison of epithelial removal effects on different airway wall preparations (tubular vs. strips/rings).
Main Results:
- Epithelial removal from tubular bronchi significantly increased sensitivity to agonists.
- Epithelial removal from airway wall strips/rings resulted in smaller, variable sensitivity increases.
- The contribution of a putative epithelium-derived relaxing factor (EpDIF) to airway caliber modulation appears minimal.
Conclusions:
- The airway epithelium's barrier function is crucial in modulating airway responsiveness.
- The proposed role of epithelium-derived relaxing factor (EpDIF) in airway hyperresponsiveness is likely of minor functional importance.