Related Experiment Videos
Epithelial pathways for luminal entry of bulk plasma
J S Erjefält1, I Erjefält, F Sundler
1Department of Medical Cell Research, University of Lund, Sweden.
Summary
Inflammatory airway challenges allow plasma entry into the airway lumen. This study shows plasma moves across intact epithelial cells via paracellular pathways, not affecting epithelial integrity.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Airway inflammation leads to plasma leakage.
- Routes of plasma passage across airway epithelium are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epithelial passage routes of extravasated plasma in the airways.
- To determine if plasma entry affects epithelial integrity during inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Intravenous administration of colloidal gold (5 nm) tracer in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs.
- Airway mucosal challenge with ovalbumin.
- Tissue specimen collection at 30 seconds, 3 minutes, and 6 minutes post-challenge.
- Visualization of tracer using autometallographic silver intensification and electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- Colloidal gold was distributed in the lamina propria, epithelium, and airway lumen post-challenge.
- Plasma exudate moved between and around epithelial cells.
- Luminal plasma entry did not compromise the integrity of the airway epithelial lining.
Conclusions:
- Extravasated plasma crosses the airway epithelium through paracellular pathways.
- The epithelial barrier remains intact during plasma exudation into the airway lumen.