Skip to main content

Role of airway smooth muscle in asthma: Possible relation to the neuroendocrine system

Publication ,  Journal Article
Stephens, NL; Jiang, H; Halayko, A; Johnson, DE; Sorokin, SP; Jr, RFH; Cutz, E; Aguayo, SM; Scheuermann, DW; Polak, JM; McDowell, EM; Gail, DB ...
Published in: Anatomical Record
1993

Though not yet firmly established, it appears likely that the neuroendocrine system (NES) regulates airway smooth muscle function. As it is the latter which is altered in asthma, the importance of the role of the NES in this disease is clear. The fact that transmitters from the NE cells are released from their basal aspect, and are in close proximity to the subjacent airway smooth muscle, further indicates an interaction. The question then arises as to what are the experimental desiderata for conducting studies of the ASM. As human tissues from asthmatics are difficult to obtain, animal models have been developed. The requirements are that, in these animals, the allergy be IgE based, that a congenital or familial factor be operative, that a noncholinergic nonadrenergic inhibitory system be a component of the neural regulatory system, and that the antigen for immunization be of a type commonly found in human asthmatics. Ideally, evidence of clinical asthma and exercise-induced asthma and nocturnal attacks should also be present. If in vitro research is to be conducted, there are additional requirements. The tissue should be from a relevant location. For the early asthmatic attack, central bronchi (3-5 mm diameter) should be used. Muscle strips obtained from them should be parallel-fibred and the cartilage plaques should be carefully dissected away, otherwise they contribute unwanted frictional forces when velocity is measured. Care should be taken to ensure that the epithelial cell layer is intact, as evidence indicates that it may regulate airway muscle function, though this has not been established for all the animal species used in asthma research.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Anatomical Record

Publication Date

1993

Volume

236

Issue

1

Start / End Page

152 / 167

Related Subject Headings

  • Anatomy & Morphology
  • 11 Medical and Health Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Stephens, N. L., Jiang, H., Halayko, A., Johnson, D. E., Sorokin, S. P., Jr, R. F. H., … Gosney, J. R. (1993). Role of airway smooth muscle in asthma: Possible relation to the neuroendocrine system. Anatomical Record, 236(1), 152–167.
Stephens, N. L., H. Jiang, A. Halayko, D. E. Johnson, S. P. Sorokin, R. F. H. Jr, E. Cutz, et al. “Role of airway smooth muscle in asthma: Possible relation to the neuroendocrine system.” Anatomical Record 236, no. 1 (1993): 152–67.
Stephens NL, Jiang H, Halayko A, Johnson DE, Sorokin SP, Jr RFH, et al. Role of airway smooth muscle in asthma: Possible relation to the neuroendocrine system. Anatomical Record. 1993;236(1):152–67.
Stephens, N. L., et al. “Role of airway smooth muscle in asthma: Possible relation to the neuroendocrine system.” Anatomical Record, vol. 236, no. 1, 1993, pp. 152–67.
Stephens NL, Jiang H, Halayko A, Johnson DE, Sorokin SP, Jr RFH, Cutz E, Aguayo SM, Scheuermann DW, Polak JM, McDowell EM, Linnoila RI, Sunday ME, Gail DB, Gosney JR. Role of airway smooth muscle in asthma: Possible relation to the neuroendocrine system. Anatomical Record. 1993;236(1):152–167.

Published In

Anatomical Record

Publication Date

1993

Volume

236

Issue

1

Start / End Page

152 / 167

Related Subject Headings

  • Anatomy & Morphology
  • 11 Medical and Health Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences