Spontaneous airway hyperresponsiveness in estrogen receptor-alpha-deficient mice.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Airway hyperresponsiveness is a critical feature of asthma. Substantial epidemiologic evidence supports a role for female sex hormones in modulating lung function and airway hyperresponsiveness in humans.

Objectives

To examine the role of estrogen receptors in modulating lung function and airway responsiveness using estrogen receptor-deficient mice.

Methods

Lung function was assessed by a combination of whole-body barometric plethysmography, invasive measurement of airway resistance, and isometric force measurements in isolated bronchial rings. M2 muscarinic receptor expression was assessed by Western blotting, and function was assessed by electrical field stimulation of tracheas in the presence/absence of gallamine. Allergic airway disease was examined afte

SUBMITTER: Carey MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1899278 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature