Comparison of gel contraction mediated by airway smooth muscle cells from patients with and without asthma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Exaggerated bronchial constriction is the most significant and life threatening response of patients with asthma to inhaled stimuli. However, few studies have investigated the contractility of airway smooth muscle (ASM) from these patients. The purpose of this study was to establish a method to measure contraction of ASM cells by embedding them into a collagen gel, and to compare the contraction between subjects with and without asthma.

Methods

Gel contraction to histamine was examined in floating gels containing cultured ASM cells from subjects with and without asthma following overnight incubation while unattached (method 1) or attached (method 2) to casting plates. Smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase protein levels were also examined.

Results

Collage

SUBMITTER: Matsumoto H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2094259 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature