Development of the bronchial epithelial reticular basement membrane: relationship to epithelial height and age.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The bronchial epithelium and underlying reticular basement membrane (RBM) have a close spatial and functional inter-relationship and are considered an epithelial-mesenchymal trophic unit (EMTU). An understanding of RBM development is critical to understanding the extent and time of appearance of its abnormal thickening that is characteristic of asthma.

Methods

RBM thickness and epithelial height were determined in histological sections of cartilaginous bronchi obtained postmortem from 47 preterm babies and infants (median age 40 weeks gestation (22 weeks gestation-8 months)), 40 children (2 years (1 month-17 years)) and 23 adults (44 (17-90) years) who had died from non-respiratory causes, and had no history of asthma.

Results

The RBM was visible by light m

SUBMITTER: Tsartsali L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3471130 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature