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Charles G Plopper

Publications and source records attributed to Charles G Plopper.

46 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

The three-dimensional distribution of nerves along the entire intrapulmonary airway tree of the adult rat and the anatomical relationship between nerves and neuroepithelial bodies.

Using airway microdissection and three-dimensional confocal microscopy techniques in combination with the immunomarkers protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), we defined the distribution of small afferent nerves fibers and all nerves throughout the intrapulmonary airways, along with the distribution of airway neuroendocrine cells and neuroepithelial bodies. We found (i) the presence of CGRP-and PGP 9.5-positive structures along the entire intrapulmonary airway tree of adult rats, (ii) decreasing nerve density from more proximal to more distal generations of conducting airways, (iii) the presence of nerve fibers in terminal bronchioles, (iv) the asymmetrical distribution of nerves within a single generation of intrapulmonary airway with regard to associated vessels, (v) the frequent interchange of single nerve fibers across epithelial and sub-epithelial compartments without termination, and (vi) a definably intimate relationship between afferent nerves and neuroepithelial bodies (NEBs) (i.e., 58% of NEBs studied were observed to have nerve fibers coursing through them, indicating direct connections). We conclude that the distribution of nervous elements (nerve fibers and neuroendocrine cells) within the intrapulmonary airways is highly heterogeneous, varying between airway levels and locally within a specific airway level.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Neuroplasticity in nucleus tractus solitarius neurons after episodic ozone exposure in infant primates.

Acute ozone exposure evokes adverse respiratory responses, particularly in children. With repeated ozone exposures, however, despite the persistent lung inflammation and increased sensory nerve excitability, the central nervous system reflex responses, i.e., rapid shallow breathing and decreased lung function, adapt, suggesting changes in central nervous system signaling. We determined whether repeated ozone exposures altered the behavior of nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) neurons where reflex respiratory motor outputs are first coordinated. Whole cell recordings were performed on NTS neurons in brain stem slices from infant monkeys exposed to filtered air or ozone (0.5 ppm, 8 h/day for 5 days every 14 days for 11 episodes). Although episodic ozone exposure depolarized the membrane potential, increased the membrane resistance, and increased neuronal spiking responses to depolarizing current injections (P < 0.05), it decreased the excitability to vagal sensory fiber activation (P < 0.05), suggesting a diminished responsiveness to sensory transmission, despite overall increases in excitability. Substance P, implicated in lung and NTS signaling, contributed to the increased responsiveness to current injections but not to the diminished sensory transmission. The finding that NTS neurons undergo plasticity with repeated ozone exposures may help to explain the adaptation of the respiratory motor responses.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2002

Fibroblast growth factor-2 during postnatal development of the tracheal basement membrane zone.

Thickening of the basement membrane zone (BMZ) is a characteristic of several airway diseases; however, very little is known about how this process occurs. The purpose of this study was to define development of the BMZ in the trachea of growing rhesus monkeys at 1, 2, 3, and 6 mo of age. We measured immunoreactivity of collagen types I, III, and V to detect structural changes in the developing BMZ. To detect more dynamic, functional components of the epithelial-mesenchymal trophic unit, we evaluated the distribution of perlecan, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), and fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR-1). One-month-old monkeys had a mean collagen BMZ width of 1.5 +/- 0.7 microm that increased to 4.4 +/- 0.4 microm in 6-mo-old monkeys. Perlecan was localized in the BMZ of the epithelium at all ages. FGF-2 was strongly expressed in basal cells at 1-3 mo. At 6 mo, FGF-2 was expressed throughout the BMZ and weakly in basal cells. FGFR-1 immunoreactivity was expressed by basal cells and cilia and weakly in the nuclei of columnar cells at all time points. These data indicate that development of the BMZ is a postnatal event in the rhesus monkey that involves FGF-2.

Aging↗
PubMed2002

Mouse strain modulates the role of the ciliated cell in acute tracheobronchial airway injury-distal airways.

Understanding cellular repair mechanisms in vivo has been advanced through the use of well-defined injury and repair models and their application to knockout and transgenic animals, primarily mice generated in a variety of background strains. However, little is known concerning the effect that mouse strain itself has on the interpretation and comparability of observations when the strain used for genetic manipulation is not the strain used to develop the model. We compared acute bronchiolar injury and repair in three strains of mice used in knockout mouse development (C57BL/6, 129/TerSv, and 129/SvEv) to the model strain (Swiss Webster) after treatment with the same dose of naphthalene and sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, 7, and 14 days after treatment. Extent of Clara cell toxicity and exfoliation was identical in the distal airways of all strains. There were significant strain-related differences in ciliated cell squamation, initiation and duration of proliferation, epithelial differentiation, and time to completion of epithelial repair. We conclude that ciliated cells play a prominent role in repair of distal airway injury, but that all phases of the repair process differ by strain. In addition, our findings reinforce that control animals must be of the same strain, ideally litter mates, when transgenic or knockout mice are used for the study of airway repair processes and mechanisms.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

Induction of tolerance to naphthalene in Clara cells is dependent on a stable phenotypic adaptation favoring maintenance of the glutathione pool.

Repeated exposures to the Clara cell cytotoxicant naphthalene (NA) result in target cell populations that become refractory to further injury. To determine whether tolerance occurs from specific adaptations favoring glutathione (GSH) resynthesis without broad shifts in cellular phenotype, mice were administered NA for 21 days. We found that gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) was induced in tolerant Clara cells by repeated exposures to NA. Treating tolerant mice with buthionine sulfoximine, a gamma-GCS inhibitor, eliminates resistance acquired by repeated exposures to NA. Broad phenotypic shifts were not present. Marker proteins of differentiation declined over the first 3 days in the development of tolerance, but returned to control levels at 14 and 21 days. Epithelial organizational structure and internal organelle composition in Clara cells from tolerant mice were similar compared to corn oil-treated controls, while subtle shifts in organelle distribution were present. We conclude that induction of gamma-GCS expression is coordinated with the development of NA tolerance, but induction of NA tolerance does not markedly alter Clara cell differentiation, epithelial organization, or organelle composition in bronchiolar epithelium.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2002

Fibroblast growth factor-2 in remodeling of the developing basement membrane zone in the trachea of infant rhesus monkeys sensitized and challenged with allergen.

SUMMARY: Remodeling of the epithelial basement membrane zone (BMZ) involves increased deposition of collagen, resulting in thickening of the BMZ. The current study focuses on fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in the tracheal BMZ in house dust mite allergen (HDMA)-sensitized infant rhesus monkeys, challenged with HDMA at a time when the BMZ is undergoing active postnatal development. To detect structural changes in the BMZ, we measured collagens I, III, and V. To detect changes in the function of the BMZ, we measured immunoreactivity of the heparan sulfate proteoglycan, perlecan, and FGF-2. We found significant thickening of the tracheal BMZ (p < 0.05) with each of these parameters. We also found that all HDMA tracheal samples expressed thin focal areas of the BMZ associated with leukocyte trafficking. These areas were depleted of perlecan and FGF-2; however, increased FGF-2 immunoreactivity was present in the adjacent basal cells. We conclude that basal cells and FGF-2 are involved with significant remodeling of the BMZ in the developing trachea of infant rhesus monkeys exposed to HDMA.

Allergens↗
PubMed2002

Methacholine responsiveness of proximal and distal airways of monkeys and rats using videomicrometry.

Rat and monkey are species that are used in models of human airway hyperresponsiveness. However, the wall structures of rat and monkey airways are different from each other, with that of the monkey more closely resembling that of humans. We hypothesized that differences in wall structure would explain differences in airway responsiveness. Using videomicrometry, we measured airway luminal area in lung slices to compare proximal and distal airway responsiveness to methacholine in the rat and monkey. The airway type was then histologically identified. Proximal airways of the young rat and monkey were equally responsive to methacholine. In contrast, respiratory bronchioles of monkeys were less responsive than were their proximal bronchi, whereas the distal bronchioles of rats were more responsive than their proximal bronchioles. Both proximal and distal airways of younger monkeys were more responsive than those of older monkeys. Airway heterogeneity in young monkeys was greatest with regard to degree of airway closure of respiratory bronchioles. We conclude that responsiveness to methacholine varies with airway wall structure and location.

Aging↗
PubMed2002

Clara cell secretory protein deficiency alters clara cell secretory apparatus and the protein composition of airway lining fluid.

Clara cells represent the predominant secretory cell within distal conducting airways of mammals and exhibit functional alterations with chronic lung disease. We previously demonstrated that Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP) deficiency results in enhanced susceptibility to environmental agents. The present study was undertaken to define changes in Clara cell secretory function associated with CCSP deficiency in knockout mice. Comparative morphometry of Clara cell ultrastructure revealed dramatic alterations in secretory apparatus between wild-type (WT) and CCSP knockout (CCSP-/-) mice. Secretory granules, which occupy greater than 2% of Clara cell cytoplasmic volume in WT mice, were completely absent among Clara cells of CCSP-/- mice. Moreover, Clara cells of CCSP-/- mice exhibited a > 95% reduction in rough endoplasmic reticulum and alterations to Golgi apparatus, relative to WT controls. Ultrastructural perturbations to Clara cells were associated with altered protein composition of airway lining fluid as revealed by two-dimensional gel analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage proteins, but were not associated with altered abundance or secretion of CC26, another Clara cell secretory protein. We conclude that CCSP is required for the appearance of Clara cell secretory granules and that functional changes to Clara cells that result from CCSP deficiency lead to alterations in the composition of epithelial lining fluid.

Animals↗