Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome is a form of irritant-induced asthma that has been documented after acute exposure to chlorine (Cl2) gas. Animal models of Cl2 exposure indicate that the airway epithelium is a target. gammadelta T-Cells are present in the mucosal surface of the airways and may control the growth and differentiation of the airway epithelial cells. However, the role of these cells in the airway response to Cl 2 exposure has not been elucidated. / Aim. To study the role of gammadelta T-cells in the response to Cl2 exposure with respect to inflammation and lung function. / Methods. C57B1/6J (wild type) and TCR-delta -/- mice exposed to Cl2 (400ppm) for 5 minutes were mechanically ventilated for measurement of responses to i.v. methacholine (MCh) at 1, 3, and 5 days after exposure. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed to determine epithelial and leukocyte counts, and protein content. Tissues were harvested for PCNA immunoreactivity to evaluate the rate of repair of the epithelium. / Results. Wild type mice developed a greater degree of airway hyperresponsiveness to MCh at 1 day post exposure to Cl2 compared with TCR-delta-/- mice. Epithelial cell counts in BAL after Cl2 exposure were greater in TCR-delta -/- mice, and the pattern of inflammation differed in wild type and TCR-delta-/- mice; macrophages showed a later peak and granulocyte numbers were lower in TCR-delta-/- than in wild type mice. Both groups of mice had increased levels of total protein content in BAL after Cl2 exposure that resolved after 3 and 5 days, respectively. TCR-delta -/- mice have a lower rate of epithelial regeneration as shown by PCNA immunoreactivity. / Conclusion. The severity of airway injury after Cl 2 appears to be greater in TCR-delta-/- mice but the lack of TCR-delta seems to abrogate the changes in airway responsiveness to i.v. methacholine.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.82265 |
| Date | January 2005 |
| Creators | Koohsari, Hossein |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Master of Science (Department of Physiology.) |
| Rights | All items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. |
| Relation | alephsysno: 002198679, proquestno: AAIMR12476, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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