The airway longitudinal elastic fiber network and mucosal folding in patients with asthma

Citation
Ng. Carroll et al., The airway longitudinal elastic fiber network and mucosal folding in patients with asthma, AM J R CRIT, 161(1), 2000, pp. 244-248
Citations number
20
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems","da verificare
Journal title
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
ISSN journal
1073449X → ACNP
Volume
161
Issue
1
Year of publication
2000
Pages
244 - 248
Database
ISI
SICI code
1073-449X(200001)161:1<244:TALEFN>2.0.ZU;2-Y
Abstract
A submucosal network of elastic fibers in a collagen and myofibroblast matr ix form discrete longitudinal bundles (LB) in the bronchial tree. The LB ma y affect airway function by altering the mechanical properties of the airwa y wall or by changing the folding behavior of the airway mucosa. The area a nd number of LB were quantified from 12 cases each of fatal asthma (FA), no nfatal asthma (NF), and nonasthmatic (NA) control cases on elastic-trichrom e stained airways. The effects of group, sex, age, and smoking were examine d using multiple linear regression. The area fraction of LB increased (p < 0.05) approximately twofold in cases of FA compared with NA control cases i n both large and small airways. The areas of LB were increased in smokers, older subjects, and men (p < 0.05). The number of mucosal folds was related to the number of longitudinal bundles in asthmatics and nonasthmatics and was not different between groups. Collagen and myofibroblasts were increase d (p < 0.05) in LB of FA and NF cases compared with NA control cases. The i ncreased size and altered composition of LB in asthma may influence airway function; however, excessive airway narrowing in asthma is not due to alter ed numbers of mucosal folds.