A PREPARATION FOR THE STUDY OF SECRETORY FUNCTION OF THE HUMAN BRONCHUS INVITRO

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 65  (4) , 239-250
Abstract
Bronchi, not involved in tumor, were removed from resected human lungs. They were mounted in Ussing chambers containing Krebs-Henseleit solution with radiolabeled precursors of mucus. Airway was examined by light microscopy and EM. Tissues recently removed from resected lungs exhibited intra- and extracellular edema and hypoxic changes in mitochondria, but tight junctions between epithelial cells appeared intact, indicating an effective epithelial barrier. Tissues removed from Ussing chambers after up to 6 h showed little edema and their mitochondria were normal. Their appearance had returned to that of specimens taken at biopsy and fixed immediately. Autoradiographs of specimens from Ussing chambers showed that the mucus-producing cells had concentrated the radiolabels. Mucus in gland ducts was also radiolabeled. Damaged areas of mucous membrane were rare and probably preoperative. Resected bronchi, suspended in Ussing chambers, have a structure and secretory activity suitable for investigations of the control of secretion.