Lid B. Wong

Bidirectional Transepithelial Water Transport: Measurement and Governing Mechanisms

In the search for the mechanisms whereby water is transported across biological membranes, we hypothesized that in the airways, the hydration of the periciliary fluid layer is regulated by luminal-to-basolateral water transport coupled to active transepithelial sodium transport. The luminal-to-basolateral (JWL-->B) and the basolateral-to-luminal (JWB-->L) transepithelial water fluxes across ovine tracheal epithelia were measured simultaneously. The JWL-->B (6.1 microliter/min/cm2) was larger than JWB-->L (4.5 microliter/min/cm2, p < 0.05, n = 30). The corresponding water diffusional permeabilities were PdL-->B = 1.0 x 10(-4) cm/s and PdB-->L = 7.5 x 10(-5) cm/s. The activation energy (Ea) of JWL-->B (11.6 kcal/mol) was larger than the Ea of JWB-->L (6.5 kcal/mol, p < 0.05, n = 5). Acetylstrophanthidin (100 microM basolateral) reduced JWL-->B from 6.1 to 4.4 microliter/min/cm2 (p < 0. 05, n = 5) and abolished the PD. Amiloride (10 microM luminal) reduced JWL-->B from 5.7 to 3.7 microliter/min/cm2 (p < 0.05, n = 5) and reduced PD by 44%. Neither of these agents significantly changed JWB-->L. These data indicate that in tracheal epithelia under homeostatic conditions, JWB-->L was dominated by diffusion (Ea = 4.6 kcal/mol), whereas approximately 30% of JWL-->B was coupled to the active Na+,K+-ATPase pump (Ea = 27 kcal/mol).

Fluorescence and Laser Photon Counting: Measurements of Epithelial [Ca2+]i or [Na+]i with Ciliary Beat Frequency

AbstractWe describe a system we developed that enabled simultaneous measurements of either epithelial calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) or sodium ion concentration [Na+]i with the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in native ciliated epithelia using either Fura-2 (AM) or SBFI (AM) ratiometric fluorescence photon counting along with nonstationary laser light scattering. Studies were performed using native epithelial tissues obtained from ovine tracheae. The dynamic range of the laser light-scattering system was determined by a simulated light “beating” experiment. The nonstationary CBF was demonstrated by the time-frequency analysis of the raw photon count sequences of backscattered heterodyne photons from cultured and native epithelia. Calibrations of calcium and sodium ion concentrations were performed using the respective Fura-2 and SBFI impermanent salts as well as in native epithelia. The cumulative responses of 10−6, 10−5, and 10−4} M nifedipine on [Ca2+]i together with the CBF as well as the cumulative responses of 10−5, 10−4, and 10−3 M amiloride on [Na+]i together with the CBF were also determined. Nifedipine decreased [Ca2+]i but had no effect on CBF. Amiloride decreased [Na+]i and CBF. Stimulation of CBF corresponded with either an increase of [Na+]i or an increase of [Ca2+]i. Decreases of [Na+]i or substantial decreases of [Ca2+]i were associated with decreases in the CBF. These data demonstrate the utility of this system for investigating the regulatory mechanisms of intracellular ions dynamics and the CBF in native epithelia.

Regulatory pathways for the stimulation of canine tracheal ciliary beat frequency by bradykinin.

1. The effects of bradykinin, a potent inflammatory nanopeptide, on tracheal ciliary beat frequency in vivo were investigated using barbiturate‐anaesthetized beagles. Tracheal ciliary beat frequency was measured using heterodyne mode correlation analysis laser light scattering, a technique that does not require surgical intervention. 2. Aerosolized 10(‐5) M‐bradykinin in 0.9% saline administered for 3 min to eight barbiturate‐anaesthetized beagles stimulated tracheal ciliary beat frequency from the baseline of 5.3 +/‐ 0.1 Hz to a maximum of 16.6 +/‐ 2.0 Hz, 8 min after aerosol delivery, and ciliary beat frequency remained above baseline for the following 35 min. 3. Intravenously injected hexamethonium bromide, ipratropium bromide or indomethacin did not change baseline tracheal ciliary beat frequency. That down‐regulation of ciliary beat frequency below baseline values was not observed with either the neural or the cyclooxygenase blocking agents suggests that neither of these pathways is involved in the maintenance of the observed basal ciliary beat frequency. 4. Bradykinin‐induced stimulation of tracheal ciliary beat frequency is blocked by hexamethonium bromide, ipratropium bromide or indomethacin. These data suggest that the stimulation of ciliary beat frequency by bradykinin acts through both cellular cyclooxygenase and parasympathetic pathways in series.

Miniature Corrugated Diaphragm for Fiber-Optic-Linked Pressure Sensing (FOLPS)

This paper presents miniature (diameter less than 1.5 mm) corrugated parylene/Cr/parylene diaphragms that provide ultra sensitive load-deflection (±100 μm for ±1kPa) and reflective surface for optical sensing. The design, fabrication, and test results of the ultra low pressure transducer for biomedical applications are reported here. The diaphragms have been attached to stainless steel tubes that are suitable for most endoscopes.Copyright