Publications by authors named "J C Schittny"
(1) Background: Stereological estimations significantly contributed to our understanding of lung anatomy and physiology. Taking stereology fully 3-dimensional facilitates the estimation of novel parameters. (2) Methods: We developed a protocol for the analysis of all airspaces of an entire lung.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe goal of this study is to assess the feasibility of airway geometry as a biomarker for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Chest computed tomography images of children with a documented diagnosis of ASD as well as healthy controls were identified retrospectively. Fifty-four scans were obtained for analysis, including 31 ASD cases and 23 controls.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrovascular maturation of the septal capillary layers takes place in parallel to alveolarization in human lungs.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol
November 2023
Primary and secondary septa formed during lung development contain a double-layered capillary network. To improve gas exchange, the capillary network is remodeled into a single-layered one, a process that is called microvascular maturation (MVM). It takes place during classical and continued alveolarization.
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- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death globally and may be triggered by both genetic and environmental factors, particularly early life nicotine exposure, which this study examines in relation to lung health and emphysema in adulthood.
- A two-hit model was used: mouse pups were exposed to nicotine in utero and during lactation, followed by elastase treatment at 11 weeks, with researchers measuring lung function and analyzing molecular changes over time.
- The study found that nicotine exposure did not adversely affect lung function compared to controls, but elastase treatment caused significant lung damage, inflammation, and alterations in lung mechanics, indicating the complex interplay between early life exposures and adult lung health.
Lung aging is characterized by lung function impairment, ECM remodeling and airspace enlargement. Tenascin-C (TNC) is a large extracellular matrix (ECM) protein with paracrine and autocrine regulatory functions on cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. This matricellular protein is highly expressed during organogenesis and morphogenetic events like injury repair, inflammation or cancer.
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