Vagal control of mucociliary clearance in murine lungs: a study in a chronic preparation.

We conducted several experiments that focused on the effect of vagal control on mucociliary clearance (MCC) in murine lungs. We hypothesized that loss of vagal control by chronic denervation (i.e.

Chronic inhalation of nebulized levalbuterol does not increase mucociliary clearance in healthy subjects.

Acute inhalations of beta 2-adrenergic receptor agonists increase mucociliary clearance (MCC). Less is known about the effect of long-term inhalations of these agents on MCC, or cough clearance (CC). We hypothesized that chronic inhalations of nebulized levalbuterol, the R-isomer of albuterol, would enhance MCC and/or CC in healthy subjects, compared to albuterol or placebo.

IL-12 overexpression in mice as a model for Sjögren lung disease.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12), a Th1 proinflammatory cytokine, is reported to be increased in Sjögren syndrome. To evaluate the effects of local Th1/Th2 deregulation, we generated a transgenic mouse model that overexpresses IL-12 in the lungs. IL-12 transgenic mice developed bronchial and alveolar abnormalities strikingly similar to those found in the lungs of Sjögren patients.