The actin regulator zyxin reinforces airway smooth muscle and accumulates in airways of fatal asthmatics.

Bronchospasm induced in non-asthmatic human subjects can be easily reversed by a deep inspiration (DI) whereas bronchospasm that occurs spontaneously in asthmatic subjects cannot. This physiological effect of a DI has been attributed to the manner in which a DI causes airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells to stretch, but underlying molecular mechanisms-and their failure in asthma-remain obscure. Using cells and tissues from wild type and zyxin-/- mice we report responses to a transient stretch of physiologic magnitude and duration.

Airway contractility in the precision-cut lung slice after cryopreservation.

An emerging tool in airway biology is the precision-cut lung slice (PCLS). Adoption of the PCLS as a model for assessing airway reactivity has been hampered by the limited time window within which tissues remain viable. Here we demonstrate that the PCLS can be frozen, stored long-term, and then thawed for later experimental use.

Illuminating human health through cell mechanics.

Cells reside in mechanically rich and dynamic microenvironments, and the complex interplay between mechanics and biology is widely acknowledged. Recent research has yielded insights linking the mechanobiology of cells, human physiology, and pathophysiology. In particular, we have learned of the cell's astounding ability to sense and respond to its mechanical microenvironment.