Developmental differences in the contractile response of isolated ovine tracheal smooth muscle cells.

Previous studies have shown developmental differences in smooth muscle tone of the airways. Differences in airway mechanics may be based upon cellular differences between animals of different ages. We developed a method [Driska et al.

Correlation of tracheal smooth muscle function with structure and protein expression during early development.

With increased survival of premature infants, understanding the impact of development on airway function and structure is imperative. Airway smooth muscle plays a primary role in the modulation of airway function. The purpose of this study is to correlate the functional maturation of airway smooth muscle during the perinatal period with structural alterations at the cellular, ultrastructural, and molecular levels.

The impact of mechanical ventilation on immature airway smooth muscle: functional, structural, histological, and molecular correlates.

Preterm infants exposed to mechanical ventilation often develop airway dysfunction and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The mechanisms of mechanical ventilation-induced airway injury are currently unknown. This study correlates the age-related effects of mechanical ventilation on airway function with structural alterations at the tissue, cellular, ultrastructural, and molecular levels.