ABSTRACT: Integrated behavior and transcriptomic analysis provide valuable insights into the response mechanisms of Dastarcus helophoroides Fairmaire to light exposure
Project description:Exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) is etiologically linked to the development of fatal respiratory diseases, and there is a need to understand the mechanisms whereby CS causes damage. While animal models have provided valuable insights into smoking-related respiratory tract damage, modern toxicity testing calls for reliable in vitro models as alternatives for animal experimentation. Primary cells and immortalized cell lines can be used to gain some insight; however, the three-dimensional organotypic culture systems probably better mimic the morphological, physiological, and molecular attributes of the human respiratory tract. Even though the bronchus, bronchioles, and lung parenchyma are the primary sites of smoking-related respiratory disease manifestation, the nasal epithelium has been proposed as a surrogate tissue to study the effects of smoking on the respiratory tract. Here, we report on a repeated whole mainstream CS exposure of nasal and bronchial organotypic tissue cultures from which transcriptomic data were collected at several post-exposure time points. Despite the remarkably similar histology and cellular response to whole CS in both tissue types, as measured by cellular staining and cytokine secretion assessment, transcriptomic analyses combined with quantitative biological network modeling identified biological mechanisms that were unique to bronchial tissue at late post-exposure time points. Organotypic models therefore appear to be a promising alternative to animal experimentation, and provide species-relevant insights into the effects of CS exposure on the respiratory system.
Project description:Purpose: The purpose of this study was to comprehensively identify the gene expression changes that occur after chronic sleep fragmentation. Method: We conducted total microarray analysis of the heart in mice following 5 weeks of sleep fragmentation. Results: The microarray analysis revealed significant and dramatic gene expression changes in the mouse heart as a result of chronic sleep fragmentation. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the biological impact of chronic sleep fragmentation, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms involved.
