Fryer Lab
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Contact Information Allison D. Fryer, Ph.D. |
Inflammatory Cells and Autonomic Nerves, Muscarinic Receptor Pharmacology, Lung Physiology
Research in our lab is concerned with identifying the mechanisms that underlie airway hyperreactivity characteristic of asthma. The parasympathetic nerves provide the dominant autonomic control of airway smooth muscle. We have shown that release of acetylcholine from these nerves is limited by neuronal M2 receptors and that one mechanism of airway hyperreactivity is blockade of the neuronal M2 receptors by an endogenous antagonist, eosinophil major basic protein, as outlined below.
We are studying function and expression of muscarinic receptors on nerves, function and expression of adhesion molecules and chemotactic factors by the nerves and mechanisms underlying airway hyperreactivity following exposure to organophosphate insecticides or ozone, or to viral infection. Mechanisms underlying the recruitment to and activation of eosinophils by parasympathetic nerves are additional areas of active interest in the lab. Finally, neural plasticity of the parasympathetic nerves following inflammation is another area of research. The methods used in the lab are varied. We are able to study the mechanisms that alter receptor expression and function at the molecular and pharmacological level and test whether they are physiologically relevant in isolated cells and in vivo.
Techniques include:
- In vivo measurement of airway function
- In vitro measurement of neurotransmitter release
- Measurement of eosinophil activation in isolated cells
- Primary culture of parasympathetic nerves
- Real time PCR
- Receptor binding assays
- Immunohistochemistry
- Quantative Histology
