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Vitamin D supplementation of initially vitamin D-deficient mice diminishes lung inflammation with limited effects on pulmonary epithelial integrityIn disease settings, vitamin D may be important for maintaining optimal lung epithelial integrity and suppressing inflammation, but less is known of its effects prior to disease onset.
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Effect of human rhinovirus infection on airway epithelium tight junction protein disassembly and transepithelial permeabilityHRV-1B infection directly alters human airway epithelial TJ expression leading to increased epithelial permeability potentially via antiviral response of IL-15
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Sensitizing and Th2 Adjuvant Activity of Cysteine Protease AllergensHere, we report on a model that does not use Th2-skewing adjuvants and yet achieves sensitization solely via the nasal mucosa.
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In utero cigarette smoke exposure impairs somatic and lung growth in BALB/c miceThe aim of this study was to assess whether in utero tobacco smoke exposure alone affects early-life lung growth and development. Pregnant BALB/c mice...
The Respiratory Environmental Health team conducts research in early life determinants of lung growth and development, respiratory environmental health, and mechanisms of airway dysfunction in asthma and other respiratory disease.
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Early life rhinovirus infection exacerbates house-dust-mite induced lung disease more severely in female miceEarly life rhinovirus infection influences the development of house-dust-mite induced lung disease in female, but not male mice
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The effect of diesel exhaust exposure on blood-brain barrier integrity and function in a murine modelEpidemiological studies indicate that exposure to diesel exhaust (DE) is associated with vascular-based disorders.
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Biodiesel exhaust-induced cytotoxicity and proinflammatory mediator production in human airway epithelial cellsOur results show that canola biodiesel exhaust exposure elicits inflammation and reduces viability of human epithelial cell cultures in vitro when compared...
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Stiffness Mediated-Mechanosensation of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells on Linear Stiffness Gradient HydrogelsIn obstructive airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein amount and composition of the airway smooth muscle (ASM) is often remodelled, likely altering tissue stiffness. The underlying mechanism of how human ASM cell (hASMC) mechanosenses the aberrant microenvironment is not well understood.
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Partial amelioration of a chronic cigarette-smoke-induced phenotype in mice by switching to electronic cigarettesElectronic cigarettes ("e-cigarettes") are often marketed as smoking cessation tools and are used by smokers to reduce/quit cigarette smoking. The objective of this study was to assess the health effects of switching to e-cigarettes after long-term smoking in a mouse model and compare these effects with continued smoking, or quitting entirely.