Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., Volume 156, Number 6, December 1997, 1752-1759

Airway Smooth Muscle, Tidal Stretches, and Dynamically Determined Contractile States

JEFFREY J. FREDBERG, DAVID INOUYE, BRETT MILLER, MADHAVI NATHAN, SAMAH JAFARI, SOUFIA HELIOUI RABOUDI, JAMES P. BUTLER, and STEPHANIE A. SHORE

Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts

In the classic theory of airway lumen narrowing in asthma, active force in airway smooth muscle is presumed to be in static mechanical equilibrium with the external load against which the muscle has shortened. This theory is useful because it identifies the static equilibrium length toward which activated airway smooth muscle would tend if given enough time. The corresponding state toward which myosin-actin interactions would tend is called the latch state. But are the concepts of a static mechanical equilibrium and the latch state applicable in the setting of tidal loading, as occurs during breathing? To address this question, we have studied isolated, maximally contracted bovine tracheal smooth muscle subjected to tidal stretches imposed at 0.33 Hz. We measured the active force (F) and stiffness (E), which reflect numbers of actin-myosin interactions, and hysteresivity (), which reflects the rate of turnover of those interactions. When the amplitude of imposed tidal stretch () was very small, 0.25% of muscle optimal length, the steady-state value of F approximated the isometric force, E was large, and  was small. When  was increased beyond 1%, however, F and E promptly decreased and  promptly increased. The muscle could be maintained in these steady, dynamically determined contractile states for as long as the tidal stretches were sustained; when  subsequently decreased back to 0.25%, F, E, and  returned slowly toward their previous values. The provocative stretch amplitude required to cause active force or muscle stiffness to fall by half, or hysteresivity to double, was slightly greater than 2%. These observations are consistent with a direct effect of stretch upon bridge dynamics in which, with increasing tidal stretch amplitude, the number of actin-myosin interactions decreases and their rate of turnover increases. We conclude that the interactions of myosin with actin are at every instant tending toward those that would prevail in the isometric steady state, but tidal changes of muscle length cause an excess in the rate of detachment. These stretch-induced detachment events can come so fast compared with the rate of attachment that static equilibrium conditions are never attained. If so, then airway lumenal narrowing and the underlying contractile state would be governed by a dynamic mechanical process rather than by a mechanical equilibrium of static forces.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. H. T. Bates, M. Rincon, and C. G. Irvin Animal models of asthma Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, September 1, 2009; 297(3): L401 - L410. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Torchio, A. Gobbi, C. Gulotta, R. Dellaca, M. Tinivella, R. E. Hyatt, V. Brusasco, and R. Pellegrino Mechanical effects of obesity on airway responsiveness in otherwise healthy humans J Appl Physiol, August 1, 2009; 107(2): 408 - 416. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Baroffio, G. Barisione, E. Crimi, and V. Brusasco Noninflammatory mechanisms of airway hyper-responsiveness in bronchial asthma: an overview Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease, August 1, 2009; 3(4): 163 - 174. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. H. T. Bates, S. R. Bullimore, A. Z. Politi, J. Sneyd, R. C. Anafi, and A. -M. Lauzon Transient oscillatory force-length behavior of activated airway smooth muscle Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, August 1, 2009; 297(2): L362 - L372. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. L. Lavoie, M. L. Dowell, O. J. Lakser, W. T. Gerthoffer, J. J. Fredberg, C. Y. Seow, R. W. Mitchell, and J. Solway Disrupting Actin-Myosin-Actin Connectivity in Airway Smooth Muscle as a Treatment for Asthma? Proceedings of the ATS, May 1, 2009; 6(3): 295 - 300. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. K. Ansell, P. K. McFawn, P. B. Noble, A. R. West, L. Fernandes, and H. W. Mitchell Potent bronchodilation and reduced stiffness by relaxant stimuli under dynamic conditions Eur. Respir. J., April 1, 2009; 33(4): 844 - 851. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. W. Kaczka, R. H. Brown, and W. Mitzner Assessment of heterogeneous airway constriction in dogs: a structure-function analysis J Appl Physiol, February 1, 2009; 106(2): 520 - 530. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Leguillette, M. Laviolette, C. Bergeron, N. Zitouni, P. Kogut, J. Solway, L. Kachmar, Q. Hamid, and A.-M. Lauzon Myosin, Transgelin, and Myosin Light Chain Kinase: Expression and Function in Asthma Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., February 1, 2009; 179(3): 194 - 204. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. J. Lakser, M. L. Dowell, F. L. Hoyte, B. Chen, T. L. Lavoie, C. Ferreira, L. H. Pinto, N. O. Dulin, P. Kogut, J. Churchill, et al. Steroids augment relengthening of contracted airway smooth muscle: potential additional mechanism of benefit in asthma Eur. Respir. J., November 1, 2008; 32(5): 1224 - 1230. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. J. Gunst and W. Zhang Actin cytoskeletal dynamics in smooth muscle: a new paradigm for the regulation of smooth muscle contraction Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, September 1, 2008; 295(3): C576 - C587. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. S. LaPrad, A. R. West, P. B. Noble, K. R. Lutchen, and H. W. Mitchell Maintenance of airway caliber in isolated airways by deep inspiration and tidal strains J Appl Physiol, August 1, 2008; 105(2): 479 - 485. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. Zhang and S. J. Gunst Interactions of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells with Their Tissue Matrix: Implications for Contraction Proceedings of the ATS, January 1, 2008; 5(1): 32 - 39. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Leguillette and A.-M. Lauzon Molecular Mechanics of Smooth Muscle Contractile Proteins in Airway Hyperresponsiveness and Asthma Proceedings of the ATS, January 1, 2008; 5(1): 40 - 46. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. H. T. Bates, A. Cojocaru, and L. K. A. Lundblad Bronchodilatory effect of deep inspiration on the dynamics of bronchoconstriction in mice J Appl Physiol, November 1, 2007; 103(5): 1696 - 1705. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. B. Noble, P. K. McFawn, and H. W. Mitchell Responsiveness of the isolated airway during simulated deep inspirations: effect of airway smooth muscle stiffness and strain J Appl Physiol, September 1, 2007; 103(3): 787 - 795. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. N. Oliver, B. Fabry, A. Marinkovic, S. M. Mijailovich, J. P. Butler, and J. J. Fredberg Airway Hyperresponsiveness, Remodeling, and Smooth Muscle Mass: Right Answer, Wrong Reason? Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol., September 1, 2007; 37(3): 264 - 272. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Winkler and J. G. Venegas Complex airway behavior and paradoxical responses to bronchoprovocation J Appl Physiol, August 1, 2007; 103(2): 655 - 663. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Venegas Linking ventilation heterogeneity and airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma Thorax, August 1, 2007; 62(8): 653 - 654. [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. J. Weiner, J. McDonough, and J. Allen Asthma as a Barrier to Children's Physical Activity Pediatrics, June 1, 2007; 119(6): 1247 - 1248. [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. S. An, T. R. Bai, J. H. T. Bates, J. L. Black, R. H. Brown, V. Brusasco, P. Chitano, L. Deng, M. Dowell, D. H. Eidelman, et al. Airway smooth muscle dynamics: a common pathway of airway obstruction in asthma Eur. Respir. J., May 1, 2007; 29(5): 834 - 860. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. H. T. Bates and A.-M. Lauzon Parenchymal tethering, airway wall stiffness, and the dynamics of bronchoconstriction J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2007; 102(5): 1912 - 1920. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. A. Affonce and K. R. Lutchen New perspectives on the mechanical basis for airway hyperreactivity and airway hypersensitivity in asthma J Appl Physiol, December 1, 2006; 101(6): 1710 - 1719. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Schweitzer, L. T. T. Vu, Y. T. Nguyen, C. Chone, B. Demoulin, and F. Marchal Estimation of the bronchodilatory effect of deep inhalation after a free run in children Eur. Respir. J., July 1, 2006; 28(1): 89 - 95. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. S. An, B. Fabry, X. Trepat, N. Wang, and J. J. Fredberg Do Biophysical Properties of the Airway Smooth Muscle in Culture Predict Airway Hyperresponsiveness? Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol., July 1, 2006; 35(1): 55 - 64. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				X. Trepat, F. Puig, N. Gavara, J. J. Fredberg, R. Farre, and D. Navajas Effect of stretch on structural integrity and micromechanics of human alveolar epithelial cell monolayers exposed to thrombin Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, June 1, 2006; 290(6): L1104 - L1110. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Ito, A. Majumdar, H. Kume, K. Shimokata, K. Naruse, K. R. Lutchen, D. Stamenovic, and B. Suki Viscoelastic and dynamic nonlinear properties of airway smooth muscle tissue: roles of mechanical force and the cytoskeleton Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, June 1, 2006; 290(6): L1227 - L1237. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Kanefsky, M. Lenburg, and C.-M. Hai Cholinergic Receptor and Cyclic Stretch-Mediated Inflammatory Gene Expression in Intact ASM Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol., April 1, 2006; 34(4): 417 - 425. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. S. P. Silveira, J. P. Butler, and J. J. Fredberg Length adaptation of airway smooth muscle: a stochastic model of cytoskeletal dynamics J Appl Physiol, December 1, 2005; 99(6): 2087 - 2098. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Wang, P. Chitano, and T. M. Murphy Maturation of guinea pig tracheal strip stiffness Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, December 1, 2005; 289(6): L902 - L908. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Wang, P. Chitano, and T. M. Murphy Length oscillation induces force potentiation in infant guinea pig airway smooth muscle Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, December 1, 2005; 289(6): L909 - L915. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. H. T. Bates and A.-M. Lauzon Modeling the oscillation dynamics of activated airway smooth muscle strips Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, November 1, 2005; 289(5): L849 - L855. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Deng, N. J. Fairbank, D. J. Cole, J. J. Fredberg, and G. N. Maksym Airway smooth muscle tone modulates mechanically induced cytoskeletal stiffening and remodeling J Appl Physiol, August 1, 2005; 99(2): 634 - 641. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Z. Xue, L. Zhang, R. Ramchandani, Y. Liu, V. B. Antony, S. J. Gunst, and R. S. Tepper Respiratory system responsiveness in rabbits in vivo is reduced by prolonged continuous positive airway pressure J Appl Physiol, August 1, 2005; 99(2): 677 - 682. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Suki, S. Ito, D. Stamenovic, K. R. Lutchen, and E. P. Ingenito Biomechanics of the lung parenchyma: critical roles of collagen and mechanical forces J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2005; 98(5): 1892 - 1899. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Bruton and S. T. Holgate Hypocapnia and Asthma: A Mechanism for Breathing Retraining? Chest, May 1, 2005; 127(5): 1808 - 1811. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. G. Sulit, A. Storfer-Isser, C. L. Rosen, H. L. Kirchner, and S. Redline Associations of Obesity, Sleep-disordered Breathing, and Wheezing in Children Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., March 15, 2005; 171(6): 659 - 664. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. G. Salerno, R. Pellegrino, G. Trocchio, A. Spanevello, V. Brusasco, and E. Crimi Attenuation of induced bronchoconstriction in healthy subjects: effects of breathing depth J Appl Physiol, March 1, 2005; 98(3): 817 - 821. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. W. Thorpe, C. M. Salome, N. Berend, and G. G. King Modeling airway resistance dynamics after tidal and deep inspirations J Appl Physiol, November 1, 2004; 97(5): 1643 - 1653. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. R. Khangure, P. B. Noble, A. Sharma, P. Y. Chia, P. K. McFawn, and H. W. Mitchell Cyclical elongation regulates contractile responses of isolated airways J Appl Physiol, September 1, 2004; 97(3): 913 - 919. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Puig-de-Morales, E. Millet, B. Fabry, D. Navajas, N. Wang, J. P. Butler, and J. J. Fredberg Cytoskeletal mechanics in adherent human airway smooth muscle cells: probe specificity and scaling of protein-protein dynamics Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, September 1, 2004; 287(3): C643 - C654. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Wang, H.-W. Liu, K. D. McNeill, G. Stelmack, J. E. Scott, and A. J. Halayko Mechanical Strain Inhibits Airway Smooth Muscle Gene Transcription via Protein Kinase C Signaling Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol., July 1, 2004; 31(1): 54 - 61. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Wagers, L. K. A. Lundblad, M. Ekman, C. G. Irvin, and J. H. T. Bates The allergic mouse model of asthma: normal smooth muscle in an abnormal lung? J Appl Physiol, June 1, 2004; 96(6): 2019 - 2027. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. D. Black, A. C. Henderson, H. Atileh, E. Israel, E. P. Ingenito, and K. R. Lutchen Relating maximum airway dilation and subsequent reconstriction to reactivity in human lungs J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2004; 96(5): 1808 - 1814. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. J. Robinson, R. R. Schellenberg, Y. Wakai, J. Road, and P. D. Pare Canine trachealis muscle shortening and cartilage mechanics J Appl Physiol, March 1, 2004; 96(3): 1063 - 1068. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. B. Noble, P. K. McFawn, and H. W. Mitchell Intraluminal pressure oscillation enhances subsequent airway contraction in isolated bronchial segments J Appl Physiol, March 1, 2004; 96(3): 1161 - 1165. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F.G. Salerno, A. Fust, and M.S. Ludwig Stretch-induced changes in constricted lung parenchymal strips: role of extracellular matrix Eur. Respir. J., February 1, 2004; 23(2): 193 - 198. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. KUMAR, S. LNU, R. MALYA, D. BARRON, J. MOORE, D. B. CORRY, and A. M. BORIEK Mechanical stretch activates nuclear factor-kappaB, activator protein-1, and mitogen-activated protein kinases in lung parenchyma: implications in asthma FASEB J, October 1, 2003; 17(13): 1800 - 1811. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Brusasco and R. Pellegrino Invited Review: Complexity of factors modulating airway narrowing in vivo: relevance to assessment of airway hyperresponsiveness J Appl Physiol, September 1, 2003; 95(3): 1305 - 1313. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.C. Kips, G.P. Anderson, J.J. Fredberg, U. Herz, M.D. Inman, M. Jordana, D.M. Kemeny, J. Lotvall, R.A. Pauwels, C.G. Plopper, et al. Murine models of asthma Eur. Respir. J., August 1, 2003; 22(2): 374 - 382. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. J. Fernandes, R. W. Mitchell, O. Lakser, M. Dowell, A. G. Stewart, and J. Solway Invited Review: Do inflammatory mediators influence the contribution of airway smooth muscle contraction to airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma? J Appl Physiol, August 1, 2003; 95(2): 844 - 853. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. H. Brown and W. Mitzner Invited Review: Understanding airway pathophysiology with computed tomograpy J Appl Physiol, August 1, 2003; 95(2): 854 - 862. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. G. Smith, L. Deng, J. J. Fredberg, and G. N. Maksym Mechanical strain increases cell stiffness through cytoskeletal filament reorganization Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, August 1, 2003; 285(2): L456 - L463. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C.G. Irvin Lung volume: a principle determinant of airway smooth muscle function Eur. Respir. J., July 1, 2003; 22(1): 3 - 5. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M.A. McClean, M.J. Matheson, K. McKay, P.R.A. Johnson, A-C. Rynell, A.J. Ammit, J.L. Black, and N. Berend Low lung volume alters contractile properties of airway smooth muscle in sheep Eur. Respir. J., July 1, 2003; 22(1): 50 - 56. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. J. Gunst and J. J. Fredberg The first three minutes: smooth muscle contraction, cytoskeletal events, and soft glasses J Appl Physiol, July 1, 2003; 95(1): 413 - 425. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. E. McParland, P. T. Macklem, and P. D. Pare Airway wall remodeling: friend or foe? J Appl Physiol, July 1, 2003; 95(1): 426 - 434. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Corsico, M. Milanese, S. Baraldo, G. L. Casoni, A. Papi, A. M. Riccio, I. Cerveri, M. Saetta, and V. Brusasco Small airway morphology and lung function in the transition from normality to chronic airway obstruction J Appl Physiol, July 1, 2003; 95(1): 441 - 447. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. C. Anafi, K. C. Beck, and T. A. Wilson Impedance, gas mixing, and bimodal ventilation in constricted lungs J Appl Physiol, March 1, 2003; 94(3): 1003 - 1011. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. E. Suman and K. C. Beck Role of airway endogenous nitric oxide on lung function during and after exercise in mild asthma J Appl Physiol, December 1, 2002; 93(6): 1932 - 1938. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. J. Fredberg Airway narrowing in asthma: does speed kill? Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, December 1, 2002; 283(6): L1179 - L1180. [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Crimi, R. Pellegrino, M. Milanese, and V. Brusasco Deep breaths, methacholine, and airway narrowing in healthy and mild asthmatic subjects J Appl Physiol, October 1, 2002; 93(4): 1384 - 1390. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. C. Anafi and T. A. Wilson Empirical model for dynamic force-length behavior of airway smooth muscle J Appl Physiol, February 1, 2002; 92(2): 455 - 460. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Latourelle, B. Fabry, and J. J. Fredberg Dynamic equilibration of airway smooth muscle contraction during physiological loading J Appl Physiol, February 1, 2002; 92(2): 771 - 779. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. J. Gunst, X. Shen, R. Ramchandani, and R. S. Tepper Bronchoprotective and bronchodilatory effects of deep inspiration in rabbits subjected to bronchial challenge J Appl Physiol, December 1, 2001; 91(6): 2511 - 2516. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. H. Brown and W. Mitzner Airway response to deep inspiration: role of inflation pressure J Appl Physiol, December 1, 2001; 91(6): 2574 - 2578. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Brown and W. Mitzner Effects of tidal volume stretch on airway constriction in vivo J Appl Physiol, November 1, 2001; 91(5): 1995 - 1998. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Crimi, M. Milanese, S. Oddera, C. Mereu, G. A. Rossi, A. Riccio, G. W. Canonica, and V. Brusasco Inflammatory and mechanical factors of allergen-induced bronchoconstriction in mild asthma and rhinitis J Appl Physiol, September 1, 2001; 91(3): 1029 - 1034. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C.-L. Que, C. M. Kenyon, R. Olivenstein, P. T. Macklem, and G. N. Maksym Homeokinesis and short-term variability of human airway caliber J Appl Physiol, September 1, 2001; 91(3): 1131 - 1141. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. C. Anafi and T. A. Wilson Airway stability and heterogeneity in the constricted lung J Appl Physiol, September 1, 2001; 91(3): 1185 - 1192. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K G Tantisira and S T Weiss Complex interactions in complex traits: obesity and asthma Thorax, September 1, 2001; 56(90002): ii64 - 74. [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. J. Wetter, C. M. St. Croix, D. F. Pegelow, D. A. Sonetti, and J. A. Dempsey Effects of exhaustive endurance exercise on pulmonary gas exchange and airway function in women J Appl Physiol, August 1, 2001; 91(2): 847 - 858. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. V. Romero, W. A. Zin, and J. Lopez-Aguilar Frequency characteristics of lung tissue strip during passive stretch and induced pneumoconstriction J Appl Physiol, August 1, 2001; 91(2): 882 - 890. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Y. Seow and J. J. Fredberg Signal Transduction in Smooth Muscle: Historical perspective on airway smooth muscle: the saga of a frustrated cell J Appl Physiol, August 1, 2001; 91(2): 938 - 952. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. E. Bharucha, R. D. Hubmayr, I. J. Ferber, and A. R. Zinsmeister Viscoelastic properties of the human colon Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, August 1, 2001; 281(2): G459 - G466. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. R. LUTCHEN, A. JENSEN, H. ATILEH, D. W. KACZKA, E. ISRAEL, B. SUKI, and E. P. INGENITO Airway Constriction Pattern Is a Central Component of Asthma Severity . The Role of Deep Inspirations Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., July 15, 2001; 164(2): 207 - 215. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Y. N. Young, J. D. Gunzenhauser, K. E. Malone, and A. McTiernan Body Mass Index and Asthma in the Military Population of the Northwestern United States Arch Intern Med, July 9, 2001; 161(13): 1605 - 1611. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. H. Oldmixon, K. Carlsson, C. Kuhn III, J. P. Butler, and F. G. Hoppin Jr. {alpha}-Actin: disposition, quantities, and estimated effects on lung recoil and compliance J Appl Physiol, July 1, 2001; 91(1): 459 - 473. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Jensen, H. Atileh, B. Suki, E. P. Ingenito, and K. R. Lutchen Signal Transduction in Smooth Muscle: Selected Contribution: Airway caliber in healthy and asthmatic subjects: effects of bronchial challenge and deep inspirations J Appl Physiol, July 1, 2001; 91(1): 506 - 515. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Gump, L. Haughney, and J. Fredberg Relaxation of activated airway smooth muscle: relative potency of isoproterenol vs. tidal stretch J Appl Physiol, June 1, 2001; 90(6): 2306 - 2310. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. R. Shardonofsky, T. M. Officer, A. M. Boriek, and J. R. Rodarte Effects of smooth muscle activation on axial mechanical properties of excised canine bronchi J Appl Physiol, April 1, 2001; 90(4): 1258 - 1266. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. H. BROWN, N. SCICHILONE, B. MUDGE, F. B. DIEMER, S. PERMUTT, and A. TOGIAS High-Resolution Computed Tomographic Evaluation of Airway Distensibility and the Effects of Lung Inflation on Airway Caliber in Healthy Subjects and Individuals with Asthma Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., March 15, 2001; 163(4): 994 - 1001. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				A. Baydur, R. H. Adkins, and J. Milic-Emili Lung mechanics in individuals with spinal cord injury: effects of injury level and posture J Appl Physiol, February 1, 2001; 90(2): 405 - 411. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. J. Gunst and M.-F. Wu Plasticity in Skeletal, Cardiac, and Smooth Muscle: Selected Contribution: Plasticity of airway smooth muscle stiffness and extensibility: role of length-adaptive mechanisms J Appl Physiol, February 1, 2001; 90(2): 741 - 749. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. SCICHILONE, S. PERMUTT, and A. TOGIAS The Lack of the Bronchoprotective and Not the Bronchodilatory Ability of Deep Inspiration Is Associated with Airway Hyperresponsiveness Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., February 1, 2001; 163(2): 413 - 419. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				R. H. BROWN and W. MITZNER Delayed Distension of Contracted Airways with Lung Inflation In Vivo Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., December 1, 2000; 162(6): 2113 - 2116. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				K. Hakala, B. Stenius-Aarniala, and A. Sovijarvi Effects of Weight Loss on Peak Flow Variability, Airways Obstruction, and Lung Volumes in Obese Patients With Asthma Chest, November 1, 2000; 118(5): 1315 - 1321. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. N. Maksym, B. Fabry, J. P. Butler, D. Navajas, D. J. Tschumperlin, J. D. Laporte, and J. J. Fredberg Mechanical properties of cultured human airway smooth muscle cells from 0.05 to 0.4 Hz J Appl Physiol, October 1, 2000; 89(4): 1619 - 1632. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. SCICHILONE, T. KAPSALI, S. PERMUTT, and A. TOGIAS Deep Inspiration-induced Bronchoprotection Is Stronger than Bronchodilation Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., September 1, 2000; 162(3): 910 - 916. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				T. Kapsali, S. Permutt, B. Laube, N. Scichilone, and A. Togias Potent bronchoprotective effect of deep inspiration and its absence in asthma J Appl Physiol, August 1, 2000; 89(2): 711 - 720. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Wang, P. D. Pare, and C. Y. Seow Effects of length oscillation on the subsequent force development in swine tracheal smooth muscle J Appl Physiol, June 1, 2000; 88(6): 2246 - 2250. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. MITZNER and R. H. BROWN Potential Mechanism of Hyperresponsive Airways Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., May 1, 2000; 161(5): 1619 - 1623. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				W.-L. Chan, J. Silberstein, and C.-M. Hai Mechanical strain memory in airway smooth muscle Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, May 1, 2000; 278(5): C895 - C904. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Milanese, C. Mondino, M. Tosca, G. W. Canonica, and V. Brusasco Modulation of airway caliber by deep inhalation in children J Appl Physiol, April 1, 2000; 88(4): 1259 - 1264. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. J. FREDBERG Airway Smooth Muscle in Asthma . Perturbed Equilibria of Myosin Binding Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., March 1, 2000; 161(3): S158 - 160. [Full Text] [PDF]

				C.-L. QUE, G. MAKSYM, and P. T. MACKLEM Deciphering the Homeokinetic Code of Airway Smooth Muscle Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., March 1, 2000; 161(3): S161 - 163. [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. G. IRVIN, J. PAK, and R. J. MARTIN Airway-Parenchyma Uncoupling in Nocturnal Asthma Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., January 1, 2000; 161(1): 50 - 56. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				O. E. Suman, K. C. Beck, M. A. Babcock, D. F. Pegelow, and W. G. Reddan Airway obstruction during exercise and isocapnic hyperventilation in asthmatic subjects J Appl Physiol, September 1, 1999; 87(3): 1107 - 1113. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. L. Gillis and K. R. Lutchen Airway remodeling in asthma amplifies heterogeneities in smooth muscle shortening causing hyperresponsiveness J Appl Physiol, June 1, 1999; 86(6): 2001 - 2012. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. J. FREDBERG, D. S. INOUYE, S. M. MIJAILOVICH, and J. P. BUTLER Perturbed Equilibrium of Myosin Binding in Airway Smooth Muscle and Its Implications in Bronchospasm Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., March 1, 1999; 159(3): 959 - 967. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				R. A. Meiss Influence of intercellular tissue connections on airway muscle mechanics J Appl Physiol, January 1, 1999; 86(1): 5 - 15. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]