Abstract
Physiological abnormalities of the airway prior to the onset of asthma and from the earliest stages of life are consistent with the notion that asthma has developmental origins. This project utilised an ovine model to investigate the structural mechanism of airway smooth muscle (ASM) thickening associated with maturation and the susceptibility of these maturational processes to chronic intrauterine infection, analogous to chorioamnionitis which is a risk factor for asthma. Findings indicate that cellular hyperplasia is the predominant mechanism associated with normal ASM growth and that chronic intrauterine infection may cause localised thickening of the ASM layer in the peripheral airways.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Qualification | Masters |
Awarding Institution |
|
Supervisors/Advisors |
|
Thesis sponsors | |
Award date | 1 Jul 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Unpublished - 2021 |