The Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing is an academic center affiliated with the Division of Toxicological Sciences in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences of the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.

 

Johns Hopkins School of Public Health

Research Grants 1983-1984

Synthesis and Secretion of Respiratory Tract Mucuos Glycoproteins in Matrix-Embed Perfusion Cultures of Intact Rodent Tracheas

Michael G. Gabridge, PhD
W. Alton Jones Science Center, Lake Placid, New York

Problem

New techniques to evaluate mucous production in the respiratory tract may lead to a suitable alternative to animal testing.

The study would use isolated intact tracheas from rodents and subsequently quantify and characterize mucous glycoproteins secreted along the surface of the respiratory tract.

Embedded in agar with specially designed supplemental equipment, the tracheas will maintain normal morphology, metabolism and ciliary motion six to eight weeks. Specific studies will include:

The isolation and characterization of major glycoproteins relative to protein, lipid and carbohydrate content and the correlation of findings from cell pathology and electron microscope examination with mucous glycoprotein secretions.

Impact of the Research

The study has the potential to alleviate trauma, and eliminate lavage and inhalation exposures in a significant number of animal testing situations.