In Vitro studies of factors which may influence ligand binding, function, immunogenicity and genetic regulation of the Beta-2 adrenergic receptor in asthma

Potter, Paul Charles

In Vitro studies of factors which may influence ligand binding, function, immunogenicity and genetic regulation of the Beta-2 adrenergic receptor in asthma

Doctoral Thesis

1991

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Division of Pulmonology

Faculty

Faculty of Health Sciences

Abstract

This thesis records a series of experiments conducted to gain further insight into factors which influence the expression, ligand binding and functional activity of the beta-2 adrenergic receptor. These studies were prompted by previous reports that the postulated beta-2 adrenergic receptor abnormality in allergic asthma could be induced, induced by autoantibodies. I established and optimised beta-2 adrenergic receptor ligand binding and functional assays in guinea pig lung membranes and then conducted an original study of beta adrenergic receptor expression in the guinea pig foetal lung. I found that beta adrenergic receptor expression in the foetal lung was dormant for 80% of the gestation period. After day 53 there was a surge in receptor expression which increased beyond term.