Histological investigation of skin biopsies in otosclerosis and osteogenesis imperfecta

Summary The hypothesis that homeostatic control mechanisms control mucociliary function in ciliated mucous membrane was tested. Nasal mucociliary transport rates were recorded in chickens in vivo at successive intervals during exposure to SO₂ or after inoculation with Newcastle disease virus (NDV), or both. Either agent alone caused deceleration of the turbinate clearance. However, when SO₂ exposure was limited to one nasal fossa and turbinate mucociliary rates were determined in the unexposed and infected side, the two acted antagonistically and yielded approximately normal rates. Exposure of the nasal mucosae to SO₂ caused decreased rates of sinus clearance, while NDV infection of nasal membranes induced increased rates of sinus clearance. Exposure of nasal mucosae to both agents acted antagonistically to effect rates of sinus clearance in normal ranges. These data support the idea of homeostasis.Research support from NIH grant no. 5 RO1 ES-00741