In utero exposure to experimental maternal asthma alters fetal airway development in sheep

• DOI: 10.1113/ep092502
• Publication Date: 2025-01-27T17:40:30Z
• Authors: Sarah J. Hammond; Andrea J. Roff; Joshua L. Robinson; Jack R. T. Darby; Ashley S. Meakin; Vicki L. Clifton; Robert J. Bischof; Michael J. Stark; Megan J. Wallace; Andrew Tai; Janna L. Morrison; Kathryn L. Gatford
• Keywords: Masson's trichrome stain; Reticular connective tissue

Abstract The mechanisms linking maternal asthma (MA) exposure in utero and subsequent risk of childhood are not fully understood. Pathological airway remodelling, including reticular basement membrane thickening, has been reported infants children who go on to develop later childhood. This suggests altered development before birth as a mechanism underlying increased exposed MA. We hypothesised that MA would reduce diameter increase airway‐associated smooth muscle area thickness neonatal offspring. Experimental was induced by sensitisation followed challenges with house dust mite during pregnancy. Lambs from control ( n = 16) or 26) ewes were delivered at ∼140 days gestation (term 150 days), ventilated for 45 min, then humanely killed. Left lungs inflation‐fixed, cross‐sections generation 2–5 airways collected. Airway sections stained Haematoxylin Eosin, Masson's Trichrome Gordon Sweet's histological stains morphological analysis. Lamb body lung weights similar between groups P > 0.5 0.7, respectively). had narrower diameters 0.019) thinner 0.016) but 0.152) compared unexposed lambs. Our results demonstrate potential mothers asthma, independent genetic behavioural changes