Tobacco Documents Online

Tnu: COr.Nc:L FoR Tosacco Rr•.scAtecu-U.S.A., INc. October 29, 198f Li 0 0 Ll 4 C" MEMORADIDt]M TO: Dr. S. C. Sarmers and Staff FRCM: D. H. fbrd S[)BMDCT: Site visit with Dr. W. M. Gold, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San F'rancisco, CA, October 19, 1981 Grant No. 1327R1 "Effect of Ozone on Airway Mast Oe11s" This study onntinues to he focused on the oonoept that azone, airborne pollutants and substances in cigarette srtoke induce release of histamine fran mast cells, which oould be inportant in asthma. Dr. Gold had already received notice from us that he could transfer monies from supplies toward purchase of an autoanalyzer for histamine and has established contact with the manufacturer for its puchase. Dr. Gold has also made progress in establishing a technique for meas+,*-ing cAMQ in whole tissue in situ and in strips of tracheal epithelium and airway smooth muscle in vitro. This snB-r.ludes developing an ilmRawc,ytochenical mettwd for cAMp to monitor changes in goblet cells, ciliated and non-ciliated epithelial cells under basal eenditions and after exposure to ozone, (also smodce and various air- borne pollutants), as wel7, as after pharn:aoDlogic manipulation of cAMP synthesis. Studies with sauke remain to be undertaken. Dr. Gold has recently obtained a dog bearing nwmerous mastocytpnas, frcen which he has developed virtually pure cu].tures of mast cells frcvn biopsy material. Plans to use these cvltures as oontrols for in vivo stuiie.s of factnrs influencing histamine release. Further stu3ies will oonsider incorporation of labelled histamine into mast cell granules as well as methods of investigating histamine synthesis and release under various envixormental conditions. Cotrarnnt: Program appears to be progressing toward developing a further understandine p:vble:s of eaphysena in relation to exposure to smoke and other airbourne substances i,lhich mi.ght activate mast cells. My iqression after only a short visit was that this pnogravn merits onaitinued support at this tine. D. H. FURD D3F:am