An Analysis of Beat Pattern and Metachrony of Human Respiratory Cilia by Video Tape Recording

Abstract

A video camera with high photosensitivity, a 100X objective and a microscope equipped with Nomarski differential interference contrast were used to record the movement of human respiratory cilia as seen from the side of the cell surface clearly. By using a fiber guide light source, the reflected light from the human bronchial membrane obtained by a bronchofiberscope allowed the surface observation of the human respiratory cilia. A surface view of the cilia of the cases without bronchial diseases showed metachronal waves with an ileoplectic fashion. An activity on the epithelial surface was comprised in many small patches. Each of those has an area covering only one or two cells. The metachronal waves generally traveled about one cell length before disappearing. Cilia of a case with inner dynein arm defect moved stiffly with reduced amplitude, but, metachronal coordination was maintained. In a case of chronic bronchitis, the direction of the effective stroke of ciliary beat in areas having immature short cilia was variable and irregular. The dynamics of human respiratory cilia have been previously described by studying mainly the side view.
These results indicate that the surface view of respiratory cilia as well as the side view of those is very important to show the metachronal waves and the precise direction of the effective stroke.