Use of airway epithelial cell culture to unravel the pathogenesis and study treatment in obstructive airway diseases

Publication date: Available online 11 May 2017 Source:Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Author(s): Tinne C.J. Mertens, Harry Karmouty-Quintana, Christian Taube, Pieter S. Hiemstra Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are considered as two distinct obstructive diseases. Both chronic diseases share a component of airway epithelial dysfunction. The airway epithelium is localized to deal with inhaled substances, and functions as a barrier preventing penetration of such substances into the body. In addition, the epithelium is involved in the regulation of both innate and adaptive immune responses following inhalation of particles, allergens and pathogens. Through triggering and inducing immune responses, airway epithelial cells contribute to the pathogenesis of both asthma and COPD. Various in vitro research models have been described to study airway epithelial cell dysfunction in asthma and COPD. However, various considerations and cautions have to be taken into account when designing such in vitro experiments. Epithelial features of asthma and COPD can be modelled by using a variety of disease-related invoking substances either alone or in combination, and by the use of primary cells isolated from patients. Differentiation is a hallmark of airway epithelial cells, and therefore models should include the ability of cells to differentiate, as can be achieved in air-liquid interface models. More recently developed in vitro models, including prec...
Source: Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics - Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research