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Updated: May 13, 2026
Culturing of Human Nasal Epithelial Cells at the Air Liquid Interface
Published on: October 8, 2013
Epithelial cell culture from human adenoids: a functional study model for ciliated and secretory cells
Claudia González1, Marisol Espinosa, María Trinidad Sánchez
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Marcoleta 350, 2°Piso, Santiago 8330033, Chile. clau_gonzalez@vtr.net
Background:
Mucociliary transport (MCT) is a defense mechanism of the airway. To study the underlying mechanisms of MCT, we have both developed an experimental model of cultures, from human adenoid tissue of ciliated and secretory cells, and characterized the response to local chemical signals that control ciliary activity and the secretion of respiratory mucins in vitro.
Materials And Methods:
In ciliated cell cultures, ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and intracellular Ca(2+) levels were measured in response to ATP, UTP, and adenosine. In secretory cultures, mucin synthesis and secretion were identified by using immunodetection. Mucin content was taken from conditioned medium and analyzed in the presence or absence of UTP.
Results:
Enriched ciliated cell monolayers and secretory cells were obtained. Ciliated cells showed a basal CBF of 10.7 Hz that increased significantly after exposure to ATP, UTP, or adenosine. Mature secretory cells showed active secretion of granules containing different glycoproteins, including MUC5AC.
Conclusion:
Culture of ciliated and secretory cells grown from adenoid epithelium is a reproducible and feasible experimental model, in which it is possible to observe ciliary and secretory activities, with a potential use as a model to understand mucociliary transport control mechanisms.
