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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Culturing of Human Nasal Epithelial Cells at the Air Liquid Interface
Published on: October 8, 2013
Cytotoxicity of human eosinophil granule major basic protein to human nasal sinus mucosa in vitro
K Hisamatsu1, T Ganbo, T Nakazawa
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yamanashi College of Medicine, Tamaho, Japan.
Abstract:
The toxic effects of the human eosinophil granule major basic protein (MBP), reduced and alkylated, were studied on human nasal mucosa in vitro. With a microscope coupled with a television monitor (magnification x 2500) and videotape recorder, we investigated the effects of MBP on the mucosa and the ciliary activity of single cells. In nasal mucosal specimens from normal individuals, MBP, 5 mumol/L and 10 mumol/L, significantly inhibited (p less than 0.01) ciliary activity by 4 and 1 hours of exposure, respectively. At these same MBP concentrations, the mucosal surface profiles were altered by 4 hours of exposure, and ciliostasis was 75% to 100% complete by 9 and 6 hours, respectively. In a mucosal specimen from a patient with nasal allergy, 1 mumol/L of MBP significantly inhibited (p less than 0.01) ciliary activity by 1 hour; alteration of the mucosal surface profile appeared by 3 hours of exposure, and ciliostasis was 75% to 100% by 13 hours. Similar alterations of the mucosal surface profile were observed with specimens from a second patient with allergies; in contrast, 1 mumol/L of MPB had no effect on specimens from a nonallergic patient. These results indicate that MBP damages human upper respiratory epithelium, causing ciliostasis and alteration of the epithelial surface at concentrations likely achieved in vivo. Furthermore, the mucosal specimens from two allergic patients were damaged by concentrations of MBP that had no effect on mucosal specimens from a normal individual.
Insights
Human eosinophil major basic protein (MBP) damages nasal lining and impairs ciliary function in vitro. Allergic individuals showed increased sensitivity to MBP, suggesting a role in upper respiratory conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- Eosinophils are key inflammatory cells in allergic diseases.
- Major basic protein (MBP) is a primary granule protein released by eosinophils.
- The direct impact of MBP on human nasal mucosa requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the toxic effects of human eosinophil granule major basic protein (MBP) on human nasal mucosa in vitro.
- To assess the impact of MBP on ciliary activity and mucosal surface integrity.
- To compare the effects of MBP on nasal mucosa from normal individuals and allergic patients.
Main Methods:
- Human nasal mucosal explants were exposed to varying concentrations of reduced and alkylated MBP in vitro.
- Ciliary activity was monitored using microscopy, a television monitor, and a videotape recorder (magnification x 2500).
- Alterations in mucosal surface profiles and the extent of ciliostasis were quantified over time.
Main Results:
- MBP significantly inhibited ciliary activity and altered mucosal surface profiles in normal nasal mucosa.
- Nasal mucosal specimens from allergic patients demonstrated increased sensitivity to MBP, with significant effects at lower concentrations and shorter exposure times.
- MBP induced ciliostasis (cessation of ciliary beating) and epithelial damage at concentrations potentially relevant in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Human eosinophil major basic protein (MBP) exhibits direct toxicity to human upper respiratory epithelium.
- MBP causes ciliostasis and epithelial surface alterations, contributing to impaired mucosal function.
- Individuals with nasal allergies may have a heightened susceptibility to the damaging effects of MBP, implicating it in allergic airway pathology.
