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Updated: May 28, 2026
An Air-liquid Interface Bronchial Epithelial Model for Realistic, Repeated Inhalation Exposure to Airborne Particles for Toxicity Testing
Published on: May 13, 2020
An Ex Vivo Model of Post Infectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans in Children Using Reconstituted Human Bronchial
Julie Mazenq1,2, Léa Moreno2, Jean-Christophe Dubus1,2
1Pediatric Pulmonology Department and Reference Center for Rare Lung Disease RespiRare, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Hôpital Universitaire Timone-Enfants, 13385 Marseille, France.
Insights
Children with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) may have structurally normal airways but altered immune responses. This study suggests PIBO epithelium has reduced alarmins and increased interferon secretion, indicating a distinct antiviral profile.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Cell Biology
- Chronic Lung Disease Research
Background:
- Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) is a severe chronic lung disease in children.
- The characteristics of the respiratory epithelium in PIBO are not well understood.
- An ex vivo model was used to investigate PIBO epithelial cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the respiratory epithelium in children with PIBO.
- To analyze epithelial cell composition, barrier function, and mediator production.
- To explore potential differences in inflammatory and antiviral responses.
Main Methods:
- Used an air-liquid interface culture model with bronchial biopsies from PIBO patients and controls.
- Assessed epithelial cell composition, barrier integrity, and mediator secretion (mucins, inflammatory cytokines, interferons).
- Evaluated remodeling markers like MMP-9 and YKL-40.
Main Results:
- Ex vivo PIBO epithelia showed similar cohesion and cell composition to controls.
- Mucin expression and secretion were comparable between PIBO and control groups.
- PIBO epithelia exhibited reduced IL-33 and TSLP but increased IFN-λ and IFN-β secretion, with no changes in remodeling markers.
Conclusions:
- The ex vivo PIBO epithelial model suggests preserved structural characteristics and mucin production.
- PIBO epithelial cells display a distinct immune profile with lower alarmin and higher interferon secretion.
- These findings suggest a potential shift towards enhanced antiviral response rather than structural airway remodeling in PIBO.
Introduction:
Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) is a rare and severe chronic lung disease. Our goal was to characterize respiratory epithelium in children with PIBO, which remains unexplored, using an ex vivo model culture.
Methods:
Proximal bronchial biopsies from children with PIBO and reconstituted bronchial epithelium from PIBO patients (n = 3) and controls (n = 17) were analyzed using an air-liquid interface culture model. Epithelial cell composition, barrier integrity, and mediator production, including mucins, inflammatory and antiviral responses, were assessed in this pathological and functional approach.
Results:
Epithelial thickness was assessed in PIBO biopsies. Ex vivo reconstituted PIBO epithelia appeared to exhibit comparable cohesion and cell composition to controls. Mucin expression and secretion were likewise similar between groups. PIBO epithelial might have displayed reduced IL-33 transcript levels and decreased TSLP secretion, whereas IFN-λ1, IFN-λ2-3 and IFN-β secretion could have been elevated. No differences were detected in remodeling markers (MMP-9 and YKL-40).
Conclusions:
In summary, ex vivo model of PIBO epithelia suggested that the epithelium may preserve structural characteristics and mucin production, without evidence of remodeling. However, PIBO epithelial cells may have a distinct immune profile, with lower alarmin expression and higher interferon secretion. This could indicate a tendency toward enhanced antiviral response rather than structural changes. These preliminary results need to be confirmed in larger cohorts.
