Atypical cilia in rabbit bronchial epithelial cells induced by elastase: an ultrastructural study

Ultrastructural study of the bronchial epithelium of elastase-treated rabbits revealed the presence of luminal atypical cilia resembling the pathological cilia seen in the tracheobronchial epithelium in animal models of human lung cancer. It is suggested that the results may contribute to knowledge of the mechanisms whereby compound cilia are produced.