Primary culture of human adenoid ciliated cells. An experimental model to evaluate ciliar activity in vitro

Abstract

Introduction. Mucociliary clearance constitutes the main defense mechanism of the airway, but the mechanisms of ciliary control are still unknown. With the aim of a better understanding of this process, many ciliated cells culture techniques have been developed. Aims. 1. To develop an experimental model based on primary cultures from adenoid and middle turbinate tissue. 2. To characterize in this model the response to ATP, a known agonist of ciliary beat frequency (CBF). Material and Method. Primary cultures derived from human adenoid tissue and middle turbinate epithelial explants were obtained. CFB was measured by microphotodensitometry, both in basal conditions and in response to ATP at different concentrations. Results. Basal CFB (average (X) +- standard deviation (SD)) for middle turbinate cultures was 11.9 +- 1.5 Hz, and for adenoid tissue was 10.9 +- 1.9 Hz (p< 0.05). A CBF increase was observed in response to ATP, in a dose-dependent manner. No significant difference in basal CFB or in response to ATP was found between middle turbinate and adenoid cultures. Conclusion. Primary culture of nasal ciliated cells derived from adenoid explants is a reproducible experimental model, in which it is possible to observe both ciliary activity and a functional response in accordance to what has been reported in the literature.