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Airway Cells
There are many specialized respiratory cell types that are relevant for basic research and drug discovery. Partner with Lonza and choose from a broad donor variety of airway cells from normal, asthmatic, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis or iPF lung tissue. -
Growth Media for Airway Cells
Lonza's BulletKitTM Media for growth and air-liquid interface studies is optimized to support consistent growth or differentiation of primary airway cells while maintaining the tissue-specific characteristics.
Growth Media for Airway Cells
Lonza's BulletKitTM Media for growth and air-liquid interface studies is optimized to support consistent growth or differentiation of primary airway cells while maintaining the tissue-specific characteristics.
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An Introduction to Airway Cells Used in Research
There are many specialized respiratory cell types that are relevant for basic research and drug discovery. Learn which airway cell types exist and what functions they have. Our application sections, further down on this page, are packed with data, white papers, posters and other useful tools, giving you an overview on how Lonza's airway cells are being used to study diseases like asthma, COPD, lung cancer and more.
If you are familiar with airway cell culture and are interested in purchasing Lonza's cells or media products, please find the quick links to our products below:
Lonza offers a comprehensive range of normal human respiratory epithelial, smooth muscle, fibroblast and endothelial cells with a broad donor variety.
Select cell types are complemented with diseased cells isolated from donors diagnosed with asthma, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis or Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). The cells are complemented with detailed donor history critical for airway research such as cause of death, list of medications, extent of smoking etc. Donor information is provided upon request. Contact our scientific support team for additional details.
Lonza’s primary cell media products have been optimized for each airway cell type. We offer the same growth and air-liquid interface media for culturing both normal and diseased cells in order to reduce variances between growth patterns. Our BulletKitTM Media is formulated with growth factors and hormones necessary to optimally support consistent growth or differentiation of primary cells while maintaining the tissue-specific characteristics. Our archive of publications and supporting white papers show suitability of our media products for establishing complex co-culture models or developing advanced cell culture models.
Respiratory epithelial cells line the respiratory tract from trachea to bronchi into bronchioles and alveolar sacs. The primary functions of the respiratory epithelium, depending on their origin, is to moisten, protect the airway tract from potential pathogens, infections and tissue injury, and facilitate gas exchange. The respiratory epithelium in trachea and bronchi is pseudostratified and primarily consists of three main cell types – cilia cells, goblet cells, and basal cells. The ciliated cells are located across the apical surface and facilitate the movement of mucus across the airway tract. The goblet cells produce and secrete mucous to trap pathogens and debris within the airway tract. Basal cells are progenitor cells that differentiate into cells types found within the epithelium. Basal cells respond to injury of the airway and subsequently differentiate to restore a healthy epithelial cell layer.
- Goblet cells – Secrete mucus to maintain epithelial moisture and trappathogens or particulates
- Basal cells – Differentiate into other cell types to restore a healthy epithelial cell layer
- Cilia cells – Move back and forth, carrying mucus up and out of the respiratory tract
Alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) line the small, spongy sacs called alveoli that are found throughout the lung. Alveolar epithelial eells I (AEC I) cover approximately 95% of the alveolar surface area, where they are involved in gas exchange with microvascular endothelial cells that surround the alveoli. Alveoli carry oxygen to the blood from the respiratory tract and take CO2 away from the blood back out of the airway tract. AEC II contribute to lung defense and have been the subject of numerous studies due to their regenerative potential1.
Respiratory endothelial cells function at the lung-blood barrier, where they surround the alveolar sacs and facilitate O2/CO2 transfer. Respiratory endothelial cells, depending on their origin, also provide passive surface for exchange of water, macromolecules and some cell traffic. Dysfunction of respiratory endothelium has been tied to acute lung injury and acute respiratory stress syndrome.
- Pulmonary vein – carries the oxygenated blood away from lung to the heart
- Pulmonary artery – carries deoxygenated blood to the lung
- Microvascular endothelialc ells (HMVEC) surround alveoli, involved in gas exchange, also provide passive surface for exchange of water, macromolecules and some cell traffic
- Alveolar epithelial cells are located in small airway. Alveoli carry oxygen to the blood and take CO2 away from the blood back to the respiratory system
Bronchial/tracheal smooth muscle cells produce slow and sustained contractions in the wall of lungs to regulate air flow through the respiratory tract. These cells layer beneath the bronchial/tracheal epithelial cells. Over activity of smooth muscle cell layer causes narrowing of air tubes constricting air flow. As a result, and these have been the subject of numerous asthma and COPD studies.
- Bronchial and tracheal smooth muscle cells
Lung fibroblasts are found abundantly in the lung interstitium. These cells are responsible for the production of extracellular matrix components such as type III collagen, elastin, and proteoglycans which help maintain the structural integrity of the lung. Lung fibroblasts respond to lung tissue injury and are essential in the repair and remodeling processes. Controlled accumulation of fibroblasts to the sites of inflammation is crucial to effective tissue repair. Either inadequate or excessive accumulation of fibroblasts could result in abnormal tissue function. Primary lung fibroblasts are considered as key tools in understanding the repair and remodeling processes in asthma and COPD.
- Lung fibroblasts
Pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC) and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) are found at the pulmonary artery, which carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs. While the PAEC line the blood vessel, the PASMC layer beneath these. Both cell types have been implicated in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH)4.
According to World Health Organization, 235 million people worldwide have asthma. The exact cause of asthma is not known but it is understood that a combination of genetic and environmental factors interact to cause asthma. Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways which causes attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.
COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide according to the World Health Organization. COPD is not necessarily a single disease but an umbrella term that is used to describe chronic lung diseases (example: emphysema and chronic obstructive bronchitis) that cause long-term limitation in lung airflow. COPD is usually common in long-term smokers and is associated with a progressive decline in pulmonary function.
Asthma and COPD research is currently focused on:
- Understanding the causes that lead to asthma or COPD in different people
- Developing improved treatments for asthma or COPD
- For COPD specifically, understanding the effects of smoking and how it leads to COPD
Lonza offers lung epithelial, smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts from normal, asthmatic and COPD donors supported with the same growth and air-liquid interface media. Detailed donor history is provided upon request for diseased cells including cause of death, list of medications and other details. Contact our scientific support team for additional details.
Download relevant white papers showing the use of Lonza’s Asthma and COPD cells:
Selected Published References with Lonza’s Normal and Diseased Cells
- “Directional Secretory Response of Double Stranded RNA-Induced Thymic Stromal Lymphopoetin (TSLP) and CCL11/Eotaxin-1 in Human Asthmatic Airways”. Gustavo Nino et al. examined the effects of TSLP (Thymic stromal lymphopoetin) at both sides (apical/basal) of the human epithelial barrier using a multi-scale approach that included an in vitro model of polarized, primary differentiated HBEC at air-liquid interface (ALI), human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMC) and clinical experiments in nasal airway secretions obtained during naturally occurring rhinovirus-induced asthma exacerbations.
- Our primary normal human bronchial smooth muscle cells (BSMC) were used by Calven, et al. to understand how human rhinoviruses cause exacerbations and development of severe asthma. BSMC were grown in culture and infected with rhinovirus 1B, following which cell supernatants were analyzed by ELISA for cytokine release and by Western blot for receptor expression.
Bronchial Smooth Muscle Cells in RAFT™ 3D Cell Culture System
Bronchial smooth muscle cells grown in SmGM™ 2 BulletKit™, stained with anti-beta tubulin and cultured in RAFT™ 3D Cell Culture SystemCo-culture of Asthmatic Bronchial Epithelial and Smooth Muscle Cells in RAFT™ 3D Culture System
Co-culture of asthmatic bronchial epithelial and smooth muscle cells grown in BEGM™ and SmGM™ 2 BulletKit™ in RAFT™ System and stained with anti-alpha-smooth muscle actinResearch into Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a rapidly growing field with recent studies improving our understanding of the condition, enabling doctors to more easily make a diagnosis. However, a considerable amount of research is still needed if a cure is to be found, as the pathways of disease progression are not yet understood, with the rate of progression varying from person to person. IPF is characterized by scarring of the lung tissue causing a progressive reduction in lung function. While there are a number of treatments available to reduce the rate of progression of IPF, there is currently no treatment that can stop or reverse the scarring of the lungs. Both genetic and environmental factors are attributed to the development of the disease.
Lonza now offers cryopreserved lung fibroblasts from donors diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) for use in research into this potentially fatal condition.
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- Diseased lung fibroblasts, from donors diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
- Normal lung fibroblasts (available from both donors characterized as smokers or non-smokers)
- FGMTM-2 BulletKitTM Medium
Select References where Lonza's Normal Human Lung Fibroblasts are used for IPF Research
- Lung Epithelium Overexpressed Noncoding RNA (LEON): Role of a Novel Long Intergenic Noncoding RNA in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
- The IL-33/ST2 Axis Is Upregulated in Fibrotic Lung Disease
- Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer (EMMPRIN) promotes lung fibroblast proliferation, survival and differentiation to myofibroblasts
Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. An inherited condition, Cystic Fibrosis affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices. The diseases causes the body to produce mucus that in turn clogs the lungs and leads to infection.
Cystic Fibrosis is characterized by mutations in a single gene - the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator (CFTR) gene. In normal cells, the CFTR protein acts as a channel that allows cells to release chloride and other ions. But in people with CF, this protein is defective and the cells do not release the chloride. The result is an improper salt balance in the cells and thick, sticky mucus. Researchers are focusing on ways to cure CF by correcting the defective gene, or correcting the defective protein1.
In order to support this research, Lonza sources cells from donors that have suffered from cystic fibrosis. Detailed genotyping data is also available with each lot. Contact our Scientific Support Team for additional details.
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References
Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer death, with 1.69 million deaths worldwide in 2015. Like all cancers the disease is highly complex yet lung cancer can be broadly classified into two types, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Of these, NSCLC is much more prevalent. Approximately 80-85% of the people suffer from non-small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer makes up 10-15% of the population.
Lung cancer research is currently focused on:
- Prevention and screening for early detection
- Identification of new biomarkers and the development of targeted therapies
- The development of next-generation chemotherapeutic agents
- Effect of smoking on lung cancer development
Lonza’s normal bronchial epithelial cells are routinely used as controls to support lung cancer research. We offer cells from both smokers and non-smokers to allow researchers to understand the implications of smoking on lung cancer development. Our BEGMTM BulletKitTM Medium is supported by various publications to successfully culture well-established lung epithelial cell lines such as BEAS-2B.
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Select References with Lonza’s cells and media supporting lung cancer research
- "Repetitive Nicotine Exposure Leads to a More Malignant and Metastasis-Prone Phenotype of SCLC: A Molecular Insight into the Importance of Quitting Smoking during Treatment". Garcia el al. studied the effect of cigarette smoking and its correlation with the onset of lung cancer in Lonza's lymphatic endothelial cells. Nicotine has been found to promote tumor growth and angiogenesis, as well as protect cancer cells from apoptosis.
- "Impact of DNA demethylation of the G0S2 gene on the transcription of G0S2 in squamous lung cancer cell lines with or without nuclear receptor agonists". Kusakabe et. al. identified that DNA methylation of the G0S2 gene was significantly more frequent in squamous lung cancer than in non-squamous lung cancer.
- El Najjar, et al. (2015). PLOSONE 10(2) (link to) demonstrates culturing of BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cell line in BEGMTM Media to examine the effects of cathepsin and furin proteolytic enzymes on viral fusion protein activation in cells
Several interstitial lung disorders such as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and Pulmonary Histiocytosis X are attributed to long-term smoking. In order to support research in such areas, Lonza sources cells from donors that are either smokers or non-smokers. The comparative studies between these donors allows researchers to understand implications of smoking on certain cell types.
We have recently launched lung fibroblasts isolated from donors diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). To request additional cell types from other disease areas, contact cellsondemand@lonza.com to get information.
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Select References with Lonza’s cells where donors are characterized as smokers or non-smokers
- "Role of aberrant metalloproteinase activity in the pro-inflammatory phenotype of bronchial epithelium in COPD". Heijink et al. studied the effect of cigarette smoking and its correlation with development of COPD.
- "Repetitive Nicotine Exposure Leads to a More Malignant and Metastasis-Prone Phenotype of SCLC: A Molecular Insight into the Importance of Quitting Smoking during Treatment". Garcia el al.(link to)studied the effect of cigarette smoking and its correlation with the onset of lung cancer with Lonza's lymphatic endothelial cells. Nicotine has been found to promote tumor growth and angiogenesis, as well as protect cancer cells from apoptosis.
Lonza offers a comprehensive range of normal human primary airway cells with broad donor variety for bronchial epithelial cells, bronchial smooth muscle cells, lung fibroblasts, pulmonary artery endothelial cells, pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, small-airway/alveolar epithelial cells and lung microvascular endothelial cells.
Select cell types are complemented with diseased cells isolated from donors diagnosed with asthma, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis or Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). For diseased cells, detailed donor information including list of medications, cause of death and more can be requested by contacting our Scientific Support Team.
Find the complete range of our airway cells and media listed here:
Pulmonary artery smooth muscle (HPASMC)
Type II diabetes