title: Culture of primary human bronchial epithelial cells.
abstract: The human airway is normally kept sterile despite continual exposure to airborne pathogens. This is achieved by host defense mechanisms that exist to prevent adherence, colonization, and invasion of the airway epithelium. The airway is, however, a potential route by which bacteria may enter the blood-stream if host defense mechanisms can be overcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Picot