title: Potential of in vitro reconstituted 3D human airway epithelia (MucilAir™) to assess respiratory sensitizers.
abstract: Respiratory sensitizers are considered as substances of higher risk, at the same level as carcinogens, mutagens and toxic chemicals for reproduction. Presently, there is no validated assay for identifying the respiratory sensitizers. Based on a fully differentiated and functional in vitro cell model of the human airway epithelium, MucilAir™, we attempt to develop such assay. To this end, we invented a novel method, using Dextran as carrier, for applying the water insoluble chemicals to the apical surface of the airway epithelia. Using the Dextran carrier method, we successfully tested some reference chemical compounds known to cause respiratory sensitisation in human beings, including MDI, TMA and HCPt. Interestingly, these chemical sensitizers differentially up-regulated the releases of certain cytokines and chemokines involved in allergic responses. We believe that based on MucilAir™ an in vitro assay could be developed for identification and characterization of the respiratory sensitizers.
authors.affiliation: Epithelix Sàrl, 14 chemin des aulx, CH-1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ludovic
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wiszniewski
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Constant
authors.forename: Erwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roggen
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D001681:Biological Assay; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003911:Dextrans; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007509:Irritants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000139:chemically induced; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D016207:Cytokines; D003911:Dextrans; D004337:Drug Carriers; D007509:Irritants