title: Phenotypical changes in a differentiating immortalized bronchial epithelial cell line after exposure to mainstream cigarette smoke and e-cigarette vapor.
abstract: 3D constructs composed of differentiated immortalized primary normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells (CL-1548) were repeatedly exposed at the air-liquid interface to non-lethal concentrations of mainstream cigarette smoke (4 cigarettes a day, 5days/week, 8 repetitions in total) and e-cigarette vapor (50 puffs a day, 5 days/week, 8 repetitions in total) to build up a permanent burden on the cells. Samples were taken after 4, 6 and 8 times of repeated smoke exposure and the cultures were investigated using histopathological methods Compared to the clean air-exposed cultures (process control) and incubator control, the aerosol-exposed cultures showed a reduction of ciliated, mucus-producing and club cells. At the end of the exposure phase, we even found metaplastic areas positive for CK13 antibody in the cultures exposed to mainstream cigarette smoke and e-liquid vapor, commonly seen in squamous cells as a marker for non-cornified squamous epithelium. The control cultures (incubator cells) showed no comparable phenotypical changes. In conclusion, our in vitro model presents a valuable tool to study the induction of phenotypical changes after exposure to hazardous airborne material.
authors.affiliation: Cultex Laboratories GmbH, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 21, 30625 Hannover, Germany. Electronic address: m.aufderheide@cultex-laboratories.com.
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aufderheide
authors.affiliation: Cultex Laboratories GmbH, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 21, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Makito
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emura
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000009:adverse effects; D001980:Bronchi; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects*; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D062789:Tobacco Products / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D012906:Smoke
keywords: Air-liquid interface (ALI) exposure; CULTEX(®)RFS; Immortalized normal human bronchial epithelial cells; Metaplastic changes; Phenotypical alterations