The Anti-inflammatory Effect of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin in Rhinovirus-infected Human Airway Epithelial Cells

Utilization of Air-Liquid Interface Cultures as an In Vitro Model to Assess Primary Airway Epithelial Cell Responses to the Type 2 Cytokine Interleukin-13

The airway epithelium lines the respiratory tract and provides the primary protective barrier against inhalational insults including toxic environmental substances and microorganisms. The airway epithelium also plays a critical role in regulating airway immune responses. The airway epithelial response to the type 2 cytokine, interleukin-13 (IL-13), is critical to airway inflammation, mucus production, and airway hyperresponsiveness present in asthma. Relevant primary cell models of the human airway epithelium are needed to investigate the biology of IL-13-mediated airway epithelial effects. Here, we describe the generation of a differentiated mucociliary human airway epithelium using an in vitro air-liquid interface (ALI) culture model system. We also describe methods to stimulate this culture model with IL-13 and harvest cells and biomolecules to interrogate cellular and molecular aspects of the airway epithelial IL-13 response.

Human Pulmonary 3D Models For Translational Research

Lung diseases belong to the major causes of death worldwide. Recent innovative methodological developments now allow more and more for the use of primary human tissue and cells to model such diseases. In this regard, the review covers bronchial air-liquid interface cultures, precision cut lung slices as well as ex vivo cultures of explanted peripheral lung tissue and de-/re-cellularization models. Diseases such as asthma or infections are discussed and an outlook on further areas for development is given. Overall, the progress in ex vivo modeling by using primary human material could make translational research activities more efficient by simultaneously fostering the mechanistic understanding of human lung diseases while reducing animal usage in biomedical research.

Promising approaches for the treatment and prevention of viral respiratory illnesses

Viral respiratory tract infections are the most common human ailments, leading to enormous health and economic burden. Hundreds of viral species and subtypes have been associated with these conditions, with influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, and rhinoviruses being the most frequent and with the highest burden. When considering prevention or treatment of viral respiratory tract infections, potential targets include the causative pathogens themselves but also the immune response, disease transmission, or even just the symptoms. Strategies targeting all these aspects are developing concurrently, and several novel and promising approaches are emerging. In this perspective we overview the entire range of options and highlight some of the most promising approaches, including new antiviral agents, symptomatic or immunomodulatory drugs, the re-emergence of natural remedies, and vaccines and public health policies toward prevention. Wide-scale prevention through immunization appears to be within reach for respiratory syncytial virus and promising for influenza virus, whereas additional effort is needed in regard to rhinovirus, as well as other respiratory tract viruses.