Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol., Vol 12, No. 2, Feb 1995, 130-141.
Mucous and serous secretions of human bronchial epithelial cells in secondary culture
N Emery, GA Place, S Dodd, M Lhermitte, G David, G Lamblin, JM Perini, AM Page, RL Hall and P Roussel
Unite INSERM No. 377, Lille, France.
Human bronchial surface epithelial cells were maintained in secondary
culture on a collagen gel substrate in a defined, serum-free medium. These
conditions have previously been reported to promote mucous cell
differentiation. After 3 wk in culture, approximately 40% of the cells were
stained by an antibody directed against human respiratory mucin. Analysis
of media from cells cultured in the presence of the radioactive precursors
[3H]glucosamine and [35S]sulfate revealed that the cells secreted high
molecular weight glycoproteins with properties of typical respiratory
mucins. In addition, hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans containing
chondroitin sulfate and/or heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans were
identified in cell conditioned media. Finally, Western blot analyses showed
that the cells secreted lysozyme and mucous proteinase inhibitor, proteins
that are generally considered to be markers for submucosal gland serous
cells. These results show that human bronchial cells from the surface
epithelium in secondary culture secreted a range of glycoconjugates and
proteins that were typical secretory products of both mucous and serous
cells.
