Abstract
Epithelial surfaces of the body are a key component of host defense by providing a mechanical barrier against potentially harmful substances. The respiratory tract is constantly challenged by a wide range of airborne pathogens and particulates, and provides not only a mucosal barrier, but also an intricate innate immune defense system. Disruption of the alveolar epithelial barrier can lead to acute lung injury, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Protection of lung epithelial integrity, or repair of hyperpermeability with keratinocyte growth factor or Hsp90 inhibitors, is crucial for combating permeability edema. Ex vivo-differentiated lung epithelium represents a physiologically relevant tool for analyzing the effect of pathogens, chemicals, or drugs on lung barrier function. The integrity of the lung epithelial layer can be determined by several approaches. By combining two of these techniques, transepithelial electrical resistance and paracellular flux of fluorescent molecules, information about barrier integrity can be obtained in a prompt and convenient manner. As example, the virus- or bacterial toxin-mediated disruption of an ex vivo-differentiated mucociliary lung epithelial barrier is used here for assessing advantages and limitations of these methods.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Luis Alvarez for helpful discussions and graphical assistance, and Mandy Lehmann for the initial establishment of the lung epithelial model and permeability assay system. The work was supported by CDC grant CI000095 and by funding from UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science.
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Strengert, M., Knaus, U.G. (2011). Analysis of Epithelial Barrier Integrity in Polarized Lung Epithelial Cells. In: Turksen, K. (eds) Permeability Barrier. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 763. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-191-8_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-191-8_13
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Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-191-8
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