Cell culture approaches to the investigation of human airway ion transport.

Several techniques for the study of human airway epithelial ion transport employing cultured cells were explored. Human nasal epithelial cells were cultured in serum-free, hormone supplemented media. For bioelectric characterization of ion transport functions of cultured cells, cells were inoculated into heterologous grafts, and implanted into immunocompromised mice, or onto collagen membranes maintained in vitro. Cells populating either preparation exhibited a pattern of Na+ and Cl- transport similar to that of freshly excised nasal specimens. Differences between preparations were observed for absolute transport rates, tissue resistance, and morphology. We conclude that (1) cell culture techniques will be useful in investigating ion transport activities of human pulmonary epithelia from normal and abnormal lungs; and (2) the selection of specific culture techniques should be guided by the nature of the epithelial functions tested.