Effects of Cigarette Smoke on Airway Cells

The effects of CS on OPN production in ALI-PBECs differentiated in the presence of IL-13, which promotes goblet cell hyperplasia, were investigated in this experimental model. PBECs were grown to confluence and cultured at the ALI for 14 days in the presence and absence of recombinant human IL-13 (2.5 ng/mL, Peprotech, Rocky Hill, NJ, USA), which was added to the basolateral compartment of Transwell inserts. This was followed by exposure to whole CS or air once daily for a further 5 days in the presence and absence of continued IL-13 treatment (2.5 ng/mL), which was added to the basolateral compartment of the wells. Medium was refreshed every 2 days during the first 14 days and daily during the last 5 days, directly after whole CS or air exposure. Medium from the basolateral compartment and cells from the apical compartment were collected 24 h after final exposure to whole CS or air^{25 (link)}.