hTert-immortalized human normal airway tracheobronchial epithelial cells, BCi.NS1.1 (55 (link)) were maintained in ExPlus growth media (StemCell). To generate HAEC, BCi.NS1.1 were plated (7.5E4 cells/well) on rat-tail collagen type 1-coated permeable transwell membrane supports (6.5mm; Corning Inc), immersed in ExPlus growth media in both the apical and basal chamber. Upon reaching confluency, media in the apical chamber was removed (airlift), and media in the basal chamber was changed to Pneumacult ALI maintenance media (StemCell). Pneumacult ALI maintenance media was changed every two days for approximately 6 weeks to form differentiated, polarized cultures that resemble in vivo pseudostratified mucociliary epithelium.