Jonathan Widdicombe

TL;DR: The successful establishment of a postcrisis SV40 large T-antigen transformed epithelial cell line derived from human bronchial epithelium is described, and this cell line, 16HBE14o- cells, provides a valuable resource for studying the modulation of CFTR and its role in regulation of chloride ion transport in human airway epithelia as well as other aspects of human airways cell biology.

TL;DR: The conditions which allow cultured human tracheal epithelial cells to retain the ion transport properties and ultrastructure of the original tissue are described and an air interface (AIR) gave better electrical properties than immersion feeding (IMM).

TL;DR: Of 12 cell lines derived from human lung cancers, only Calu-3 cells showed high transepithelial resistance (Rte) and increases in short-circuit current (Isc) in response to mediators, and it is anticipated that Calu -3 cells will prove useful in the study of Cl- secretion and other functions of human airway epithelial cells.

TL;DR: The implementation of the in vitro cell culture systems that have now been established and the research into optimizing the conditions for the growth of airway epithelial cells have been and will continue to be essential in the development of therapies for airway disease.

TL;DR: TI cells not only contain molecular machinery necessary for active ion transport, but also transport ions, modifying some basic concepts about lung liquid transport and suggesting that TI cells may contribute significantly in maintaining alveolar fluid balance and in resolving airspace edema.