Supplemental O 2 (hyperoxia; 30-90% O 2 ) is a necessary intervention for premature infants, but it contributes to development of neonatal and pediatric asthma, necessitating better understanding of contributory mechanisms in hyperoxia-induced changes to airway structure and function. In adults, environmental stressors promote formation of senescent cells that secrete factors (senescence-associated secretory phenotype), which can be inflammatory and have paracrine effects that enhance chronic lung diseases. Hyperoxia-induced changes in airway structure and function are mediated in part by effects on airway smooth muscle (ASM). In the present study, using human fetal ASM cells as a model of prematurity, we ascertained the effects of clinically relevant moderate hyperoxia (40% O 2 ) on cellular senescence. Fetal ASM exposed to 40% O 2 for 7 days exhibited elevated concentrations of senescence-associated markers, including b-galactosidase; cell cycle checkpoint proteins p16, p21, and p-p53; and the DNA damage marker p-gH2A.X (phosphorylated g-histone family member X). The combination of dasatinib and quercetin, compounds known to eliminate senescent cells (senolytics), reduced the number of hyperoxia-exposed b-galactosidase-, p21-, p16-, and p-gH2A.X-positive ASM cells. The senescenceassociated secretory phenotype profile of hyperoxia-exposed cells included both profibrotic and proinflammatory mediators. Naive ASM exposed to media from hyperoxia-exposed senescent cells exhibited increased collagen and fibronectin and higher contractility. Our data show that induction of cellular senescence by hyperoxia leads to secretion of inflammatory factors and has a functional effect on naive ASM. Cellular senescence in the airway may thus contribute to pediatric airway disease in the context of sequelae of preterm birth.

Airway smooth muscle (ASM) regulation of airway structure and contractility is critical in fetal/neonatal physiology in health and disease. Fetal lungs experience higher Ca2+ environment that may impact extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o) sensing receptor (CaSR). Well‐known in the parathyroid gland, CaSR is also expressed in late embryonic lung mesenchyme. Using cells from 18‐22 week human fetal lungs, we tested the hypothesis that CaSR regulates intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in fetal ASM (fASM). Compared with adult ASM, CaSR expression was higher in fASM, while fluorescence Ca2+ imaging showed that [Ca2+]i was more sensitive to altered [Ca2+]o. The fASM [Ca2+]i responses to histamine were also more sensitive to [Ca2+]o (0–2 mM) compared with an adult, enhanced by calcimimetic R568 but blunted by calcilytic NPS2143. [Ca2+]i was enhanced by endogenous CaSR agonist spermine (again higher sensitivity compared with adult). Inhibition of phospholipase C (U73122; siRNA) or inositol 1,4,5‐triphosphate receptor (Xestospongin C) blunted [Ca2+]o sensitivity and R568 effects. NPS2143 potentiated U73122 effects. Store‐operated Ca2+ entry was potentiated by R568. Traction force microscopy showed responsiveness of fASM cellular contractility to [Ca2+]o and NPS2143. Separately, fASM proliferation showed sensitivity to [Ca2+]o and NPS2143. These results demonstrate functional CaSR in developing ASM that modulates airway contractility and proliferation.

Abstract There is a shortage of research models that adequately represent the unique mucosal environment of human ectocervix, limiting development of new therapies for treating infertility, infection, or cancer. We developed three microphysiologic human ectocervix models to study hormone action during homeostasis. First, we reconstructed ectocervix using decellularized extracellular matrix scaffolds, which supported cell integration and could be clinically useful. Secondly, we generated organotypic systems consisting of ectocervical explants co-cultured with murine ovaries or cycling exogenous hormones, which mimicked human menstrual cycles. Finally, we engineered ectocervix tissue consisting of tissue-specific stromal-equivalents and fully-differentiated epithelium that mimicked in vivo physiology, including squamous maturation, hormone response, and mucin production, and remained viable for 28 days in vitro. The localization of differentiation-dependent mucins in native and engineered tissue was identified for the first time, which will allow increased efficiency in mucin targeting for drug delivery. In summary, we developed and characterized three microphysiologic human ectocervical tissue models that will be useful for a variety of research applications, including preventative and therapeutic treatments, drug and toxicology studies, and fundamental research on hormone action in a historically understudied tissue that is critical for women’s health.

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