Gene transfer to the respiratory epithelium is currently apical membrane represented a significant barrier to both suboptimal and may be helped by the identification of limitagents. Adenovirus-mediated expression could be signifiing biological barriers. We have, therefore, developed an cantly augmented by increasing contact time or by preex vivo model which retains many of the characteristics of treatment of tissues with a nominally calcium-free medium. in vivo native airways including mucociliary clearance,The presence of these extracellular and plasma membrane mucus coverage and an intact cellular structure. Using this barriers appeared to be the key parameters responsible for model we have demonstrated several barriers to gene the approximately three log difference in gene expression transfer. Liposome-mediated gene transfer was inhibited found in vitro compared with our ex vivo model. Cytoskeleby normal mucus, with removal of this layer increasing tal elements and the cell cycle also influenced in vitro gene expression approximately 25-fold. In addition both lipotransfer, and represent further barriers which need to be some and adenovirus were inhibited by CF sputum. The overcome.