Upper Airway Stem Cells: Understanding the Nose and Role for Future Cell Therapy

Abstract

The nose together with the paranasal sinuses has an approximate surface area of 100 to 200 cm(2) in adults, which is lined with pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium. It serves several important physiological functions such as conditioning and filtration of the inspired air and the provision of end organ for the sense of smell. It is also a physical and immunological barrier as it is the first site of interaction between the host tissue and foreign invaders (viruses, bacteria, and allergens). Our understanding of the complex cellular events occurring in response to inhaled agents during the development of common airway diseases has been significantly enhanced by the current status of in vivo and in vitro nasal experimental models. This will allow the development of novel therapeutic strategies designed to improve the physiological and immune defense functions of the nasal epithelium, as well as novel therapies for other common nasal diseases.

Human nasal epithelial cells derived from multiple subjects exhibit differential responses to H3N2 influenza virus infection in vitro

“…4,E4 However, the holistic understanding of the viral replication dynamics and immune responses generated in AECs per se at both early and late infection phases is incomplete. 5 By using in vivo E6,E7 and in vitro E5,E8,E9,E22 models, the pathogenesis of human IAV has been partially recapitulated. However, most reported host defense mechanisms of the respiratory system to viral infections are based on studies of the lower respiratory tract, particularly initiation and development processes from innate to adaptive immunity generated mainly by the cells within the subepithelium, such as dendritic cells and macrophages.…”

“…3 Less is known about the upper respiratory mucosa, the first portal of contact of respiratory infections. 5 Therefore relevant clinical or preclinical studies are necessary to validate findings from in vitro models, virus-host relationships, and subsequent transmissibility between human subjects.…”

Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine in Rhinology: Review

“…Bir çalışmada kültür H3N2 virüsü ile enfekte edildikten sonra özellikle nazal epiteldeki ZO-1 paterninde irregülerite yaratarak sıkı bağlantıları bozduğu, siliyer ve goblet hücrelerini direkt enfekte ederek sitopatik etki gös-terdiği ve 24 saatte virüs sayısının ikiye katlandığı gösterilmiştir. 27 Doku iskeletinde kültüre edilen nazal epitelyal hücrelerin gelecekte greft olarak kullanılabile-ceğine dair literatürde çalışmalar vardır. 28 Düşük maliyetli, biyoadeziv, non-antijenik ve tolere edilebilir doku iskelet materyali olan chitosan üze-rinde kültüre edilen nazal epitel hücreleri ileride septal perforasyon onarımında ve beyin-omurilik sıvı kaçaklarında kullanabileceği de düşünülmek-tedir.…”

Airway epithelial barrier dysfunction in the pathogenesis and prognosis of respiratory tract diseases in childhood and adulthood

“…2 The nose, combined with paranasal sinuses, has a surface area of about 100-200 cm 2 in adults. 3 Every minute, about 6-12 liters of air is inhaled, which results in the exposure of an extensive amount of epithelial tissue to harmful environmental agents and infectious organisms. 1 In a healthy nose, 80-90% of inhaled minute particles (e.g.…”