Ongoing Research: IN VITRO MODELS CELL CULTURE

1. Culturing of Cells

A. Uses of Cultured Cells

i. General Information
Cultured cells from human donor lungs are used to create in vitro (outside the living body) models of the airway epithelium (layer of cells forming the surface). The use of these cells has been of critical importance to studies of cystic fibrosis (CF) airway and lung disease. Investigators have been able to culture the cells as an epithelium which retains the properties of the in vivo airway (as in the living body). Studies of these epithelia have provided many new insights into the reasons of the disease. In particular, the use of these cells has allowed us to focus work on the development of new treatments for cystic fibrosis. Other studies focus on the defects within the cell in cystic fibrosis in order to understand better the origin and mechanics of the disease. However, availability of tissue samples from both cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis patients is the major limiting factor in much of this work.

ii. Gene Therapy
Work with cultured cystic fibrosis airway cells has led us to develop adenoviruses (like the common cold virus) and cationic lipids (special fat paraticles) as carriers for gene therapy of cystic fibrosis. More efficient methods of gene transfer are now being developed. Gene therapy can correct the CF defect in these lab cultures of CF cells. This is one of the early steps that research people have to do before gene therapy can advance to possible clinical trials.

iii. Airway Fluid Studies
Another research approach we are studying is what causes bacterial infections in the airway passages of CF patients. Our research has discovered why bacteria may survive and grow on cultured CF airway cells. There are protective substances made by airway cells that prevent bacteria from growing. These substances do not kill bacteria as well in a high salt enviroment. We are currently using cultured surgical specimen cells from Cystic Fibrosi and non-CF patients to determine the salt concentration of the airway and to figure out what protective substances are present.

Meet the Core Personnel: Phil Karp, Tami Nesselhauf, Jan Launspach, Pamela Hughes