Cell Specification
The respiratory epithelium is composed of a mixed population of ciliated, nonciliated, and mucous-secreting cells from proximal to distal airways. The individual characteristics of the subtypes of these cells create not only an effective physical barrier against various noxious substances, but also a highly sophisticated host defense system by producing and releasing a large number of chemical mediators and cytokines [1]. The bronchial epithelium consists of the surface epithelial cells and mucus glands. The surface epithelial cells are made up of three principle cell types: basal, goblet, and ciliated cells, of which the latter two form a suprabasal columnar structure and are necessary for mucociliary clearance. Studies using bronchial epithelial cell culture differentiated to induce a mucociliary phenotype have shown that IL-4 and IL-13 stimulation modulate basic cell functions such as proliferation, ciliary beating, and mucous production [2]. Cell proliferation, as well as various other cellular processes in bronchial epithelial cells, is also regulated in part by EGF receptor signaling [3]. The availability of bronchial epithelial cell culture provides an in vitro model to study the mechanisms of function and pathophysiology of these cells.

HBEpiC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from human lung tissue. HBEpiC are cryopreserved at primary culture and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10⁵ cells in 1 ml volume. HBEpiC are characterized by immunofluorescent method with antibodies CK-18, -19, and vimentin. HBEpiC are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HBEpiC are guaranteed to further culture at the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

Recommended Medium
It is recommended to use Bronchial Epithelial Cell Medium (BECM, Cat. No. 3211) for the culturing of HBEpiC in vitro.

Product Use
HBEpiC are for research use only. It is not approved for human or animal use, or for application in in vitro diagnostic procedures.

Storage
Directly and immediately transfer cells from dry ice to liquid nitrogen upon receiving and keep the cells in liquid nitrogen until cell culture needed for experiments.

Shipping
Dry ice.

Reference
[1]. Velden, V. H., and H. F. Versnel. 1998. Bronchial epithelium: morphology, function and pathophysiology in asthma. Eur. Cytokine Netw. 9:585-597.
[2]. Kikuchi, T., Shively, J.D., Foley, J.S., Drazen, J.M., Tschumperlin, D.J. (2004) Differentiation-dependent responsiveness of bronchial epithelial cells to IL-4/13 stimulation. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 287:L119-26.
[3]. Kim S, Schein AJ, Nadel JA.(2005) E-cadherin promotes EGFR-mediated cell differentiation and MUC5AC mucin expression in cultured human airway epithelial cells. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 289:L1049-60.