Cell Specification
The small airways are located at the interface between alveoli and conducting airways. Airway epithelial cells forming a continuous lining to the airways play a unique role as a protective physical and functional barrier to external deleterious agents. These cells function in the regulation of immune responses by contributing to host defense through chemokine production [1], adhesion molecule expression [2], and possibly antigen presentation via HLA-DR expression [3]. They also produce liquids contributing to pulmonary fluid balance. Many airway diseases, such as asthma, bronchiolitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cystic fibrosis, involve damage to the airway surface epithelium. The human small airway epithelial cell culture may identify new therapeutic options in preventing amplified airway ailment and remodeling.

HSAEpiC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from human lung tissue. HSAEpiC are cryopreserved at either primary culture or passage one culture and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 105 cells in 1 ml volume. HSAEpiC are characterized by immunofluorescent method with antibodies CK-18, -19, and vimentin. HSAEpiC are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HSAEpiC are guaranteed to further expand for 15 population doublings at the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

Recommended Medium
It is recommended to use Small Airway Epithelial Cell Medium (SAEpiCM, Cat. No. 3231) for the culturing of HSAEpiC in vitro.

Product Use
HSAEpiC 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]. Crapo, J. D., Young, S. L., Fram, E. K., Pinkerton, K. E., Barry, B. E., & Crapo, R. O. (1983) Morphometric characteristics of cells in the alveolar region of mammalian lungs. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 128:S42-S46.
[2]. Wright, J. R. & Dobbs, L. G. (1991) Regulation of pulmonary surfactant secretion and clearance. Annu. Rev. Physiol. 53:395-414 .
[3]. Johnson, M. D., Widdicombe, J. H., Allen, L., Barbry, P. and Dobbs, L. G. (2004) Alveolar epithelial type I cells contain transport proteins and transport sodium, supporting an active role for type I cells in regulation of lung liquid homeostasis Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 99(4):1966-1971.