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Goblet Cell Metaplasia

MucilAir™ is a relevant model to evaluate goblet cell metaplasia induction and treatment

Goblet cell metaplasia can be induced by environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke.

The aim of this assay is to evaluate compound efficacy to block or to reverse goblet cell metaplasia.

Respiratory allergy as well as asthma is characterized by TH-2 cytokine-mediated immune response in which IL-2, 3, 5, and 13 play an important role. Treated with neutralizing anti-IL-13 monoclonal antibody, the health condition of several asthmatic patients was significantly improved, suggesting that targeting the TH-2 cytokines is a promising therapeutic option. This assay allows evaluating and ranking the efficacy of drugs blocking the IL-13 signaling pathway.

Model

MucilAir™ is treated during two weeks with IL-13 at different concentrations, ranging from 0.3 to 30 ng/ml. Using in situ Alcian Blue staining, as well as histological analysis, an increased goblet cell density in a dose-response manner is observed after 14 days of IL-13 treatment.

Furthermore, ELISA analysis reveals a concomitant increase of Eotaxin-3 released in the culture media depending on IL-13 concentration. Interestingly, the ciliated cells are still present, and the muco-ciliary clearance is still functional, despite an over-production of mucus.

The above pictures depict paraffin sections stained with anti-Muc-5AC antibody from 2 batches of MucilAir

Left: Percentage of the mucus cells over the total surface was measured using Software ImageJ, showing a dose-dependent increase of the goblet cell density induced by IL-13 at Day 14.

Right: ELISA Quantification of Eotaxin-3, a chemokine induced by IL-13 at Day 14.

 
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