TY - JOUR T1 - Human lung mast cells alter asthmatic airway epithelial cell function JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 42 IS - Suppl 57 SP - P3130 AU - Hatem Alkhouri AU - Janette Burgess AU - Carol Armour AU - J. Margaret Hughes Y1 - 2013/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P3130.abstract N2 - In asthma, the airway epithelial cell layer is fragile and mucus production is increased. As mast cells are often in close proximity with the epithelial cells we hypothesised they may affect the integrity of the epithelial layer and contribute to asthma pathophysiology.Aim: To examine the effects of human lung mast cell (HLMC) products on asthmatic and non-asthmatic airway epithelial cell function.Methods: HLMC were stimulated with IgE/anti-IgE and their supernatants (SN) collected after 2 and 24h. Calu-3 cell line or primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBEC) obtained from people with and without asthma were grown in air-liquid interface before adding HLMC SN. Epithelial layers were then evaluated for transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), mucus secretion and wound healing within 48h.Results: In all epithelial cells tested, both 2 and 24h HLMC SN significantly reduced TEER while only the 2h SN increased mucus production. The responses of asthmatic and non-asthmatic PBEC were not different. In Calu-3 control cells only 10% of the wound area remained open after 48h, but 2h HLMC SN reduced this closure by 28%. In contrast, the 24h HLMC SN increased the rate of wound closure, such that it was complete within 30 hours.Conclusion: Granule derived (2h) and newly synthesised (24h) HLMC products differentially modulated airway epithelial cell function. Some effects of newly synthesized products may be protective by inducing wound healing. Thus mast cells have the capacity to regulate epithelial cell functions in asthma.Funded by: NHMRC of Australia. ER -