RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Increased uptake of haemophilus influenzae by primary airway epithelial cells from COPD patients JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP PA4018 DO 10.1183/13993003.congress-2016.PA4018 VO 48 IS suppl 60 A1 Fenwick, Peter A1 Barnes, Peter J. A1 Donnelly, Louise YR 2016 UL https://publications.ersnet.org//content/48/suppl_60/PA4018.abstract AB Rationale: Most hospitalizations in the UK are due to exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but why some patients are prone to recurring exacerbations is unclear. One reason could be recolonisation of the airways by bacteria that hide in airway epithelial cells following antibiotic treatment. To test this, airway epithelial cells from non-smokers and COPD patients were exposed to fluorescently labelled Haemophilus influenzae and uptake measured.Methods: Primary airway epithelial cells from both non-smokers (n=5) and COPD patients (n=5) were exposed to fluorescently labelled heat-killed H. influenzae for 72h. Extra-cellular fluorescence was quenched using Trypan blue and internal fluorescence measured fluorimetrically. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay.Results: Airway epithelial cells ingested H. influenzae in a time-dependent manner up to 72h without causing cell death. However, airway epithelial cells from COPD patients ingested more bacteria than cells obtained from healthy controls (Fig. 1). Conclusion: COPD epithelial cells appear to have increased capacity to engulf H. influenzae compared with healthy cells, implying that following antibiotics, bacteria stored within these cells may be released and recolonize the airways leading to subsequent exacerbations. Targeting this mechanism in the airway epithelium may prevent repeat exacerbations in the future.