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The Modulation of Respiratory Epithelial Cell Differentiation by the Thickness of an Electrospun Poly-ε-Carprolactone Mesh Mimicking the Basement Membrane

Authors :
Seon Young Choi
Hyun Joo Kim
Soyoung Hwang
Jangho Park
Jungkyu Park
Jin Woo Lee
Kuk Hui Son
Source :
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 25, Iss 12, p 6650 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

The topology of the basement membrane (BM) affects cell physiology and pathology, and BM thickening is associated with various chronic lung diseases. In addition, the topology of commercially available poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) membranes, which are used in preclinical in vitro models, differs from that of the human BM, which has a fibrous and elastic structure. In this study, we verified the effect of BM thickness on the differentiation of normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells. To evaluate whether the thickness of poly-ε-carprolactone (PCL) mesh affects the differentiation of NHBE cells, cells were grown on thin- (6-layer) and thick-layer (80-layer) meshes consisting of electrospun PCL nanofibers using an air–liquid interface (ALI) cell culture system. It was found that the NHBE cells formed a normal pseudostratified epithelium composed of ciliated, goblet, and basal cells on the thin-layer PCL mesh; however, goblet cell hyperplasia was observed on the thick-layer PCL mesh. Differentiated NHBE cells cultured on the thick-layer PCL mesh also demonstrated increased epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) compared to those cultured on the thin-layer PCL mesh. In addition, expression of Sox9, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and oxidative stress-related markers, which are also associated with goblet cell hyperplasia, was increased in the differentiated NHBE cells cultured on the thick-layer PCL mesh. Thus, the use of thick electrospun PCL mesh led to NHBE cells differentiating into hyperplastic goblet cells via EMT and the oxidative stress-related signaling pathway. Therefore, the topology of the BM, for example, thickness, may affect the differentiation direction of human bronchial epithelial cells.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14220067 and 16616596
Volume :
25
Issue :
12
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.fc737beeea014da89b696047c9485335
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25126650