Figure 1.

Airway epithelial cells synthesize and release IL-13 in response to mechanical injury. Multiple linear wounds were made in confluent monolayers of 1HAEo⁻ cells. Total RNA, protein lysates, and conditioned media (CM) were collected at indicated times. mRNA expression (A), protein synthesis (B), and release (C) of IL-13 after mechanical injury were examined by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and ELISA. Two linear wounds are created on air–liquid interface (ALI) and followed for 1 minute and 30 minutes and then fixed with 10% formalin. Sectioned ALI were stained for IL-13 using standard protocols. Representative images are noted in D with (a) confluent ALI, (b) ALI 1 minute, and (c) ALI 30 minutes after injury. Scale bar = 40 μm.