Figure 7.

Overview of FTECs primary culture and strategy for inducing the multi-ciliated cells (MCCs) by ALI culture. FTECs were dissociated by collagenase IV and co-cultured with MEF cells to expand the colonies. After expansion, FTECs were seeded onto collagen I-coated porous supports and cultured with the basal medium. After reaching confluency, defined supplements were added to induce ciliogenesis. ALI culture conditions involved removing the medium from the top chamber so the liquid interface barely covered the apical surface of the epithelial sheet.