Fig. 2.
Asthmatic EMTUs are more sensitive on the TGF-β1 than non-asthmatic counterparts. a Mucociliary differentiated HBECs were cultured in the presence of HBF populations for 4 days in EMTU model in the absence (CTRL) or presence of TGF-β1 (5 ng/ml). TEER values were measured before EMTU establishment and after 4 days of cultures in triplicates for each experimental condition. b Results were presented as the change of TEER value after 4 days of EMTU culture in relation to TEER values before EMTU establishment (% of control, where the control group was compatible EMTU without the presence of TGF-β1) as an average ± SEM. Expression of selected c-e FMT- related genes: ACTA2 (α-smooth muscle actin), TAGLN (transgelin), FN1 (fibronectin); f-g markers of mucociliary differentiated HBECs: DNAH9 (dynein axonemal heavy chain 9), MUC5AC (mucin 5 AC) and h-k EMT-related genes: ACTA2, CDH2 (N-cadherin), SNAI1 (Snail) and SNAI2 (Slug) was measured by RT-qPCR and presented as 2-ΔCt value in relation to GAPDH as a reference gene. Data from all experiments represent the mean ± SEM carried out on HBFs AS (n = 4) and NA (n = 4). Statistical significances were tested using the non-parametric Friedmann with Dunn’s Multiple Comparison post hoc test (comparison between AS and NA group) or Kruskall-Wallis tests (comparison within the group) with Dunn’s Multiple Comparison post hoc test; * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01,*** p < 0.001