Respiratory System

The Respiratory System category covers cells derived from the lungs, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. These cells are essential for studying asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, influenza, and COVID-19. Key terms include respiratory cells, lung cells, and bronchial epithelial cells. Our products feature human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs), which are widely used for mucociliary differentiation at the air-liquid interface to form a pseudostratified epithelium with ciliated, goblet, and basal cells. Small airway epithelial cells represent the distal lung beyond the 6th generation of branching, where gas exchange begins; they are crucial for studying small airway diseases like bronchiolitis and early COPD. Airway epithelial cells form the first line of defense against pathogens, expressing pattern recognition receptors and secreting antimicrobial peptides. Alveolar epithelial cells include type I cells (squamous, involved in gas exchange) and type II cells (cuboidal, secrete surfactant and regenerate type I cells). Lung fibroblast populations reside in the interstitium and support the alveolar structure; they become activated in fibrosis and are used to test anti-fibrotic drugs such as pirfenidone and nintedanib. The phrase epithelial cells in lungs encompasses both bronchial and alveolar types, and we provide both primary and immortalized versions. Lung cell is a broad term, but we provide specific subtypes including club cells, neuroendocrine cells, and alveolar macrophages. Human lung fibroblasts are used for co-culture with epithelial cells to model the epithelial-mesenchymal trophic unit, as well as for collagen contraction assays and wound healing studies. Airway epithelium can be cultured at air-liquid interface on permeable supports, allowing researchers to measure transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and assess barrier function. The term respiratory type refers to pneumocytes, specifically type I and type II alveolar epithelial cells. Human lung cell preparations include primary alveolar macrophages obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage, as well as primary lung endothelial cells. Bronchial epithelial cells can be differentiated into ciliated, goblet, and basal cells under appropriate culture conditions. Alveolar type cells are difficult to maintain in primary culture but are available as cryopreserved preparations. Researchers repeatedly use human bronchial epithelial cells for toxicology studies (e.g., cigarette smoke extract, diesel exhaust) and lung fibroblast for matrix remodeling assays (e.g., collagen gel contraction). Our respiratory cells and lung cells are quality-controlled for viability, purity, and functional responses, ensuring reproducible results for pulmonary research.