Comparative Mammalian Lung Primary Surface Epithelial Cell Culture

Abstract

Epithelial cells lining the airways and alveoli are important in normal homeostasis and in disease, and in vitro cultures of these cells are vital for mechanistic basic science laboratory studies as well as applied preclinical research/development and toxicology. Lung epithelial cell culture developed in parallel to cell culture in general, and tissues from many mammalian species have been used as a source of cells both historically and currently. The purpose of this chapter is to review the development and current state of the art of lung epithelial cell culture from mammalian species, focusing on modern primary airway and alveolar surface epithelial cell cultures that better recapitulate the normal in vivo morphology and physiology, theoretically permitting more relevant research.