Mucous and serous secretions of human bronchial epithelial cells in secondary culture.

Human bronchial surface epithelial cells were maintained in secondary culture on a collagen gel substrate in a defined, serum-free medium. These conditions have previously been reported to promote mucous cell differentiation. After 3 wk in culture, approximately 40% of the cells were stained by an antibody directed against human respiratory mucin. Analysis of media from cells cultured in the presence of the radioactive precursors [3H]glucosamine and [35S]sulfate revealed that the cells secreted high molecular weight glycoproteins with properties of typical respiratory mucins. In addition, hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans containing chondroitin sulfate and/or heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans were identified in cell conditioned media. Finally, Western blot analyses showed that the cells secreted lysozyme and mucous proteinase inhibitor, proteins that are generally considered to be markers for submucosal gland serous cells. These results show that human bronchial cells from the surface epithelium in secondary culture secreted a range of glycoconjugates and proteins that were typical secretory products of both mucous and serous cells.