Study of Human Nasal Epithelial Stem or Progenitor Cell Growth and Differentiation In an In Vitro System

Abstract

Nasal polyps (NP) is a chronic inflammatory airway disease, which represents severe infiltration of inflammatory cells (e.g. eosinophils and neutrophils), epithelial remodeling and stromal edema. Although genetic predisposition and environmental factors are considered to be the main cause of NP development and recurrence, the etiology and pathogenesis of NP remain unclear partially due to the lack of in vitro experimental models for its research. In this respect, this thesis focuses on the establishment of human nasal epithelial stem or progenitor cells (hNESPCs) model in vitro, investigation of bio-physiology and pathophysiology of cell growth and differentiation of hNESPCs isolated from healthy nasal mucosa and NPs, and the implication of this cell model in study of the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms leading to aberrant epithelial remodeling and impairment of mucociliary apparatus such as cilia architecture and ciliogenesis in hyperplastic nasal epithelium from NPs.