The scope of our research is to develop and characterize an in vitro model using airway epithelial cells to study the effects of chronic CSC exposure. We aimed to understand the cellular response that occurred in airway epithelial cells under long-term cigarette smoke exposure, which is relevant to the pathogenesis of COPD. The recognition of intricate epithelium immune cell interaction in COPD is considered a pivotal recent development in COPD research.
We have established a novel in vitro model that mimic chronic CSC exposure in airway epithelial cells. Our findings open up new avenue of investigating the long-term effect of chronic cigarette smoke exposure on airway epithelial cells and their role in COPD progression. In the future, our laboratory will focus on exploring specific pathway that regulate epithelial cells differentiation and the role of airway epithelial cells heterogenetic in COPD treatment response.
