In this project, we use primary differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) to investigate the role of heavy chain hyaluronan (HC-HA) and tumor necrosis factor stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6) in establishing a proinflammatory extracellular matrix that promotes airway inflammation during RSV.
We are collaborating with the Eldredge Lab to establish a novel model of ex vivo tracheal development using primary organotypic human airway epithelial cells grown in co-culture with chondrocyte organoids established from primary mesenchymal stem cells.