Guinea pig tracheal epithelial cells in primary culture: morphological and metabolic characterization.

The tracheo-bronchial epithelial cells are the first cells of the respiratory tract to encounter inhaled pathogens or allergens. In order to study these interactions in vitro we developed a culture of epithelial cells from guinea pig trachea which were kept as a primary culture for 3-13 days. Electron microscopy showed that the specific ultrastructure of epithelial cells was maintained, particularly cytokeratin intermediate filaments detected by immunofluorescence. The cells in culture produced eicosanoid metabolites, mainly leukotriene B4 and prostaglandin E2 spontaneously and upon calcium ionophore A23187 stimulation.