Respose of Cultured Nasal Epithelial Cells to Wall Shear Stress

The nasal cavity lining is rich with mucus secreting goblet cells. Nasal defense is based on the mucociliary clearance mechanism, in which the secreted mucus layer traps inhaled particles and is constantly driven towards the nasopharynx for removal of the particles from the body. The mucus layer is also important for the exchange of temperature and water vapor with the inspired air. Airway goblet cells discharge mucus in response to a wide variety of biological stimuli, including cytokines, bacterial products, proteinases, oxidants, irritant gases, and inflammatory mediators [1], as well as biophysical changes, such as osmolarity alterations [2].