Figure 4

WFDC2 is expressed in primary tracheal cells, differentiated tracheobronchial epithelial cells and alveolar Type II epithelial cells. A. Expression of WFDC2 was studied by PCR using freshly harvested human tracheal cells (H) and samples taken from the cultures at two stages (P1, P2) as the cells were established at an air liquid interface (ALI). Expression of the non-ciliated tracheal cell marker CCSP was also monitored in the same samples. B. Expression of WFDC2 was studied by PCR in samples of primary tracheobronchial epithelial cells during retinoic acid depletion and the subsequent loss of the differentiated phenotype. The normal concentration of retinoic acid (50 nm RA) was removed (-) over the indicated period of days. RA withdrawal began at day 14. Expression of the related WAP domain containing proteins SLPI and elafin and the non-ciliated and mucous markers CCSP and Muc5B were also studied in the same samples. C. Expression of WFDC2 and elafin was studied by PCR in samples of differentiated primary tracheobronchial epithelial cells following treatment with IL-1β for 24 and 48 hours D. Expression of WFDC2, SLPI and elafin was studied by PCR in samples of primary alveolar epithelial pneumocytes (Type II cells) following treatment for 24 hours with LPS (2), TNFα (3) or IL-1β (4).