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Toxicity of different biodiesel exhausts in primary human airway epithelial cells grown at air-liquid interfaceBiodiesel is created through the transesterification of fats/oils and its usage is increasing worldwide as global warming concerns increase. Biodiesel fuel properties change depending on the feedstock used to create it.
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ACE2 expression is elevated in airway epithelial cells from older and male healthy individuals but reduced in asthmaCOVID-19 is complicated by acute lung injury, and death in some individuals. It is caused by SARS-CoV-2 that requires the ACE2 receptor and serine proteases to enter AEC. We determined what factors are associated with ACE2 expression particularly in patients with asthma and COPD. We obtained lower AEC from 145 people from two independent cohorts, aged 2-89 years, Newcastle (n = 115) and Perth (n = 30), Australia. The Newcastle cohort was enriched with people with asthma (n = 37) and COPD (n = 38). Gene expression for ACE2 and other genes potentially associated with SARS-CoV-2 cell entry was assessed by qPCR, and protein expression was confirmed with immunohistochemistry on endobronchial biopsies and cultured AEC.
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Vulnerable from the first breath - epithelial dysfunction and respiratory outcomes in childrenWe have been studying the importance of the epithelial cells lining the airways in the nose and lungs.
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Early life rhinovirus infection exacerbates house-dust-mite induced lung disease more severely in female miceEarly life rhinovirus infection influences the development of house-dust-mite induced lung disease in female, but not male mice
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Alpha-1 antitrypsin mitigates the inhibition of airway epithelial cell repair by neutrophil elastaseFree NE activity is deleterious for epithelial homeostasis and support the hypothesis that proteases in the airway contribute to CF structural lung disease
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Biodiesel exhaust-induced cytotoxicity and proinflammatory mediator production in human airway epithelial cellsOur results show that canola biodiesel exhaust exposure elicits inflammation and reduces viability of human epithelial cell cultures in vitro when compared...
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A tonsil organ model to evaluate carriage, disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions for the treatment and prevention of Group A Streptococcus infectionsAnthony Tim Kicic Barnett BSc (Hons) PhD PhD Rothwell Family Fellow; Head, Airway Epithelial Research Head, Strep A Pathogenesis and Diagnostics

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Regional Differences in Susceptibiity of Bronchial Epithelium to Mesenchymal Transition and Inhibition by the Macrolide Antibiotic AzithromycinDysregulated repair following epithelial injury is a key forerunner of disease in many organs, and the acquisition of a mesenchymal phenotype by the injured...
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DNA Methylation Profiles of Airway Epithelial Cells and PBMCs from Healthy, Atopic and Asthmatic ChildrenAllergic inflammation is commonly observed in a number of conditions that are associated with atopy including asthma, eczema and rhinitis.