Untargeted Metabolomics of Human Airway Epithelium Reveals Neuroactive Signatures Linked to Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Cell Enrichment and Allergen Exposure.

ABSTRACT: Background: Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNECs) are rare airway sensory cells implicated in amplifying allergic inflammation, yet due to their scarcity, the contribution of PNECs to the metabolic programs and responses of the airway epithelium remains poorly defined. Using a newly developed PNEC-enriched human airway epithelial model (ePNEC), we investigated the influence of PNECs on neuroendocrine and immune-modulatory metabolite production in response to the common aeroallergen of the house dust mite (HDM). Methods: Human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) and ePNEC cultures were differentiated at the air-liquid interface. Global untargeted metabolomics was performed to quantify metabolite abundance at baseline and following stimulation with HDMs. Differential expression

SUBMITTER: Mann-Nuttel R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12942826 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature