Behavior of Explants from Human Adult Bronchial Epithelium in vitro.

Abstract

Explants of bronchial epithelium were made from 119 adult human lungs removed by operation. Bronchial epithelium taken from patients with carcinoma of the lung grew more often in primary explants than analogous epithelium from tuberculous patients or from patients with bron-chiectasis or unresolved pneumonia. Two explants, both derived from cases of carcinoma of the lung, gave rise to permanent strains. The histological appearance of the bronchial epithelium of the donor, even in a segment immediately distal from the explant, did not give an indication as to the growth expected in the explants.