RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Effects of bile acids on human airway epithelial cells: implications for aerodigestive diseases JF ERJ Open Research JO erjor FD European Respiratory Society SP 00107-2016 DO 10.1183/23120541.00107-2016 VO 3 IS 1 A1 Aldhahrani, Adil A1 Verdon, Bernard A1 Ward, Chris A1 Pearson, Jeffery YR 2017 UL http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/3/1/00107-2016.abstract AB Gastro-oesophageal reflux and aspiration have been associated with chronic and end-stage lung disease and with allograft injury following lung transplantation. This raises the possibility that bile acids may cause lung injury by damaging airway epithelium. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bile acid challenge using the immortalised human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B).The immortalised human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) was cultured. A 48-h challenge evaluated the effect of individual primary and secondary bile acids. Post-challenge concentrations of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6 and granulocyte−macrophage colony-stimulating factor were measured using commercial ELISA kits. The viability of the BEAS-2B cells was measured using CellTiter-Blue and MTT assays.Lithocholic acid, deoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid were successfully used to stimulate cultured BEAS-2B cells at different concentrations. A concentration of lithocholic acid above 10 μmol·L−1 causes cell death, whereas deoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid above 30 μmol·L−1 was required for cell death. Challenge with bile acids at physiological levels also led to a significant increase in the release of IL-8 and IL6 from BEAS-2B.Aspiration of bile acids could potentially cause cell damage, cell death and inflammation in vivo. This is relevant to an integrated gastrointestinal and lung physiological paradigm of chronic lung disease, where reflux and aspiration are described in both chronic lung diseases and allograft injury.Bile acid exposure has a significant effect on cytokine production which could contribute to airway injury http://ow.ly/Jwfa309jRqu