Dome formation in primary cultured monolayers of alveolar epithelial cells

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Abstract
We have observed the formation of domes by type II alveolar epithelial cells harvested from rat lungs. The cells were harvested using elastase and grew to confluence in 3-4 days after plating on plastic. Numerous domes were observed in the monolayers 4-18 days after plating, with peak dome density occurring at days 6-9. When trypsin was used instead of elastase as the harvesting enzyme, many fewer domes were formed by the monolayers, with peak dome density observed at day 5 and no domes seen after 8 days. The life span of an individual dome was about 3-4 h. The presence of domes indicates an intact active transport function of the cells in the monolayer, which may represent an important mechanism for the maintenance of fluid-free air spaces and normal alveolar fluid balance in mammalian lungs in vivo.

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