Figure 1

The mucociliary epithelium of amphibian embryos is structurally and physiologically similar to human airway epithelium. (A) The embryonic epithelium of Xenopus laevis was visualized by fluorescent imaging analysis. Goblet cells were stained with WGA-Alexa 488 and multi-cilia were stained with anti-acetylated tubulin antibody. (B) The embryonic epithelium of Bombina orientalis was visualized by the same protocol. (C) Bicuculline reversibly inhibited mucus secretion from the goblet cells of X. laevis and B. orientalis embryonic epithelium. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA. From left to right, n = 57, 42, 39, 17, 5, 8. (D) Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate increased mucus secretion from the goblet cells of X. laevis and B. orientalis embryonic epithelium. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test. From left to right, n = 57, 42, 17, 18. (E) Narasin inhibited mucus secretion from X. laevis and B. orientalis embryonic epithelium. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test. From left to right, n = 57, 42, 17, 18. Asterisks represent: ***(p < 0.001), **(0.001 < p < 0.01), *(0.01 < p < 0.05), ns (0.05 < p).