Characterization of primary canine nasal epithelial cells from brachycephalic dogs: an in-vitro cell model for disease and drug research

Brachycephalic dogs such as bulldogs, pugs and Boston terriers, are becoming very popular in recent years. Many of them develop brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), which severely reduces the dogs' quality of life. Respiratory distress is associated with chronic hypoxia, exercise intolerance, sleep apnoea and may even result in syncope. At present, treatment options for brachycephalic dogs are limited. Surgical intervention is the only alternative. The impact of the airway epithelium, which constitutes the first barrier between the airways and the external environment, on BOAS has yet to be elucidated. Understanding the role of the epithelium and how it can be targeted for new therapeutic approaches requires representative in vitro epithelial cell culture models. For this purpose, we established a method to isolate primary canine nasal epithelial cells (CNECs) and created an in vitro air-liquid interface (ALI) model of the canine nasal mucosa. The ALI cell culture condition permits the differentiation of primary cells into ciliated and goblet cells as well as the formation of a pseudostratified, polarised epithelium that reflects the nasal epithelium of brachycephalic dogs. The developed in vitro cell culture model is applicable to a range of purposes, including the identification of inflammatory mediators, co-cultivation and infection with viruses or bacteria and the assessment of drug efficacy and safety. Using our cell model, we can draw conclusions on the cellular level about the consequences and complications of breeding brachycephalic dogs. Thus, we hope to identify new approaches for the pharmacological therapy of brachycephalic dogs.

Publication History

Article published online:
18 March 2025