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Background: Primary human airway epithelial cells cultured in an air-liquid interface (ALI) develop a well-differentiated epithelium. However, neither characterization of mucociliar differentiation overtime nor the inflammatory function of reconstituted nasal polyp (NP) epithelia have been described. Objectives: 1st) To develop and characterize the mucociliar differentiation overtime of human epithelial cells of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in ALI culture system; 2nd) To corroborate that 3D in vitro model of NP reconstituted epithelium maintains, compared to control nasal mucosa (NM), an inflammatory function. Methods: Epithelial cells were obtained from 9 NP and 7 control NM, and differentiated in ALI culture for 28 days. Mucociliary differentiation was characterized at different times (0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days) using ultrastructure analysis by electron microscopy; ΔNp63 (basal stem/progenitor cell), β-tubulin IV (cilia), and MUC5AC (goblet cell) expression by immunocytochemistry; and mucous (MUC5AC, MUC5B) and serous (Lactoferrin) secretion by ELISA. Inflammatory function of ALI cultures (at days 0, 14, and 28) through cytokine (IL-8, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and IL-12p70) and chemokine (RANTES, MIG, MCP-1, IP-10, eotaxin-1, and GM-CSF) production was analysed by CBA (Cytometric Bead Array). Results: In both NP and control NM ALI cultures, pseudostratified epithelium with ciliated, mucus-secreting, and basal cells were observed by electron microscopy at days 14 and 28. Displaying epithelial cell re-differentation, β-tubulin IV and MUC5AC positive cells increased, while ΔNp63 positive cells decreased overtime. No significant differences were found overtime in MUC5AC, MUC5B, and lactoferrin secretions between both ALI cultures. IL-8 and GM-CSF were significantly increased in NP compared to control NM regenerated epithelia. Conclusion: Reconstituted epithelia from human NP epithelial cells cultured in ALI system provides a 3D in vitro model that could be useful both for studying the role of epithelium in CRSwNP while developing new therapeutic strategies, including cell therapy, for CRSwNP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The goal of the present article was to describe our dissection training system applied to a variety of endoscopic endonasal approaches. It allows one to perform a 3D virtual dissection of the desired approach and to analyze and quantify critical surgical measurements. Methods: All the human cadaveric heads were dissected at the Laboratory of Surgical Neuro-Anatomy (LSNA) of the University of Barcelona (Spain). The model surgical training protocol was designed as follows: 1) virtual dissection of the selected approach using our dissection training 3D model; 2) preliminary exploration of each specimen using a second 3D model based on a preoperative computed tomographic scan; 3) cadaveric anatomic dissection with the aid of a neuronavigation system; and 4) quantification and analysis of the collected data. Results: The virtual dissection of the selected approach, preliminary exploration of each specimen, a real laboratory dissection experience, and finally, the analysis of data retrieved during the dissection step was a complete method for training manual dexterity and hand–eye coordination and to improve the general knowledge of surgical approaches. Conclusions: The present model results are found to be effective, providing a valuable representation of the surgical anatomy as well as a 3D visual feedback, thus improving study, design, and execution in a variety of approaches. Such a system can also be developed as a preoperative planning tool that will allow the neurosurgeon to practice and manipulate 3D representations of the critical anatomic landmarks involved in the endoscopic endonasal approaches to the skull base. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]