Nasal epithelial cells to assess in vitro immune responses to respiratory virus infection in pregnant women with asthma.

Respiratory virus-induced asthma exacerbations occur frequently during pregnancy and are associated with adverse outcomes for mother and child. Primary nasal epithelial cells (pNECs) provide a useful method to study immune responses in pregnancy. pNECs were obtained by nasal brushings from pregnant and non-pregnant women with and without asthma. pNECS were infected in vitro with major group Rhinovirus 43 (RV43) and seasonal influenza (H3N2). Following infection, pNECs showed measurable quantities of interferon (IFN)-λ, IL-1ß, IL-8, IP-10 and MIP1-α. pNECs provide a safe and effective method for studying respiratory epithelial cell responses during pregnancy.