Measurement of the epithelial barrier integrity in tracheal cell cultures exposed to irritant compounds.

A simple method has been developed to measure epithelial barrier alteration, in order to evaluate the irritant effect of inhaled compounds on the respiratory tract. In vitro primary cell cultures from rabbit tracheal epithelium were grown on permeable filters and used to study the effect of two pollutants-acrolein and parathion-on epithelial barrier integrity. The transepithelial potential difference and [(14)C]mannitol permeability were measured. Acrolein specifically injured the tight junctions and therefore increased transepithelial permeability. Parathion did not produce any alteration of the epithelial barrier but the results suggest alteration of ionic transport.