Modulation of mucociliary function by drugs and other agents

Abstract

Mucociliary clearance (MCC) is a major function of the airway epithelium, which depends on the activity of the cilia and on the physicochemical properties of airway mucus. The latter is discussed extensively in other chapters in this book. This chapter deals with the effects of drugs and other agents on cilia. Since the interaction between cilia and mucus is complex, it is not always possible to differentiate between effects on cilia and mucus. Where studies are carried out on ciliated epithelium in vitro, effects of mucus can be largely excluded. While this allows study of the effects of drugs or agents on cilia in isolation, it also introduces the problem that cilia may behave differently ..