asthma and airway inflammation

Respiratory assays

Advance Asthma and Airway Inflammation Research with a trusted Respiratory CRO

Asthma and Airway Inflammation continue to represent key drivers of chronic respiratory disease. Millions of people around the world live with it, and drug discovery has proven difficult. Development of biologically relevant preclinical models that recapitulate human disease is a requisite due to the intricate interactions between airway epithelial cells, immune cells, inflammatory mediators, and airway smooth muscle.

Cellomatics Biosciences offers specialised Respiratory CRO services that provide innovative in vitro models to facilitate early-stage respiratory drug development by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. We have established human-relevant assay platforms that allow researchers to study inflammatory signalling, airway remodelling, bronchial hyper responsiveness and therapeutic responses with reliability.

Human-relevant Models for Asthma and Airway Inflammation

At the core of our Asthma and Airway Inflammation platforms, we have physiologically relevant airway and immune cell systems to model specific mechanisms of disease. This model enables the testing of novel therapeutics targeting inflammatory pathways, while producing strong and reproducible data for target confirmation, hit identification or lead optimisation.

Our capabilities include:

Human airway epithelial and smooth muscle cell models
Co-culture systems incorporating immune cells
Cytokine and chemokine profiling
Airway remodelling and contractility assays
High-content imaging and biomarker analysis
Flexible assay customisation for specific research objectives

These advanced systems help improve translational relevance and reduce development risk during respiratory drug discovery.

Why partner with our Respiratory CRO?

As an experienced Respiratory CRO, Cellomatics Biosciences delivers tailored research solutions that align with your programme goals. Our scientists work closely with clients to develop custom study designs. This delivers rapid turnaround times, high-quality data, and scientific expertise across every stage of preclinical development.

These respiratory services support decision-making and fast-track your discovery towards clinical success. It doesn’t matter if you are exploring new mechanisms in Asthma and Airway Inflammation or evaluating promising therapeutic candidates. Scalable screening platforms, validated human-relevant models, and collaborative project management make Cellomatics your trustworthy partner for respiratory drug discovery.

Expression levels of contractile-related genes

Contractile gene expression is altered in HBSMCs following epithelial/immune co-culture.

HBSMCs were cultured alone or co-cultured with BEAS-2B (apical Poly I:C) and/or PBMCs (basolateral LPS) for 48 hours; ACTA2, CNN1, and MYLK were quantified by qPCR (n=3). (Stats: one-way ANOVA; n as stated; mean ± SEM; *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001)

Cytokine expression from basal chamber

Basal cytokines in BEAS-2B/HBSMC/PBMC co-culture.

HBSMCs ± BEAS-2B (Poly I:C apical) ± PBMCs (LPS basolateral) cultured for 48 hours; basal supernatant Luminex, n=3. (Stats: one-way ANOVA; n as stated; mean ± SEM; *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001)

Cytokine expression from apical chamber

Apical cytokines in BEAS-2B/HBSMC/PBMC co-culture.

HBSMCs ± BEAS-2B (Poly I:C apical) ± PBMCs (LPS basolateral) cultured for 48 hours; apical supernatant Luminex, n=3. (Stats: one-way ANOVA; n as stated; mean ± SEM; *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001)

Cytokine expression with TNF-alpha stimulation

Effect of TNF-α and Hydrocortisone on the release of inflammatory mediators by Primary Human Lung Fibroblasts.

Cells were treated with either TNF-α or TNF-α plus Hydrocortisone for 48 hours. The levels of α-SMA, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, HMGB-1, MMP-1, and PAI-1 released in the supernatants was measured by Luminex assay. One-way ANOVA was performed to determine statistical significance (n=3±SEM; *p<0.05;**p<0.01; ***p <0.001).

Cytokine expression with LPS stimulation

LPS increases IL-6 and IL-8 release in primary human lung fibroblasts.

Primary human lung fibroblasts were treated with LPS for 24 hours in the presence or absence of hydrocortisone; IL-6 and IL-8 measured by ELISA (n=5) (Stats: one-way ANOVA; n as stated; mean ± SEM; *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001)

Airway epithelial-driven allergic airway inflammation

Dexamethasone attenuates IL-1β-driven inflammatory cytokine release in BEAS-2B cells.

BEAS-2B cells were stimulated with IL-1β and treated with Dexamethasone for 48 hours; inflammatory markers in culture supernatants were quantified by Luminex assay (Stats: one-way ANOVA; n as stated; mean ± SEM; *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001; ND=not detected)

Cytokine release with Poly I:C stimulation

PDE4 inhibition reduces Poly I:C–induced IL-6 and IL-8 release in primary human airway smooth muscle cells.

Primary human airway smooth muscle cells were pre-treated with a PDE4 inhibitor and stimulated with Poly I:C for 24 h; IL-6 and IL-8 in supernatants were measured by ELISA (n=3). (Stats: one-way ANOVA; n as stated; mean ± SEM; *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001)

Cytokine release with Poly I:C stimulation

Poly I:C drives cytokine release from HASMCs and is reduced by TLR3 antagonism.

Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells (HASMCs) were pretreated with a TLR3 antagonist then stimulated with Poly I:C; supernatants were analysed by Luminex Assay for a panel of cytokines including Eotaxin (n=3). (Stats: one-way ANOVA; n as stated; mean ± SEM; *p<0.05,**p<0.01, ***p<0.001)

Collagen Gel contraction

2,3-BDM reduces collagen gel contraction in airway smooth muscle cells.

Collagen gels with primary human airway smooth muscle cells were pre-treated with 2,3-BDM, stimulated with carbachol for 4 hours, and contraction was quantified as % change vs time 0 (n=3) (Stats: one-way ANOVA; n as stated; mean ± SEM; *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001)

These studies of asthma and airway inflammation provide valuable insights into immune responses, tissue remodelling, and respiratory function.

Request a consultation with Cellomatics Biosciences today

Cellomatics offers customised services for asthma and airway inflammation to support drug discovery and translational research programmes. Our experienced team of in vitro laboratory scientists will work with you to understand your project and provide a bespoke project plan with a professional, flexible service and a fast turnaround time.

To request a consultation where we can discuss your exact requirements, please contact Cellomatics Biosciences.