Influence of culture duration and ciliogenesis on the relationship between ciliary beat frequency and temperature in nasal epithelial cells.

Human nasal epithelial cells from excised mucosal specimens were cultured directly in suspension and sequentially on monolayer and in suspension. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was measured by fast Fourier transform analysis of computerized microscopic photometry. In biopsy material CBF increased in an approximately linear fashion at 0.6 Hz/degree C between 20 degrees C and 35 degrees C. Above 35 degrees C the increase was lower and was 0.25 Hz/degree C between 40 degrees C and 44 degrees C. CBF increased more rapidly in suspension culture between 25 and 35 degrees C (1 Hz/degree C) but reached a plateau at approximately 40 degrees C and decreased with further temperature elevation. Up to 44 degrees C all changes were reversible, while irreversible slowing and deterioration occurred above 45 degrees C. Values found after 3 weeks' initial suspension culture were similar to those after 6 weeks' sequential monolayer suspension culture. After 3 weeks of ciliogenesis in sequential suspension culture, all values up to 41 degrees C were statistically significantly higher than those under the other conditions. Ciliary activity was maintained and expressed in culture. CBF was higher than in biopsy material and a reversible decrease was observed at high temperature.