AUTHOR=Jory Myriam , Bellouma Karim , Blanc Christophe , Casanellas Laura , Petit Aurélie , Reynaud Paul , Vernisse Charlotte , Vachier Isabelle , Bourdin Arnaud , Massiera Gladys 

TITLE=Mucus Microrheology Measured on Human Bronchial Epithelium Culture

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physics

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physics/articles/10.3389/fphy.2019.00019

DOI=10.3389/fphy.2019.00019

ISSN=2296-424X

ABSTRACT=<p>We describe an original method to measure mucus microrheology on human bronchial epithelium culture using optical tweezers. We probed rheology on the whole thickness of mucus above the epithelium and showed that mucus gradually varies in rheological response, from an elastic behavior close to the epithelium to a viscous one far away. Microrheology was also performed on mucus collected on the culture, on <italic>ex vivo</italic> mucus collected by bronchoscopy, and on another epithelium model. Differences are discussed and are related to mucus heterogeneity, adhesiveness, and collection method.</p>