Reversibility of Ultrastructural Changes of Cultured Human Nasal Epithelial Cells Induced by Tumor Necrosis Factor-α

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α can induce ultrastructural changes in cultured human nasal epithelial cells. The aims of this study are to determine the recovery time from the changes induced by TNF-α and observe whether various degrees of changes will result in a complete return to normal status. The recovery of cilia was observed on the third day after cessation of adding TNF-α and the normalization of secretory cell area was observed on the fifth day. The morphologic changes induced by TNF-α were reversible except with the concentration of 100 ng/ml. The results suggest that the ultrastructural changes induced by TNF-α are mostly reversible and that this reversibility corresponds with the in vivo state.