Fig. 5From: Bei Mu Gua Lou San facilitates mucus expectoration by increasing surface area and hydration levels of airway mucus in an air-liquid-interface cell culture model of the respiratory epitheliumTEM reveals dispensed reticular appearance of IES content. NHBE ALI cultures were treated with BMGLS at different concentrations and processed for TEM. (A) Samples treated with HCS (0.6%, v/v) show goblet cells with apical microvilli and mucosal granules of reticular appearance, and amorphous electron-dense content (D1). (B) 0.3% BMGLS (v/v) induces IES formation (#) with internal cilia (c, close-up view) and goblet cells (*) with decreased electron density (D2). (C) Merging of electron- lucent vesicles with mucus granules in 0.6% BMGLS (v/v) treated samples (close-up view) substantially decreases electron density in the granular content (D3). Scale bars, 5 μm in A-C, and 1 μm in D1-D3.Back to article page