Our group has developed his research interest in the function of the respiratory epithelium of the airways (nasal and bronchial). We are using primary culture of bronchial or nasal epithelial cells that are maintained on porous filters with an air-fluid interface. The barrier function of this tight epithelium has been studied as well as trans-epithelial ion transport. We have been particularly interested in the effects of amphotericin B and of N-acetyl-cystein two drugs that are commonly used in the treatment of airways diseases. More recently we focused on the neurogenic inflammation of the airways. We demonstrated the presence of DPP-IV in the nasal epithelium, an important enzyme for the degradation of neuropeptides. We also found that the nasal epithelium is producing brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF which suggests cross¿talking between epithelial cells and nervous endings of the respiratory mucosa, an important and new aspect of neurogenic inflammation. This research is done in closed collaboration with Prof. Silvain Lacroix, Rhinology Unit, Service of Oto-rhinolaryngology, NEUCLID Department.