Air-liquid interface (ALI)

The Air-liquid interface (ALI) is an experimental cell culture configuration rather than a specific molecular target or receptor. In this system, epithelial cells are cultured on a porous membrane where the basal surface is submerged in nutrient media and the apical surface is exposed to the atmosphere, mimicking the physiological environment of the human respiratory tract [1]. This physical arrangement induces cells to undergo mucociliary differentiation, resulting in a pseudostratified epithelium containing specialized cell types such as ciliated cells, mucus-secreting goblet cells, and basal cells [2]. ALI models serve as a critical bridge between standard in vitro cell cultures and in vivo animal models, particularly for studying respiratory pathologies like asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis [3]. While ALI is a gold-standard platform for evaluating the transport, metabolism, and toxicity of inhaled drugs, it does not possess molecular classifications or drug-binding sites typical of therapeutic targets.

Other names

ALI cultureAir-liquid interface modelBiphasic culture systemAir-lifted culture

Not applicable; the air-liquid interface is a methodological setup for cell culture and not a protein, enzyme, or receptor target for drug binding.