To the Editor:

The structure and composition of the bronchial epithelium is altered in respiratory diseases such as COPD and asthma, in which goblet cell hyperplasia and reduced numbers of ciliated cells impair mucociliary clearance. Current standard of care focuses on alleviating disease symptoms, such as airway obstruction and inflammation, using bronchodilators or steroids, respectively. Whilst these approaches are effective, they do not address the underlying pathogenic processes.