“…Numerous studies have demonstrated that A. fumigatus conidia are readily internalised by AECs in vitro, with both alveolar and bronchial epithelial cells internalising 30–50% of the conidia they encounter [ 17 , 31 , 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 , 129 ]. In vitro A. fumigatus uptake by AECs is a time-dependent process, which increases proportionally with longer co-incubations or a higher multiplicity of infections [ 17 , 126 , 128 ]. AECs exert antifungal activity, with intracellular conidia showing impaired germination relative to extracellular conidia [ 17 , 126 ].…”