The amiloride-inhibitable Na+ conductance is reduced by the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in normal but not in cystic fibrosis airways.
Cystic fibrosis ( CF) airway cells, besides their well-known defect in cAMP-dependent Cl- conductance, are characterized by an enhanced Na+ conductance. In this study we have examined the Na+ conductance in human respiratory tract by measuring transepithelial voltage and resistance (Vte, Rte) and by assessing membrane voltages (Vm) of freshly isolated airway epithelial cells from CF and non- CF patients. Basal amiloride inhibitable (10 micromol/liter) equivalent short circuit current (Isc = Vte/Rte) was significantly increased in CF compared with non- CF tissues. After stimulation by forskolin (10 micromol/liter) a significant depolarization of Vm corresponding to the cAMP-dependent activation of a Cl- conductance was observed in non- CF but not in CF airway cells. In non- CF tissue but not in CF tissue the effects of amiloride and N-methyl-D-glucamine on Vm were attenuated in the presence of forskolin. Also the amiloride-inhibitable Isc was significantly reduced by forskolin (1 micromol/liter) and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX; 100 micromol/liter) only in non- CF tissue. We conclude that cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator acts as a downregulator of epithelial Na+ channels in human airways. This downregulation of epithelial Na+ channels is absent in CF airways, leading to hyperabsorption and to the characteristic increase in mucus viscosity.[1]References
- The amiloride-inhibitable Na+ conductance is reduced by the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in normal but not in cystic fibrosis airways. Mall, M., Bleich, M., Greger, R., Schreiber, R., Kunzelmann, K. J. Clin. Invest. (1998) [Pubmed]
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