Modulation of Ca2+-activated Cl- secretion by basolateral K+ channels in human normal and cystic fibrosis airway epithelia

Pediatr Res. 2003 Apr;53(4):608-18. doi: 10.1203/01.PDR.0000057204.51420.DC. Epub 2003 Feb 5.

Abstract

Human airway epithelia express Ca2+-activated Cl- channels (CaCC) that are activated by extracellular nucleotides (ATP and UTP). CaCC is preserved and seems to be up-regulated in the airways of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. In the present study, we examined the role of basolateral K+ channels in CaCC-mediated Cl- secretion in native nasal tissues from normal individuals and CF patients by measuring ion transport in perfused micro Ussing chambers. In the presence of amiloride, UTP-mediated peak secretory responses were increased in CF compared with normal nasal tissues. Activation of the cAMP pathway further increased CaCC-mediated secretion in CF but not in normal nasal mucosa. CaCC-dependent ion transport was inhibited by the chromanol 293B, an inhibitor of cAMP-activated hKvLQT1 K+ channels, and by clotrimazole, an inhibitor of Ca2+-activated hSK4 K+ channels. The K+ channel opener 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone further increased CaCC-mediated Cl- secretion in normal and CF tissues. Expression of hSK4 as well as hCACC-2 and hCACC-3 but not hCACC-1 was demonstrated by reverse transcriptase PCR on native nasal tissues. We conclude that Ca2+-activated Cl- secretion in native human airway epithelia requires activation of Ca2+-dependent basolateral K+ channels (hSK4). Co-activation of hKvLQT1 improves CaCC-mediated Cl- secretion in native CF airway epithelia, and may have a therapeutic effect in the treatment of CF lung disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biological Transport / drug effects
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chloride Channels / genetics
  • Chloride Channels / metabolism*
  • Chlorides / metabolism*
  • Chromans / pharmacology
  • Clotrimazole / pharmacology
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cystic Fibrosis / metabolism*
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression / physiology
  • Growth Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Intermediate-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels
  • KCNQ Potassium Channels
  • KCNQ1 Potassium Channel
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasal Mucosa / metabolism*
  • Potassium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Potassium Channels / genetics
  • Potassium Channels / metabolism*
  • Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated*
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated*
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology
  • Uridine Triphosphate / pharmacology

Substances

  • CFTR protein, human
  • Chloride Channels
  • Chlorides
  • Chromans
  • Growth Inhibitors
  • Intermediate-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels
  • KCNN4 protein, human
  • KCNQ Potassium Channels
  • KCNQ1 Potassium Channel
  • KCNQ1 protein, human
  • Potassium Channel Blockers
  • Potassium Channels
  • Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated
  • Sulfonamides
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator
  • 6-cyano-4-(N-ethylsulfonyl-N-methylamino)-3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylchromane
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Clotrimazole
  • Calcium
  • Uridine Triphosphate