Anion selectivity of apical membrane conductance of Calu 3 human airway epithelium

Extracellular ATP applied to the luminal side of human airway epithelium (HAE) activates an apical membrane Cl- conductance and transepithelial Cl- secretion. However, in some HAE preparations, we have found that luminal ATP induces a change in short-circuit current (Isc), consistent with K+ secretion. Using intracellular microelectrodes and radioisotopic flux studies, we investigated whether extracellular ATP regulates transepithelial K+ secretion in primary HAE cultures. In physiological Ringer solution, HAE had a negligible electrochemical driving force for Cl- secretion (DFCl), and luminal ATP induced a change in Isc opposite in polarity to Cl- secretion. Intracellular microelectrode measurements indicated that the "reversed" Isc was associated with activation of a hyperpolarizing (K+) conductance in the apical membrane. Radioisotope studies of HAE pretreated with amiloride to induce a favorable DFCl revealed that luminal ATP stimulates a small 42K secretory flux concurrently with Cl- secretion. In ion-substituted Ringer solution, luminal ATP stimulated both the outward (K+) current and the inward (Cl-) current with approximately equal potency (approximately 10(-6) M). We conclude that luminal ATP activates an apical membrane K+ conductance and transepithelial K+ secretion across HAE.

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Somatic cell hemoglobin modulates nitrogen oxide metabolism in the human airway epithelium

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94782-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nadzeya Marozkina ◽

Laura Smith ◽

Yi Zhao ◽

Joe Zein ◽

James F. Chmiel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Nitrogen Oxides ◽

Airway Epithelium ◽

Airflow Obstruction ◽

Airway Epithelial Cells ◽

Airway Epithelial ◽

Human Airway ◽

Human Airway Epithelium ◽

Human Airway Epithelial Cells

AbstractEndothelial hemoglobin (Hb)α regulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) biochemistry. We hypothesized that Hb could also be expressed and biochemically active in the ciliated human airway epithelium. Primary human airway epithelial cells, cultured at air–liquid interface (ALI), were obtained by clinical airway brushings or from explanted lungs. Human airway Hb mRNA data were from publically available databases; or from RT-PCR. Hb proteins were identified by immunoprecipitation, immunoblot, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry. Viral vectors were used to alter Hbβ expression. Heme and nitrogen oxides were measured colorimetrically. Hb mRNA was expressed in human ciliated epithelial cells. Heme proteins (Hbα, β, and δ) were detected in ALI cultures by several methods. Higher levels of airway epithelial Hbβ gene expression were associated with lower FEV1 in asthma. Both Hbβ knockdown and overexpression affected cell morphology. Hbβ and eNOS were apically colocalized. Binding heme with CO decreased extracellular accumulation of nitrogen oxides. Human airway epithelial cells express Hb. Higher levels of Hbβ gene expression were associated with airflow obstruction. Hbβ and eNOS were colocalized in ciliated cells, and heme affected oxidation of the NOS product. Epithelial Hb expression may be relevant to human airways diseases.

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