Abstract

Patients suffering from respiratory disease (e.g., cystic fibrosis) often display debilitating obstruction of the small airways. The complex architecture of the lungs has hampered efforts to characterize function in this region of the lungs. The long-term goal of the principal investigator is to develop systems for studying small airway function and subsequently characterize the defense mechanism in this region of the lungs. One objective of this project is to improve techniques for isolating and culturing small airway epithelial cells, making the preparations suitable for in vitro studies of small airway epithelial function. Monoclonal antibodies to cell surface antigens will be produced and used to purify cells by fluorescence activated cell sorting and cell- affinity chromatography. The yield and functional quality of cultures will improved by developing serum-free hormone- supplemented media. These techniques will subsequently be used to study salt and water balance across sheets of rabbit, dog, and human small airway epithelial cells in culture. Transepithelial ion fluxes will be measured using radioisotopes, electrochemical driving forces will be determined using microelectrodes, and mechanism which control ion transport processes will be investigated.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
7R01HL040367-04
Application #
3357518
Study Section
Pathology A Study Section (PTHA)
Project Start
1991-04-01
Project End
1993-03-31
Budget Start
1991-04-01
Budget End
1992-03-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
East Carolina University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Greenville
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27858

  Publications

Chinet, T C; Gabriel, S E; Penland, C M et al. (1997) CFTR-like chloride channels in non-ciliated bronchiolar epithelial (Clara) cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 230:470-5
Van Scott, M R; Penland, C M; Welch, C A et al. (1995) Beta-adrenergic regulation of Cl- and HCO3- secretion by Clara cells. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 13:344-51
Van Scott, M R; Chinet, T C; Burnette, A D et al. (1995) Purinergic regulation of ion transport across nonciliated bronchiolar epithelial (Clara) cells. Am J Physiol 269:L30-7
Van Scott, M R; Paradiso, A M (1992) Intracellular Ca2+ and regulation of ion transport across rabbit Clara cells. Am J Physiol 263:L122-7
Van Scott, M R; McIntire, M R; Henke, D C (1990) Arachidonic acid metabolism and regulation of ion transport in rabbit Clara cells. Am J Physiol 259:L213-21