Decreased transepithelial Cl− transport may be a factor that contributes to the epithelial dysfunction by abrogating MCC and increasing mucus viscosity in CRS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Cl-channel transport properties from cultures of human sinonasal epithelia.
HSNE from patients undergoing sinus surgery were cultured at an air-liquid interface to confluence and full differentiation. Epithelial Na+ channel, CFTR, and Ca2+-activated Cl-channel transport were investigated among three different patient groups: Control, CRS, and CRS with polyposis. CFTR mRNA levels were evaluated with quantitative RT-PCR.
HSNE cultures from 18 patients were evaluated in 142 experiments. Summary data from the 18 patients demonstrated that stimulated CFTR-mediated anion transport (Δ ISC) was significantly lower with CRS compared to control and CRS with polyposis. No statistically significant difference was found for CaCC anion transport between groups. Significantly decreased mRNA was noted in CRS cultures.
The study concluded through its findings that a substantial decrease in the Cl− secretory capacity of HSNE monolayers was demonstrated in CRS subjects. Data suggest that CFTR may contribute more to abnormal ion transport in CRS than CaCC.
Reference: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1945892420930975
