Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by a nonfunctional chloride and bicarbonate ion channel (CF transmembrane regulator [CFTR]), but the link to the phenomenon of stagnant mucus is not well understood. Mice lacking functional CFTR (CftrΔ508) have no lung phenotype but show similar ileal problems to humans. We show that the ileal mucosa in CF have a mucus that adhered to the epithelium, was denser, and was less penetrable than that of wild-type mice. The properties of the ileal mucus of CF mice were normalized by secretion into a high concentration sodium bicarbonate buffer (~100 mM). In addition, bicarbonate added to already formed CF mucus almost completely restored the mucus properties. This knowledge may provide novel therapeutic options for CF.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Bicarbonates / pharmacology*
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Cystic Fibrosis / genetics
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Cystic Fibrosis / metabolism*
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Cystic Fibrosis / pathology
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Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / genetics
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Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / metabolism*
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Epithelium / drug effects
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Epithelium / metabolism
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Epithelium / pathology
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Female
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Ileum / drug effects
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Ileum / metabolism
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Ileum / ultrastructure
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Immunohistochemistry
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In Vitro Techniques
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Intestinal Mucosa / drug effects*
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Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
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Intestinal Mucosa / ultrastructure
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Intestine, Small / drug effects
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Intestine, Small / metabolism
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Intestine, Small / pathology
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Male
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Knockout
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Microscopy, Confocal
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Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
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Mucins / metabolism*
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Mucus / drug effects
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Mucus / metabolism
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Phenotype
Substances
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Bicarbonates
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Mucins
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Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator