title: Evidence that Calu-3 human airway cells secrete bicarbonate.
abstract: The Calu-3 cell line is being investigated as a model for human submucosal gland serous cells. In a previous investigation of basal short-circuit current (Isc) in Calu-3 cells, high levels of bumetanide-insensitive basal Isc (approximately 60 microA/cm2) were measured in cells grown at an air interface. Basal Isc was reduced only 7% by bumetanide, and the largest component of basal Isc required both Cl- and HCO3- in the bathing solutions. Because Isc could be partially inhibited by basolateral 4,4'-dinitrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid and because the only known apical exit pathway for anions is the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, which has a relatively poor conductance for HCO3-, it was concluded that most basal Isc is HCO3(-)-dependent Cl- secretion [M. Singh, M. Krouse, S. Moon, and J. J. Wine. Am. J. Physiol. 272 (Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 16): L690-L698, 1997]. We have now measured isotopic fluxes of 36Cl- and 22Na+ across short-circuited Calu-3 cells and found that virtually none of the basal Isc is Cl- secretion or Na+ absorption. Thus, in contrast to the earlier report, we conclude that the major component of basal Isc is HCO3- secretion. Stimulation recruits primarily Cl- secretion, as previously proposed.
authors.affiliation: Cystic Fibrosis Research Laboratory, Stanford University, California 94305-2130, USA.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Penland
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Widdicombe
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Wine
mesh_terms: D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012704:Serous Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates; D002712:Chlorides; D007473:Ion Channels; D012964:Sodium