Transepithelial ion transport is suppressed in hypoxic sinonasal epithelium.
OBJECTIVE
Sinonasal respiratory epithelial mucociliary clearance is dependent on the transepithelial transport of ions such as Cl(-) . The objectives of the present study were to investigate the role of oxygen restriction in 1) Cl(-)  transport across primary sinonasal epithelial monolayers, 2) expression of the apical Cl(-)  channels cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and transmembrane protein 16A (TMEM16A), and 3) the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis.


METHODS
In vitro investigation.


METHODS
Murine nasal septal epithelial (MNSE), wild type, and human sinonasal epithelial (HSNE) cultures were incubated under hypoxic conditions (1% O(2) , 5% CO(2) ). Cultures were mounted in Ussing chambers for ion transport measurements. CFTR and TMEM16A expression were measured using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
The change in short-circuit current (ΔI(SC)  in microamperes per square centimeter) attributable to CFTR (forskolin-stimulated) was significantly decreased due to a 12-hour hypoxia exposure in both MNSE (13.55 ± 0.46 vs. 19.23 ± 0.18) and HSNE (19.55 ± 0.56 vs. 25.49 ± 1.48 [control]; P < .05). TMEM16A (uridine triphosphate-stimulated transport) was inhibited by 48 hours of hypoxic exposure in MNSE (15.92 ± 2.87 vs. 51.44 ± 3.71 [control]; P < .05) and by 12 hours of hypoxic exposure in HSNE (16.75 ± 0.68 vs. 24.15 ± 1.35 [control]). Quantitative RT-PCR (reported as relative mRNA levels ± standard deviation) demonstrated significant reductions in both CFTR and TMEM16A mRNA expression in MNSE and HSNE owing to airway epithelial hypoxia.


CONCLUSIONS
Sinonasal epithelial CFTR and TMEM16A-mediated Cl(-)  transport and mRNA expression were robustly decreased in an oxygen-restricted environment. These findings indicate that persistent hypoxia may lead to acquired defects in sinonasal Cl(-)  transport in a fashion likely to confer mucociliary dysfunction in chronic rhinosinusitis.
Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
Angela
A
Blount
Shaoyan
S
Zhang
Michael
M
Chestnut
Brian
B
Hixon
Daniel
D
Skinner
Eric J
EJ
Sorscher
Bradford A
BA
Woodworth
D000818:Animals; D000075369:Anoctamin-1; D001693:Biological Transport, Active / Q000502:physiology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D018118:Chloride Channels; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000502:physiology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
C476213:ANO1 protein, human; D000075369:Anoctamin-1; D018118:Chloride Channels; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator