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Dynamic regulation of airway surface liquid pH by TMEM16A and SLC26A4 in cystic fibrosis nasal epithelia with rare mutations

Lookup NU author(s): Livia Delpiano, Matthew Burke, Dr Glyn NelsonORCiD, Dr Michael Gray

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by PNAS. In cystic fibrosis (CF), defects in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channel lead to an acidic airway surface liquid (ASL), which compromises innate defence mechanisms, predisposing to pulmonary failure. Restoring ASL pH is a potential therapy for people with CF, particularly for those who cannot benefit from current highly effective modulator therapy. However, we lack a comprehensive understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying ASL pH regulation. The calcium-activated chloride channel, TMEM16A, and the anion exchanger, SLC26A4, have been proposed as targets for restoring ASL pH, but current results are contradictory and often utilise nonphysiological conditions. To provide better evidence for a role of these two proteins in ASL pH homeostasis, we developed an efficient CRISPR-Cas9-based approach to knock-out (KO) relevant transporters in primary airway basal cells lacking CFTR and then measured dynamic changes in ASL pH under thin-film conditions in fully differentiated airway cultures, which better simulate the in vivo situation. Unexpectantly, we found that both proteins regulated steady-state as well as agonist-stimulated ASL pH, but only under inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, we identified two Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs which raised ASL pH by activating SLC26A4. While we identified a role for SLC26A4 in fluid absorption, KO had no effect on cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-stimulated fluid secretion in airway organoids. Overall, we have identified a role of TMEM16A in ASL pH homeostasis and shown that both TMEM16A and SLC26A4 could be important alternative targets for ASL pH therapy in CF, particularly for those people who do not produce any functional CFTR.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Delpiano L, Rodenburg LW, Burke M, Nelson G, Amatngalim GD, Beekman JM, Gray MA

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Year: 2023

Volume: 120

Issue: 47

Online publication date: 15/11/2023

Acceptance date: 28/09/2023

Date deposited: 25/01/2024

ISSN (print): 0027-8424

ISSN (electronic): 1091-6490

Publisher: National Academy of Sciences

URL: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2307551120

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307551120

Data Access Statement: All data generated during this research are openly available at https://doi.org/10.25405/data.ncl.24085257.v1 (54). All other data are included in the manuscript and/or SI Appendix.

PubMed id: 37967223


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
Dutch CF Foundation
CF Trust, UK
Health Holland
LSHM18062
SRC013

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