Assessment of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) activity in CFTR-null mice after bone marrow transplantation

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Feb 21;103(8):2965-70. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0510758103. Epub 2006 Feb 15.

Abstract

Several studies have demonstrated that bone marrow (BM)-derived cells give rise to rare epithelial cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) and respiratory tracts after BM transplantation into myeloablated recipients. We investigate whether, after transplantation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-positive BM-derived cells, BM-derived GI and airway epithelial cells can provide CFTR activity in the GI tract and nasal epithelium of recipient cystic fibrosis mice. CFTR-/- mice were transplanted with wild-type BM after receiving different doses of irradiation, and CFTR activity was assessed in vivo in individual mice over time by using rectal and nasal potential difference analyses and in vitro by Ussing chamber analysis. The data suggest that rare BM-derived epithelial cells in the GI and nasal epithelium detected in CFTR-/- transplanted mice provide a modest level of CFTR-dependent chloride secretion. Detection of CFTR mRNA and protein in tissues of transplanted CFTR-/- mice supports these data.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation*
  • Cystic Fibrosis / therapy*
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / analysis*
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / genetics
  • Gastric Mucosa / chemistry
  • Genetic Therapy*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred CFTR
  • Nasal Mucosa / chemistry
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator