Effect of Rhinovirus-16 Infection on the Electrophysiological Property of Cultured Tracheal Epithelial Cells

Jang, Yong Ju; Widdicombe, Jonathan H

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Rhinovirus infection on the airway epithelial cells results in derangement in mucociliary clearance. However, the contribution of altered ion transport across the epithelial cells in rhinovirus-induced alteration in mucociliary clearance has not been studied yet. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effect of rhinovirus infection on the electrical property of airway epithelial cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tracheal mucosae were harvested and digested with protease. The epithelial cells thus obtained were cultured in air-liquid interface method. Rhinvovirus-16s were infected for 1 hour on the epithelial cells and cultured for 48 hours thereafter. Transepithelial resistance was measured by a chopstick voltmeter and short circuit current was measured by Ussing chamber technique. The electrical properties of control and infection groups were compared. RESULTS: The change in the transepithelial resistance in the control group was 240 ohm.cm2, while it was 263 ohm.cm2 in the RV infected epithelium. The baseline short circuit current was 6.3 microEq.cm-2.h-1 in the control group and 7.2 microEq.cm-2.h-1 in the RV infected group. The difference was not significant. Change in short circuit current induced by mucosally applied amiloride and foskolin were not different significantly in both groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that rhinovirus infection in the airway epithelial cells does not affect the electrical property, which reflects the function of ion channels in the epithelial cells.