Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Nasal Potential Difference to Quantify Trans-epithelial Ion Transport in Mice
Published on: July 4, 2018
RNA interference for CFTR attenuates lung fluid absorption at birth in rats
Tianbo Li1, Shyny Koshy, Hans G Folkesson
1Department of Integrative Medical Sciences, Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rootstown, OH 44272-0095, USA. Tianbo.Li@yale.edu
Background:
Small interfering RNA (siRNA) against alphaENaC (alpha-subunit of the epithelial Na channel) and CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) was used to explore ENaC and CTFR function in newborn rat lungs.
Methods:
Twenty-four hours after trans-thoracic intrapulmonary (ttip) injection of siRNA-generating plasmid DNA (pSi-0, pSi-4, or pSi-C2), we measured CFTR and ENaC expression, extravascular lung water, and mortality.
Results:
alphaENaC and CFTR mRNA and protein decreased by approximately 80% and approximately 85%, respectively, following alphaENaC and CFTR silencing. Extravascular lung water and mortality increased after alphaENaC and CFTR-silencing. In pSi-C2-transfected isolated DLE cells there were attenuated CFTR mRNA and protein. In pSi-4-transfected DLE cells alphaENaC mRNA and protein were both reduced. Interestingly, CFTR-silencing also reduced alphaENaC mRNA and protein. alphaENaC silencing, on the other hand, only slightly reduced CFTR mRNA and protein.
Conclusion:
Thus, ENaC and CFTR are both involved in the fluid secretion to absorption conversion around at birth.
More Related Videos
08:00Generation of Human Nasal Epithelial Cell Spheroids for Individualized Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Study
Published on: April 11, 2018
07:04Forskolin-induced Swelling in Intestinal Organoids: An In Vitro Assay for Assessing Drug Response in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Published on: February 11, 2017