Electrical properties of monolayers cultured from cells of human tracheal mucosa

Dispersed isolated cells were obtained from human tracheal mucosa by digestion with collagenase. Up to 1.5 X 10(8) cells were obtained per trachea and showed up to 95% viability, as judged by trypan blue exclusion. When grown in culture, the cells formed monolayers after approximately 4 days. Electron microscopy of the monolayers revealed a polarized structure. An apical membrane, containing microvilli and a pronounced glycocalyx, was separated from a relatively unspecialized basolateral membrane by typical tight junctions. Monolayers grown on nucleopore filters showed resistances of 44-1,800 omega. cm2 and transepithelial potential differences of 0.1-7.6 mV. Short-circuit current (Isc) was increased by isoproterenol, prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha, and bradykinin. The loop diuretic, bumetanide, reduced Isc when added to the basolateral (serosal) side but had no effect from the apical (mucosal) side of the monolayers. Furosemide and MK-196 also inhibited Isc. Mucosal amiloride inhibited Isc. Serosal amiloride or mucosal ouabain had no effect on Isc. Serosal ouabain brought Isc to zero after approximately 15 min.