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Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Collection, Expansion, and Differentiation of Primary Human Nasal Epithelial Cell Models for Quantification of Cilia Beat Frequency
Published on: November 10, 2021
Daidzein-Stimulated Increase in the Ciliary Beating Amplitude via an [Cl-]i Decrease in Ciliated Human Nasal
Taka-Aki Inui1,2, Makoto Yasuda3, Shigeru Hirano4
1Department of Molecular Cell Physiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan. inui1227@koto.kpu-m.ac.jp.
Abstract:
The effects of the isoflavone daidzein on the ciliary beat distance (CBD, which is a parameter assessing the amplitude of ciliary beating) and the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) were examined in ciliated human nasal epithelial cells (cHNECs) in primary culture. Daidzein decreased [Cl-]i and enhanced CBD in cHNECs. The CBD increase that was stimulated by daidzein was mimicked by Cl--free NO₃- solution and bumetanide (an inhibitor of Na⁺/K⁺/2Cl- cotransport), both of which decreased [Cl-]i. Moreover, the CBD increase was inhibited by 5-Nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid (NPPB, a Cl- channel blocker), which increased [Cl-]i. CBF was also decreased by NPPB. The rate of [Cl-]i decrease evoked by Cl--free NO₃- solution was enhanced by daidzein. These results suggest that daidzein activates Cl- channels in cHNECs. Moreover, daidzein enhanced the microbead transport driven by beating cilia in the cell sheet of cHNECs, suggesting that an increase in CBD enhances ciliary transport. An [Cl-]i decrease enhanced CBD, but not CBF, in cHNECs at 37 °C, although it enhanced both at 25 °C. Intracellular Cl- affects both CBD and CBF in a temperature-dependent manner. In conclusion, daidzein, which activates Cl- channels to decrease [Cl-]i, stimulated CBD increase in cHNECs at 37 °C. CBD is a crucial factor that can increase ciliary transport in the airways under physiological conditions.
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