SAGM-cultured hAECs produce functional CFTR ion channels.

<p>Supernatant iodine concentration was measured and CFTR channel function was calculated and plotted as supernatant iodine concentration vs forskolin concentration (A) (error bars represent SD, n = 9). hAECs cultured in SAGM demonstrated forskolin-activated CFTR function. Treatment of cultures with CFTR-inhibitor CFTR-172 reversed forskolin activation of CFTR function. Fetal rat lung epithelial (FRLE) cells were utilized as a positive control in this study and displayed similar CFTR stimulation and inhibition as observed in SAGM-cultured hAECs. We did not detect any significant forskolin-activated CFTR function in undifferentiated hAECs. 2D elemental mapping of the forskolin-activated flux of iodine across the cell membrane as well as 2D elemental maps for sulfur, potassium and calcium (B) supported the observed forskolin-activated ion flux across the membrane (n = 3).