Respiratory Defense Mechanisms. The Dual Function of Airway Epithelial Cells: Contraction of Cilia and Secretion

The origin of airway secretion is thought to be in the seromucous glands, goblet cells, transudation from capillary secretions and cell debris from leucocytes. We demonstrated that ciliated airway epithelial cells have chloride channel activities and can secrete chloride ions after administration of isoproterenol, ATP, UTP and acetylcholine using the patch-clamp technique. The activated chloride channel activities were significantly inhibited by macrolide. We concluded that the periciliary layer of low viscosity in which the cilia beat may originated with the ciliated epithelial cell themselves.