Basal chloride currents in murine airway epithelial cells: modulation by CFTR

Isolated mouse ciliated nasal epithelial cells from normal controls and cystic fibrosis null subjects were used in patch clamp studies to determine their basal conductances. Results reveal that unstimulated cells have potassium and chloride ion currents and small sodium current under particular conditions. Three chloride ion currents were identified. One of these is modulated by the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator.