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Secretory Cells Dominate Airway CFTR Expression and Function in Human Airway Superficial Epithelia [single-cell RNA-seq]

ABSTRACT: Purpose: To identify the cell types that contribute to CFTR expression and function within the proximal-distal axis of the normal human lung. Methods: Single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) was performed on freshly isolated human large and small airway epithelial cells. Single cell-based RNA in situ hybridization (scRNA-ISH) and quantitative RT-PCR (scqRT-PCR) were performed for validation. In vitro culture systems correlated CFTR function to cell types. Lentiviruses were used for cell-type specific transduction of wild-type CFTR in CF cells. Results: scRNA-seq identified secretory cells as dominating CFTR expression in normal human large and particularly small airways, followed by basal cells. Ionocytes expressed the highest CFTR levels but were rare, while expression in ciliated cells was infrequent and low. scRNA-ISH, and scqRT-PCR confirmed the scRNA-seq findings. CF lungs exhibited distributions of CFTR and ionocytes similar to normal controls. CFTR-mediated Cl- secretion tracked secretory cell, not ionocyte, densities. Further, the nucleotide-purinergic regulatory system that controls CFTR-mediated hydration was associated with secretory cells. Lentiviral transduction of wild-type CFTR produced CFTR-mediated Cl- secretion in CF airway secretory cells but not ciliated cells. Conclusions: Secretory cells dominate CFTR expression and function in human airway superficial epithelia. CFTR therapies may need to restore CFTR function to multiple cell types, with a focus on secretory cells.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE160673 | GEO | 2020/12/16

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Background: CFTR modulators will decrease some etiologies of inflammation in the CF airway; however, current data indicate that non-resolving airway infection and inflammation will persist in individuals with CF and chronic bacterial infections. Thus, identification of therapies that diminish CF airway inflammation without allowing unrestrained bacterial growth remains a critical research goal. Novel strategies for combatting deleterious airway inflammation require a better understanding of the cellular contributions to chronic CF airway disease, and how cells change after initiation of CFTR modulator therapy. Peripheral blood monocytes, which traffic to the CF airway, can develop both pro-inflammatory and inflammation-resolving phenotypes, and represent intriguing targets for focused therapies to dampen CF airway inflammation. Material and Methods: In order to characterize the inflammatory phenotype of CF blood monocytes, and how these cells change after initiation of CFTR modulator therapy, we studied adults (n=10) with CF, chronic airway infections, and the CFTR-R117H mutations before and 7 days after initiation of ivacaftor. Transcriptomes of freshly isolated blood monocytes were interrogated by RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). Plasma concentrations of cytokines and chemokines were evaluated by multiplex ELISA. Results: RNAseq identified approximately 50 monocyte genes for which basal expression was significantly changed in all 10 subjects after 7 days of ivacaftor. Of these, the majority were increased in expression post ivacaftor, including many genes traditionally associated with enhanced inflammation and immune responses. Pathway analyses confirmed that transcriptional pathways were overwhelmingly up-regulated in monocytes after 7 days of ivacaftor, including transcriptional modules associated with immunity, cell cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and the unfolded protein response. Ivacaftor increased plasma concentrations of CXCL2, a neutrophil chemokine secreted by monocytes and macrophages, and CCL2, a monocyte chemokine. These results demonstrate that ivacaftor causes acute changes in blood monocytes and plasma chemokines, and suggest that increased monocyte inflammatory signals and potentially improved trafficking to the lung contribute to changes in airway inflammation in people taking CFTR modulators. To our knowledge, this is the first report investigating the transcriptomic response of isolated blood monocytes in CF subjects.

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Secretory Cells Dominate Airway CFTR Expression and Function in Human Airway Superficial Epithelia [single-cell RNA-seq]

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