Fluid and ion transport across biliary epithelium contributes to bile flow. Alterations of this function may explain hepatobiliary complications in cystic fibrosis (CF). We investigated electrogenic anion transport across intact non-CF and CF human gallbladder mucosa in Ussing-type chambers. In non-CF tissues, baseline transmural potential difference (PD), short-circuit current (Isc), and resistance (R) were ؊2.2 ؎ 0.3 mV (lumen negative), 40.7 ؎ 7.8 A/cm 2 , and 66.5 ؎ 9.6 ⍀ · cm 2 , respectively (n ‫؍‬ 14). The addition of forskolin (10 ؊5 mol/L) to the apical and basolateral baths and that of adenosine 5Ј-triphosphate (ATP) (10 ؊4 mol/L) to the apical bath induced significant increases in Isc by 8.0 ؎ 1.4 and 10.3 ؎ 1.8 A/cm 2 , respectively. Depletion of bathing solutions in Cl ؊ and HCO 3 ؊ significantly reduced baseline Isc and the forskolin-and ATPinduced increases in Isc. Anion secretion was stimulated by extracellular ATP via P2Y 2 purinoceptors, as indicated by the effects of different nucleotides on Isc and on 36 Cl efflux in cultured gallbladder epithelial cells. This effect was mediated by cytosolic calcium increase and Ca 2؉ /calmodulindependent protein kinase II, as ascertained by using inhibitors. In CF preparations, basal PD and Isc were lower than in non-CF, and the response to forskolin was abolished, whereas the response to ATP was enhanced (P F .05 for all). We conclude that electrogenic anion secretion occurs in human gallbladder mucosa under basal state and is stimulated by an adenosine 3Ј,5Ј-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent pathway mediated by cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), and by exogenous ATP via a CFTR-independent pathway that is up-regulated in CF and involves P2Y 2 purinoceptors and a calciumdependent pathway. (HEPATOLOGY 1999;29:5-13.)

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