F508del is the most common cystic fibrosis-causing mutation that induces early degradation and poor trafficking of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channels to the apical membrane of epithelial cells. Our previous work in bronchial serous cells showed that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) stimulation of the VPAC 1 receptor enhances CFTR-dependent chloride secretion by increasing its membrane insertion by a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent pathway. In the present study, we investigated the effect of VIP on F508del-CFTR activity and membrane insertion in the human nasal epithelial cell line JME/ CF15, which also expresses the VPAC 1 receptor. At reduced temperature (27°C), which rescues F508del-CFTR trafficking, acute stimulation by VIP of rescued F508del-CFTR channels was protein kinase A (PKA)-and PKC-dependent. One hour of treatment with VIP strongly increased F508del-CFTR activity, with iodide efflux peaks three times higher than with untreated cells. At 37°C, VIP-treated cells, but not untreated controls, showed significant iodide efflux peaks that were sensitive to the CFTR inhibitor 3-[(3-trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-5-[(4-carboxyphenyl)methylene]-2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinone (CFTR inh -172). Immunostaining, biotinylation assays, and Western blots confirmed a VIP-induced maturation and membrane insertion of F508del-CFTR at 37°C. The corrector effect of VIP was abolished by the PKA inhibitor N- [2-(p-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide dihydrochloride (H89), whereas G␣ s stimulation by cholera toxin significantly increased F508del-CFTR trafficking. On the other hand, membrane localization, but not maturation, of F508del-CFTR was significantly reduced by the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide X and the G i/o protein inhibitor pertussis toxin. VIP treatment had no effect on intracellular calcium or proteasome activity. These results indicate that, in human nasal cells, VIP rescues trafficking and membrane insertion of functional F508del-CFTR channels at physiological temperature by stimulating both PKA-and PKC-dependent pathways.Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a tightly regulated ion channel that mediates cAMP-stimulated anion conductance in epithelia and other cell types. Mutations in the CFTR gene that result in misprocessed or nonfunctional CFTR channels at the apical membrane of epithelial cells reduce membrane chloride conductance and cause cystic fibrosis (CF), the most common lethal genetic disease in white populations. CF is characterized by abnormal ion transport across epithelia, viscous mucus secretions, and chronic bacterial infections and inflammation in the airways (Gadsby et al., 2006). The most common mutation in CF is a deletion of a phenylalanine

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), a neuropeptide, controls multiple functions in exocrine tissues, including inflammation, and relaxation of airway and vascular smooth muscles, and regulates CFTR-dependent secretion, which contributes to mucus hydration and local innate defense of the lung. We had previously reported that VIP stimulates the VPAC1 receptor, PKCϵ signaling cascade, and increases CFTR stability and function at the apical membrane of airway epithelial cells by reducing its internalization rate. Moreover, prolonged VIP stimulation corrects the molecular defects associated with F508del, the most common CFTR mutation responsible for the genetic disease cystic fibrosis. In the present study, we have examined the impact of the absence of VIP on CFTR maturation, cellular localization, and function in vivo using VIP knockout mice. We have conducted pathological assessments and detected signs of lung and intestinal disease. Immunodetection methods have shown that the absence of VIP results in CFTR intracellular retention despite normal expression and maturation levels. A subsequent loss of CFTR-dependent chloride current was measured in functional assays with Ussing chamber analysis of the small intestine ex vivo, creating a cystic fibrosis-like condition. Interestingly, intraperitoneal administration of VIP corrected tissue abnormalities, close to the wild-type phenotype, as well as associated defects in the vital CFTR protein. The results show in vivo a primary role for VIP chronic exposure in CFTR membrane stability and function and confirm in vitro data.

The most common cystic fibrosis causing mutation F508del induces early degradation and reduced trafficking of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channels to the apical membrane of epithelial cells. In the human nasal epithelial cells JME/CF15, we previously reported that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) exposure corrects trafficking and membrane insertion of functional F508del-CFTR channels at 37°C. Correction of trafficking was PKA dependent, whereas enhanced membrane localization involved PKC. In the present study, we have identified PKCε as the isoform involved in VIP-dependent F508del-CFTR membrane insertion. Iodide effluxes were used to monitor the presence of VIP-rescued functional F508del-CFTR channels at the surface of JME/CF15 cells maintained at 37°C. Iodide efflux peaks measured in response to stimulation with forskolin were insensitive to PKC α, β, γ, δ, ζ inhibitors. In contrast, efflux peaks were completely inhibited by pretreatment with the PKCε inhibitor peptide EAVSLKPT with an IC(50) of 4.9 μM or by PKCε small interfering RNA (siRNA). Immunostaining and confocal microscopy confirmed that membrane localization of F508del-CFTR induced by VIP was abolished in the presence of EAVSLKPT but not with other isoform inhibitors. In recombinant baby hamster kidney cells, endogenously expressing PKCε but no VIP receptor, wild-type, and F508del-CFTR sensitivity to cpt-cAMP stimulation was increased by PMA treatment. Biotinylation assays and immunoblots confirmed that PMA (0.5-2 h) induced a greater than threefold increase in membrane CFTR, whereas forskolin had no effect. The PMA effect was abolished by specifically inhibiting PKCε (EAVSLKPT IC(50) = 5.7 μM) but not other PKC isoforms. Taken together, these results indicate that stimulating PKCε by VIP or PMA increases membrane insertion and activity of WT- and F508del-CFTR.

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