EN
Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal human genetic disorder. It is caused by mutation of chloride channel protein called CFTR. CFTR channel plays a role in osmotic driven water transportacross epithelial cell monolayer. The defective water transport leads to dense viscous mucus secretion which blocks pancreatic juice production and the clearance of lung fluid. The viscous mucus leads to opportunistic infections in lungs which deteriorates its function. The simple explanation of the mechanism of fluid secretion and absorption in different epithelial tissue failed. Either there are different mechanisms for different epithelial tissues or other ion channels beside CFTR are involved in water transport. From that what is known from experimental studies across the lung epithelium sodium, potassium, protons, chloride and bicarbonateions are transported. To solve the mechanism of the mechanism of water transport we need to measure all the ion concentration changes, as fast as possible. Materials and methods: Silver wires were mounted in poly(methyl metacrylate)-based modules. Solid state ion selective electrodes and reference electrode has been used. In the preliminary studies the cell layer was replaced by a porous membrane of resistance of approximately 800 Ω•cm-2 similar to resistances of cell monolayers (300–1500 Ω•cm-2). Results show that we are able to detect ion flow across artificial membrane. Our integrated electrode system can be used to study epithelial cells. This work was supported by a grant from National Center of Science (NCN) grant No. N N401 182839.