Low Expression of Human Epithelial Sodium Channel in Airway Epithelium of Preterm Infants With Respiratory Distress

Abstract

All 3 subunits of the hENaC are low in preterm relative to full-term infants. alpha-hENaC mRNA in respiratory epithelium is increased by therapeutic doses of glucocorticosteroid. Low expression of alpha-hENaC in human respiratory epithelium may play a role in the pathogenesis of respiratory distress in preterm infants.