Activation by Extracellular Nucleotides of Chloride Secretion in the Airway Epithelia of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract

Extracellular nucleotides are effective in vivo chloride secretagogues in the nasal epithelia of patients with cystic fibrosis. The equipotency of ATP and UTP suggests that the effect is mediated by P2 nucleotide receptors. Selected nucleotides, such as UTP or nucleotide analogues, should be investigated as therapeutic agents for lung disease in cystic fibrosis.