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University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Macromolecular Complexes of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Alter Fluid Transport in inflammatory Bowel Disorders

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>Macromolecular complexes of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) comprise of network of proteins that can regulate cAMP-/cGMP-activated CFTR chloride channel function. We report the physical and functional coupling of CFTR with nitric oxide (NO) producing enzyme-inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) at the apical plasma membrane in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The complex formation requires the scaffolding protein Na+ /H+ exchanger regulatory factor 2 (NHERF2). We demonstrate that iNOS is overexpressed at or near the apical plasma membrane of gut epithelial cells in IBD and, through the stimulation of the NO-cGMP pathway, generates compartmentalized cGMP underneath the plasma membrane. This action triggers the hyperactivation of CFTR chloride channels and causes secretory diarrhea phenotype in IBD. Inhibition of CFTR and iNOS activity attenuates diarrhea in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced colitis. Dissolution of the macromolecular complex in Nherf2 -/- mice renders them resistant to CFTR-mediated secretory diarrhea in murine colitis models compared to Nherf2+/+. Our findings have important therapeutic implications in IBD and other forms of gastrointestinal inflammations.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Level thesis:degree_level
Dissertation
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Biomedical Sciences
Year dc:date.available
2013

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Arora, Kavisha
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Anjaparavanda P. Naren, Ph.D.

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://dc.uthsc.edu/dissertations/19
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:dc.uthsc.edu:dissertations-1019

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Base URL
dc.uthsc.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Arora, Kavisha. Macromolecular Complexes of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Alter Fluid Transport in inflammatory Bowel Disorders. Dissertation thesis, 2013. https://dc.uthsc.edu/dissertations/19