Generation and phenotype of cell lines derived from CF and non-CF mice that carry the H-2K(b)-tsA58 transgene

Tracheal, renal, salivary, and pancreatic epithelial cells from cystic fibr osis [CF; cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) -/-] a nd non-CF mice that carry a temperature-sensitive SV40 large T antigen onco gene (ImmortoMouse) were isolated and maintained in culture under permissiv e conditions (33 degreesC with interferon-gamma). The resultant cell lines have been in culture for >1 year and 50 passages. Each of the eight cell li nes form polarized epithelial barriers and exhibit regulated, electrogenic ion transport. The four non-CF cell lines (mTEC1, mCT1, mSEC1, and mPEC1) e xpress cAMP-regulated Cl- permeability and cAMP-stimulated Cl- secretion. I n contrast, the four CFTR -/- cell lines (mTEC1-CF, mCT1-CF, mSEC1-CF, and mPEC1-CF) each lack cAMP-stimulated Cl- secretory responses. Ca2+-activated Cl- secretion is retained in both CF and non-CF cell lines. Thus we have g enerated genetically well-matched epithelial cell lines from several tissue s relevant to cystic fibrosis that either completely lack CFTR or express e ndogenous levels of CFTR. These cell lines should prove useful for studies of regulation of epithelial cell function and the role of CFTR in cell phys iology.