Decreased expression of both the 1- and 2-subunits of the Na-K-ATPase reduces maximal alveolar epithelial fluid clearance

Looney, Mark R., Claudio Sartori, Santanu Chakraborty, Paul F. James, Jerry B. Lingrel, and Michael A. Matthay. Decreased expression of both the 1and 2-subunits of the Na-K-ATPase reduces maximal alveolar epithelial fluid clearance. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 289: L104–L110, 2005. First published March 18, 2005; doi:10.1152/ajplung.00464.2004.—Impaired epithelial sodium channel function predisposes to delayed resorption of pulmonary edema and more severe experimental lung injury, whereas even a small fraction of the normal Na-K-ATPase activity is thought to be sufficient to maintain normal ion transport. However, direct proof is lacking. Therefore, we studied baseline and cAMP stimulated alveolar fluid clearance (AFC) in mice with a 50% decrease in lung protein expression of the 1and/or 2-subunit of the Na-K-ATPase. There was no difference in basal and stimulated AFC in 1 / or 2 /