Airway Mucus and Epithelial Function in a Canine Model of Single Lung Autotransplantation

Impaired mucociliary function following lung transplantation has been reported in several human and animal studies. This could be a result of altered ciliary function or mucus properties or both. We assessed airway epithelial function by means of transepithelial potential difference (PD) measurements and physical analysis of mucus. Six mongrel dogs underwent single lung autologous transplantation. Measurements were performed preoperatively and 1, 2, 4, and 10 months postoperatively. At 1 and 2 months postoperatively, there was a significant fall in PD for the transplanted, left mainstem bronchus only (–13.5±1.7 mV at 1 month and −14.6±1.7 mV at 2 month postoperatively vs −18.6±2.3 mV preoperatively, baseline; p