Cellular and molecular architecture of submucosal glands in wild-type and cystic fibrosis pigs

Submucosal glands (SMGs) protect lungs but can also contribute to disease. For example, in cystic fibrosis (CF), SMGs produce abnormal mucus that disrupts mucociliary transport. CF is an ion transport disease, yet knowledge of the ion transporters expressed by SMG acini, which produce mucus, and SMG ducts that carry it to the airway lumen is limited. Therefore, we isolated SMGs from newborn pigs and used single-cell messenger RNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization to identify cell types, gene expression, and spatial distribution. Cell types and transcript levels were the same in non-CF and CF SMGs, suggesting that loss of epithelial anion secretion rather than an intrinsic cell defect causes CF mucus abnormalities. Gene signatures of acinar mucous and acinar serous cells revealed specialized functions in producing mucins and antimicrobials, respectively. However, surprisingly, these two cell types expressed the same ion transporters and neurohumoral receptors, suggesting the importance of balancing mucin and liquid secretion to produce optimal mucus properties. SMG duct cell transcripts suggest that they secrete HCO3- and Cl-, and thus have some similarity to pancreatic ducts that are also defective in CF. These and additional findings suggest the functions of the SMG acinus and duct and provide a baseline for understanding how environmental and genetic challenges impact their contribution to lung disease.

Automated summary

Submucosal glands (SMGs) play a crucial role in protecting the lungs but can also contribute to disease. In cystic fibrosis (CF), SMGs produce abnormal mucus that disrupts mucociliary transport. This study used single-cell RNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization to investigate the expression and distribution of ion transporters and cell types in SMGs. The results suggest that loss of epithelial anion secretion, rather than intrinsic cell defects, causes CF mucus abnormalities. The study also revealed different functions of acinar mucous cells and acinar serous cells in producing mucins and antimicrobials, respectively.