Hypertonic saline solution stimulated CLC-3 production in primary cultured human nasal epithelial cells

Objective To determine the molecular mechanisms of hypertonic saline on nasal disorders. Methods Primary human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) were treated with 0.9 and 3% saline for 12 h. CLC-3 was detected in HNECs by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting. Results Positive expression of CLC-3 was detected in HNECs in all subjects by immunohistochemistry. The relative density of CLC-3 mRNA was 0.22 ± 0.09 and 0.12 ± 0.05 in HNECs treated with 3 and 0.9% saline, respectively. The effect of 3% saline on the expression of CLC-3 in HNECs was observed in a time-dependent manner. Conclusions Hypertonic saline decreases the nasal edema and influences the mucocilliary function through the fluid secretion in vitro and may be associated with the upregulation of CLC-3.