CFTR-dependent HCO3- secretion enables large oscillations in surface pH during breathing
Exhaled alveolar air has >140 times higher levels of CO2 than inhaled room air. The CO2 rapidly equilibrates in the microscopic layer of airway surface liquid (ASL) and converted to carbonic acid in a reaction catalyzed by membrane bound carbonic anhydrases especially CA12. We want to understand how these large oscillations in mucosal pH affect physiology and innate immunity of the airways.