Abstract: A method of facilitating the obtaining of a mucus sample from at least one lung of a subject comprises administering to at least one lung of the subject, in an amount effective to hydrate lung mucous secretions and/or stimulate cilia beat frequency therein, uridine 5'-triphosphate, an active analog thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of either thereof, and, optionally, concurrently administering to said at least one lung a physiologically acceptable salt in an amount effective to hydrate lung mucus secretions therein. A sputum or mucus sample is then collected from said at least one lung, which sample can then be analyzed for lung disease. Pharmaceutical compositions useful for carrying out the method comprise UTP or a salt thereof, alone or in combination with a physiologically acceptable salt, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of either thereof. The composition may be a liquid/liquid suspension composition or a dry powder composition.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula I: ##STR1## wherein: X.sub.1, and X.sub.2 are each independently either O.sup.- or S.sup.- ;X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are each independently either --H or --OH, with the proviso that X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are not simultaneously --H;R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of O, imido, methylene and dihalomethylene;R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of H, halo, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxyl, nitro and azido;R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, acyl, aryl, and arylalkyl; andR.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of --OR', --SR', --NR', and --NR'R", wherein R' and R" are independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, arylalkyl, alkoxyl, and aryloxyl, with the proviso that R' is absent when R.sub.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical formulation comprises, in an amount effective to hydrate lung mucous secretions, a compound of Formula (I): ##STR1## wherein n is from 1 to 6;X is --OH or --SH;A and B are each independently selected from the group consisting of: ##STR2## wherein R is H or Br; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A method of hydrating mucous secretions in the lungs of a subject in need of such treatment, comprising administering to the lungs of the subject a compound of Formula I as given above, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of faciltating the obtaining of a mucus sample from at least one lung of a subject comprises administering a physiologically acceptable salt to at least one lung of the subject in an amount effective to hydrate lung mucus secretions therein, and concurrently administering to said at least one lung of the subject, in an amount effective to hydrate lung mucous secretions therein, uridine triphosphate, an active analog thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of either thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions useful for carrying out the method comprise, in combination, a physiologically acceptable salt, and uridine triphosphate, an active analog thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of either thereof. The composition may be a liquid composition or a dry powder composition.

Abstract: Methods of hydrating lung mucous secretions in the lungs of a subject are disclosed. The methods involve administering benzamil or phenamil to the lungs of the subject in an amount effective to hydrate lung mucous secretions. The administering step is preferably carried out by inhalation administration. The method is useful in the treatment of diseases such as cystic fibrosis and chronic bronchitis.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the clearance of retained pulmonary secretions in a subject using lantibiotics is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the lungs of the subject an effective amount of a lantibiotic. The lantibiotic is preferably administered by topically applying it to the respiratory epithelia, such as by generating an aerosol thereof which is then inhaled by the subject. A preferred lantibiotic for carrying out the present invention is duramycin. The method may be used in treating disorders such as cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. Also disclosed is a method of combatting tuberculosis comprising administering a lantibiotic to a subject in need of such treatment.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for removing retained mucus secretions from the lungs of a human subject. The method includes (1) generating an aerosol suspension of respirable solid, dry particulate amiloride, and (2) delivering by inhalation the aerosol suspension to the respiratory system of the subject. The solid particulate amiloride is comprised of particles of about 1 to 5 microns and is free of liquid amiloride particles. The aerosol suspension of respirable solid particulate amiloride is administered in an amount sufficient to achieve concentrations of amiloride on the airway surfaces of from about 10.sup.-7 to 10.sup.-3 Moles/liter. As a result of the treatment, the secretions are hydrated and more easily transported from the lung via mucociliary action. Methods are also disclosed for the treatment of cystic fibrosis in humans.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the clearance of retained pulmonary secretions in a subject using lantibiotics is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the lungs of the subject an effective amount of a lantibiotic. The lantibiotic is preferably administered by topically applying it to the respiratory epithelia, such as by generating an aerosol thereof which is then inhaled by the subject. A preferred lantibiotic for carrying out the present invention is duramycin. The method may be used in treating disorders such as cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. Also disclosed is a method of combatting tuberculosis comprising administering a lantibiotic to a subject in need of such treatment.

Abstract: Isolated DNAs encoding the human P.sub.2U receptor are disclosed, along with vectors and host cells containing the same and methods of using the same. Host cells which are essentially free of endogenous P.sub.2U receptor expression, and which express a heterologous P.sub.2U receptor such as a murine P.sub.2U receptor, are also disclosed, along with methods of using the same.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the clearance of retained pulmonary secretions in a subject using lantibiotics is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the lungs of the subject an effective amount of a lantibiotic. The lantibiotic is preferably administered by topically applying it to the respiratory epithelia, such as by generating an aerosol thereof which is then inhaled by the subject. A preferred lantibiotic for carrying out the present invention is duramycin. The method may be used in treating disorders such as cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. Also disclosed is a method of combatting tuberculosis comprising administering a lantibiotic to a subject in need of such treatment.

Abstract: Method of hydrating lung mucous secretions in the lungs of a subject are disclosed. The methods involve administering benzamil or phenamil to the lungs of the subject in an amount effective to hydrate lung mucous secretions. The administering step is preferably carried out by inhalation administration. The method is useful in the treatment of diseases such as cystic fibrosis and chronic bronchitis.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the clearance of retained pulmonary secretions in a subject using lantibiotics is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the lungs of the subject an effective amount of a lantibiotic. The lantibiotic is preferably administered by topically applying it to the respiratory epithelia, such as by generating an aerosol thereof which is then inhaled by the subject. A preferred lantibiotic for carrying out the present invention is duramycin. The method may be used in treating disorders such as cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. Also disclosed is a method of combatting tuberculosis comprising administering a lantibiotic to a subject in need of such treatment.

Abstract: A compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is disclosed: ##STR1## wherein: n is from 1 to 6;X is --OH or --SH;A and B are each independently selected from the group consisting of: ##STR2## wherein R is H or Br. The compounds are useful in the treatment of airway diseases such as cystic fibrosis. Pharmaceutical formulations comprising a compound of Formula (I), and methods of hydrating mucous secretions in the lungs of a subject in need of such treatment, comprising administering to the lungs of the subject a compound of Formula I as given above, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of faciltating the obtaining of a mucus sample from at least one lung of a subject comprises administering a physiologically acceptable salt to at least one lung of the subject in an amount effective to hydrate lung mucus secretions therein, and concurrently administering to said at least one lung of the subject, in an amount effective to hydrate lung mucous secretions therein, uridine triphosphate, an active analog thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of either thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions useful for carrying out the method comprise, in combination, a physiologically acceptable salt, and uridine triphosphate, an active analog thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of either thereof. The composition may be a liquid composition or a dry powder composition.

Abstract: Isolated DNAs encoding the human P.sub.2U receptor are disclosed, along with vectors and host cells containing the same and methods of using the same. Host cells which are essentially free of endogenous P.sub.2U receptor expression, and which express a heterologous P.sub.2U receptor such as a murine P.sub.2U receptor, are also disclosed, along with methods of using the same.

Abstract: Isolated DNAs encoding the human P.sub.2U receptor are disclosed, along with vectors and host cells containing the same and methods of using the same. Host cells which are essentially free of endogenous P.sub.2U receptor expression, and which express a heterologous P.sub.2U receptor such as a murine P.sub.2U receptor, are also disclosed, along with methods of using the same.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the clearance of retained pulmonary secretions in a subject using lantibiotics is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the lungs of the subject an effective amount of a lantibiotic. The lantibiotic is preferably administered by topically applying it to the respiratory epithelia, such as by generating an aerosol thereof which is then inhaled by the subject. A preferred lantibiotic for carrying out the present invention is duramycin. The method may be used in treating disorders such as cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. Also disclosed is a method of combatting tuberculosis comprising administering a lantibiotic to a subject in need of such treatment.

Abstract: A method of hydrating mucous secretions in the lungs of a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the lungs of the subject a uridine triphosphate such as uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP) or uridine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (UTP.gamma.S) in an amount effective to hydrate lung mucous secretions. The method is useful for treating patients aflicted with cystic fibrosis. Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of making the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a method of treatment of retained pulmonary secretions by the use of aerosolized suspension of amiloride.