Isolation and properties of fibroblast mutants overexpressing an altered Na+/H+ antiporter

A new method based on the toxicity of low intracellular pH (pHi) was developed to isolate fibroblast variants overexpressing Na+/H+ antiport activity. Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CCL39) were incubated for 60 min in medium containing 50 mM NH4Cl. Removal of external NH+4 induced a rapid and lethal intracellular acidification when the Na+/H+ antiporter was inhibited during the 60 min of the pHi recovery phase. The inhibition was provoked either by adding 5-(N-methyl,N-propyl)amiloride (MPA, LD50 = 0.3 microM) or by reducing external [Na+] (LD50 = 25 mM). Progressively increasing the MPA concentration during the acid-load selection led to the isolation of two stable variants: AR40 and AR300, resistant, respectively, to 40 and 300 microM MPA. In response to an acid-load, these variants display a much higher rate of pHi recovery due to an overexpression of Na+/H+ antiport activity. In addition, AR40 and AR300 have an altered Na+/H+ antiporter: in AR300 cells K0.5 of MPA for inhibiting Na+/H+ exchange is shifted from 5 X 10(-8) to 1.5 X 10(-6) M, Km (Na+) is decreased 2-fold, and Vmax is increased 4.5-fold. Alternatively reducing Na+ concentration of the pHi recovery saline medium in a stepwise manner led to the selection of another class of variants (DD8 and DD12) also characterized by an altered Na+/H+ antiporter and an increased expression level. The 10-fold increased rate of amiloride-sensitive Na+ influx of DD12 is accounted for by a 4-fold increase in Vmax and a 2.5-fold increase in affinity for Na+ or Li+ at the external site. Interestingly, the affinity for the amiloride analog MPA and for external H+ is unchanged in DD12. In conclusion, the genetic approach presented here: provides a general and specific method for selecting variants of the Na+/H+ antiporter with increased expression levels and/or with structural alterations and demonstrates that the external Na+- and amiloride-binding sites are not identical, since they can be genetically altered independently of each other.     

Reduced contribution from Na+/H+ exchange to acid extrusion during anoxia in adult rat hippocampal CA1 neurons

The effect of anoxia on Na+/H+ exchange activity was examined in acutely isolated adult rat hippocampal CA1 neurons loaded with the H+-sensitive fluorophore, BCECF. Five-minute anoxia imposed under nominally HCO3-/CO2-free conditions induced a fall in pHi, the magnitude of which was smaller following prolonged exposure to medium in which N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG+) was employed as an extracellular Na+ (Na(+)(o)) substitute. Also consistent with the possibility that Na+/H+ exchange becomes inhibited soon after the induction of anoxia, rates of Na(+)(o)-dependent pHi recovery from internal acid loads imposed during anoxia were slowed, compared to rates of Na(+)(o)-dependent pHi recovery observed prior to anoxia. At the time at which rates of pHi recovery were reduced during anoxia, cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels had fallen to 35% of preanoxic levels, suggesting that ATP depletion might contribute to the observed inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange. In support, incubation of neurons with 2-deoxyglucose and antimycin A under normoxic conditions induced a fall in cellular ATP levels that was also associated with reduced Na(+)(o)-dependent rates of pHi recovery from imposed acid loads; conversely, pre-treatment with 10 mm creatine attenuated the effects of anoxia to reduce both ATP levels and Na(+)(o)-dependent rates of pHi recovery from internal acid loads. Taken together, the results are consistent with the possibility that functional Na+/H+ exchange activity in adult rat CA1 neurons declines soon after the onset of anoxia, possibly as a result of anoxia-induced falls in intracellular ATP.     

Dual control of the intracellular pH in aortic smooth muscle cells by a cAMP-sensitive HCO3-/Cl- antiporter and a protein kinase C-sensitive Na+/H+ antiporter

Two mechanisms are involved in the regulation of the intracellular pH (pHi) of aortic smooth muscle cells: the Na+/H+ antiporter and a Na+-independent HCO3-/Cl- antiporter. The Na+/H+ antiporter acts as a cell alkalinizing mechanism. It is activated by vasopressin and by phorbol esters when cells are incubated in the presence of bicarbonate but is not affected in the absence of bicarbonate. The HCO3-/Cl- antiporter acts as a cell acidifying mechanism. Agents such as forskolin, 8-Br-cAMP, and isoproterenol which raise intracellular cAMP levels inhibit the HCO3-/Cl- antiporter by shifting its pHi dependence in the alkaline direction. Thus, within the same cell type, different hormones control pHi variations by acting on different pHi regulating systems. An increase in pHi can be achieved either by a stimulation of a cell alkalinizing mechanism or by inhibition of a cell acidifying mechanism. A change of the activity of one pHi regulating mechanism modifies the responsiveness of the other to regulatory agents. Bicarbonate turns on the HCO3-/Cl- antiporter, decreases pHi and allows its regulation by protein kinase C through the Na+/H+ antiporter. Inhibition of the HCO3-/Cl- antiporter by cAMP increases the pHi and switches off the protein kinase C-mediated regulation.     

Role of Na+/H+ exchange in the control of intracellular pH and cell membrane conductances in frog skin epithelium

Ion-sensitive microelectrodes and current-voltage analysis were used to study intracellular pH (pHi) regulation and its effects on ionic conductances in the isolated epithelium of frog skin. We show that pHi recovery after an acid load is dependent on the operation of an amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ exchanger localized at the basolateral cell membranes. The antiporter is not quiescent at physiological pHi (7.1-7.4) and, thus, contributes to the maintenance of steady state pHi. Moreover, intracellular sodium ion activity is also controlled in part by Na+ uptake via the exchanger. Intracellular acidification decreased transepithelial Na+ transport rate, apical Na+ permeability (PNa) and Na+ and K+ conductances. The recovery of these transport parameters after the removal of the acid load was found to be dependent on pHi regulation via Na+/H+ exchange. Conversely, variations in Na+ transport were accompanied by changes in pHi. Inhibition of Na+/K+ ATPase by ouabain produced covariant decreases in pHi and PNa, whereas increases in Na+ transport, occurring spontaneously or after aldosterone treatment, were highly correlated with intracellular alkalinization. We conclude that cytoplasmic H+ activity is regulated by a basolateral Na+/H+ exchanger and that transcellular coupling of ion flows at opposing cell membranes can be modulated by the pHi-regulating mechanism.     

Polarized distribution of Na+/H+ antiport and Na+/HCO3- cotransport in primary cultures of renal inner medullary collecting duct cells.

Primary cultures of rat renal inner medullary collecting duct cells were grown to confluence on glass coverslips and treated permeant supports, and the pH-sensitive fluorescent probe 2,7-biscarboxyethyl-5,6-carboxyfluorescein was employed to delineate the nature of the transport pathways that allowed for recovery from an imposed acid load in a HCO3-/CO2-buffered solution. The H+ efflux rate of acid-loaded cells was 13.44 +/- 0.94 mM/min. Addition of amiloride, 10(-4) M, to the recovery solution reduced the H+ efflux rate to 4.06 +/- 0.63 mM/min. The amiloride-resistant pHi recovery mechanism displayed an absolute requirement for Na+ but was Cl(-)-independent. Studies performed on permeable supports demonstrated that the latter pathway was located primarily on the basolateral-equivalent (BE) cell surface and was inhibited by 50 microM 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS). In a Na(+)-replete solution containing DIDS (50 microM) and amiloride (10(-4) M), acid-loaded cells failed to return to basal pHi. To delineate further the amiloride-inhibitable component of pHi recovery, monolayers were studied in the nominal absence of HCO3-/CO2. In 70% of monolayers studied, Na(+)-dependent, amiloride-inhibitable H+ efflux was the sole mechanism whereby acid-loaded cells returned to basal pHi. A Na(+)-independent pathway was observed in 30% of monolayers examined and represented only a minor component of the pHi recovery process. In studies performed on permeable supports, the Na(+)-dependent amiloride-inhibitable pathway was found to be confined exclusively to the BE cell surface. In summary, confluent monolayers of rat renal inner medullary collecting duct cells in primary culture possess two major mechanisms that contribute toward recovery from an imposed acid load, namely, Na+/H+ antiport and Na+/HCO3- cotransport. Na(+)-independent pHi recovery mechanisms represent a minor component of the pHi recovery process in the cultured cell. Both the Na+/H+ antiporter and Na+/HCO3- cotransporter are located primarily on the BE cell surface.     

Regulation of intracellular pH in human platelets. Effects of thrombin, A23187, and ionomycin and evidence for activation of Na+/H+ exchange and its inhibition by amiloride analogs

Intracellular pH (pHi) of human platelets was measured with the fluorescent dye 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)5,6-carboxyfluorescein under various conditions. Stimulation by thrombin at 23 degrees C caused a biphasic change in pHi (initial pHi 7.09); a rapid fall of 0.01-0.04 units (correlated with the rise of [Ca2+]i measured with quin2) followed after 10-15 s by a sustained rise of 0.1-0.15 units pHi. The fall of pHi and [Ca2+]i mobilization was reduced by early (5 s) addition of hirudin, but the later elevated pHi was not reversed by hirudin added after 30 s, although this strips thrombin from receptors and rapidly returns [Ca2+]i to basal levels. In Na+-free medium, or in presence of the Na+/H+ antiport inhibitors, 5-(N,N-dimethyl)amiloride (DMA) or 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (EIPA), thrombin caused a greater fall of pHi (0.22-0.26 units) that was sustained. DMA or EIPA could also reverse the alkalinization response to thrombin. Ca2+ ionophores (ionomycin, A23187) decreased platelet pHi by 0.02-0.15 units, but without an increase of pHi comparable to that following thrombin; DMA and EIPA enhanced the fall of pHi (0.14-0.33 units). Cytoplasmic acidification produced by nigericin (K+/H+ ionophore) was followed by return towards normal that was abolished by Na+/H+ antiport inhibitors. The phorbol diester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate had little effect on resting pHi but increased the rate of recovery 2-3-fold after cytoplasmic acidification by nigericin, ionomycin, or sodium propionate. These results indicate that elevation of [Ca2+]i by thrombin enhances H+ production, but the subsequent alkalinization is independent of receptor occupancy or elevated [Ca2+]i and stimulation of the Na+/H+ antiporter by thrombin probably involves some mechanism apart from regulation by H+ and protein kinase C.     

The Na+/H+ antiporter in rat alveolar type II cells and its role in stimulated surfactant secretion

We used the pH-sensitive fluorescent probe 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) to identify Na+/H+ exchange in freshly isolated rat alveolar type II cells and alveolar type II cells in primary culture. The intracellular pH (pHi) of freshly isolated alveolar type II cells was 7.36 +/- 0.05 (n = 3). When freshly isolated alveolar type II cells were acid loaded with nigericin in sodium-free buffer, the pHi dropped to 6.59 +/- 0.04 and remained low in sodium-free buffer. When acid-loaded cells were subsequently incubated with NaCl, pHi increased in a dose-dependent manner. Amiloride (0.1 mM) inhibited the sodium-induced increase in pHi. When the acid-loaded cells were resuspended in an unbuffered choline chloride solution, the cells secreted H+ in a sodium-dependent and amiloride-inhibitable manner. Alveolar type II cell monolayers, which were cultured for 22 h on glass coverslips and then loaded with BCECF, had a resting pHi of 7.48 +/- 0.05 (n = 4). Nigericin acidified these cultured cells in the absence of sodium and NaCl increased the pHi of these acid loaded cells as observed in freshly isolated cells. Secretagogues of pulmonary surfactant, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) and terbutaline, did not change pHi. Inhibition of the Na+/H+ antiporter by the addition of amiloride to a Na+ containing medium or the substitution of choline for Na+ did not inhibit stimulated phosphatidylcholine secretion. We conclude that pHi regulation in rat alveolar type II cells is in part mediated by an amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ antiporter, but this system appears not to be involved in TPA- or terbutaline-induced pulmonary surfactant secretion in primary culture.     

Na+-independent Cl(-)-HCO-3- exchange in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Role in intracellular pH regulation

The role of plasma membrane Cl(-)-HCO-3-exchange in regulating intracellular pH (pHi) was examined in Madin-Darby canine kidney cell monolayers. In cells bathed in 25 mM HCO-3, pH 7.4, steady state pHi was 7.10 +/- 0.03 (n = 14) measured with the fluorescent pH probe 2',7'-biscarboxyethyl-5,6-carboxyfluorescein. Following acute alkaline loading, pHi recovered exponentially in approximately 4 min. The recovery rate was significantly decreased by Cl- or HCO-3 removal and in the presence of 50 microM 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulfonic stilbene (DIDS). Na+ removal or 10(-3) M amiloride did not inhibit the pHi recovery rate after an acute alkaline load. Following acute intracellular acidification, the pHi recovery rate was significantly inhibited by 10(-3) M amiloride but was not altered by Cl- removal or 50 microM DIDS. At an extracellular pH (pHo) of 7.4, pHi remained unchanged when the cells were bathed in either Cl- free media, HCO-3 free media, or in the presence of 50 microM DIDS. As pHo was increased to 8.0, steady state pHi was significantly greater than control in Cl(-)-free media and in the presence of 50 microM DIDS. It is concluded that Madin-Darby canine kidney cells possess a Na+-independent Cl(-)-HCO-3 exchanger with a Km for external Cl- of approximately 6 mM. The exchanger plays an important role in pHi regulation following an elevation of pHi above approximately 7.1. Recovery of pHi following intracellular acidification is mediated by the Na+/H+ antiporter and not the anion exchanger.     

Evidence of alpha 1-adrenergic----protein kinase C----Na+/H+ antiporter-dependent increase in pinealocyte intracellular pH. Role in the adrenergic stimulation of cGMP accumulation

The regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) in isolated rat pinealocytes was studied using the fluorescent pH indicator 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein. Resting pHi was 7.09 when the extracellular pH (pHe) was 7.2. Treatment of pinealocytes with the physiological regulator of pineal function, norepinephrine, resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in pHi. Further analysis indicated that norepinephrine is probably acting via an alpha 1-adrenergic----[Ca2+]i----Ca2+/phospholipid- dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) mechanism to activate the Na+/H+ antiporter, thereby causing cytoplasmic alkalization. A potential influence of cytosolic alkalization on the responsiveness of cyclic nucleotides to adrenergic agonists was also studied. Five analogs of the antiporter inhibitor amiloride reduced norepinephrine stimulation of cGMP accumulation with the same relative potency as they act on the antiporter. In contrast, although inhibitory effects of these compounds on cAMP accumulation were detectable, they occurred at 10-100-fold higher concentrations, and the relative potency of these inhibitors did not indicate they were acting via the antiporter. These findings provide evidence that 1) alpha 1-adrenergic receptor activation increases pinealocyte pHi through Ca2+----protein kinase C-dependent activation of the Na+/H+ antiporter; and 2) norepinephrine stimulation of cGMP accumulation is pHi-dependent. It would appear that alpha 1-adrenergic regulation of pHi via the Na+/H+ antiporter may be of general importance in the control of cGMP accumulation.     

The mammalian Na+/H+ antiporters NHE-1, NHE-2, and NHE-3 are electroneutral and voltage independent,but can couple to an H+ conductance

Na+/H+ exchange in vertebrates is thought to be electroneutral and insensitive to the membrane voltage. This basic concept has been challenged by recent reports of antiport-associated currents in the turtle colon epithelium (Post and Dawson, 1992, 1994). To determine the electrogenicity of mammalian antiporters, we used the whole-cell patch clamp technique combined with microfluorimetric measurements of intracellular pH (pHi). In murine macrophages, which were found by RT- PCR to express the NHE-1 isoform of the antiporter, reverse (intracellular Na(+)-driven) Na+/H+ exchange caused a cytosolic acidification and activated an outward current, whereas forward (extracellular Na(+)-driven) exchange produced a cytosolic alkalinization and reduced a basal outward current. The currents mirrored the changes in pHi, were strictly dependent on the presence of a Na+ gradient and were reversibly blocked by amiloride. However, the currents were seemingly not carried by the Na+/H+ exchanger itself, but were instead due to a shift in the voltage dependence of a preexisting H+ conductance. This was supported by measurements of the reversal potential (Erev) of tail currents, which identified H+ (equivalents) as the charge carrier. During Na+/H+ exchange, Erev changed along with the measured changes in pHi (by 60-69 mV/pH). Moreover, the current and Na+/H+ exchange could be dissociated. Zn2+, which inhibits the H+ conductance, reversibly blocked the currents without altering Na+/H+ exchange. In Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, which lack the H+ conductance, Na+/H+ exchange produced pHi changes that were not accompanied by transmembrane currents. Similar results were obtained in CHO cells transfected with either the NHE-1, NHE-2, or NHE-3 isoforms of the antiporter, indicating that exchange through these isoforms is electroneutral. In all the isoforms tested, the amplitude and time- course of the antiport-induced pHi changes were independent of the holding voltage. We conclude that mammalian NHE-1, NHE-2, and NHE-3 are electroneutral and voltage independent. In cells endowed with a pH- sensitive H+ conductance, such as macrophages, activation of Na(+)-H+ exchange can modulate a transmembrane H+ current. The currents reported in turtle colon might be due to a similar "cross-talk" between the antiporter and a H+ conductance.     

Lobster hepatopancreatic epithelial single cell suspensions as models for electrogenic sodium-proton exchange

Sodium-proton antiporters, also called Na+/H+ exchangers (NHE), are vital transmembrane proteins involved in multiple cellular functions including transepithelial ion transport and Na+ homeostasis of cells throughout the biological kingdom. Na+/H+ exchange is accelerated by cytosolic acidification and also by osmotically induced cell shrinking, thereby promoting recovery of the physiological pHi and volume. Eight isoforms of Na+/H+ exchangers have been cloned and characterized to date and share the same overall structure, but exhibit differences with respect to cellular localization, kinetic variables and plasma membrane targeting, in polarized epithelial cells. The electrogenic Na+ absorption across tight epithelia from invertebrates follow significantly different principles from the electroneutral Na+/H+ antiporter found in vertebrates. In all invertebrate cells examined, the antiporter displayed a 2Na+/1H+ transport stoichiometry and this transport was markedly inhibited by exogenous calcium and zinc. Na+/H+ exchangers (NHE) are present in crustacean hepatopancreatic cell type suspensions and are believed to function in acid-base regulation by driving the extrusion of protons across the hepatopancreatic epithelium in exchange for Na+ in the sea water. A brief review of current knowledge about Na+/H+ exchangers has been presented. In addition, understanding of hepatopancreatic Na+/H+ exchange is described as obtained after isolation of purified E-, R-, F- and B-cell suspensions from the whole organ by centrifugal elutriation.     

Role of monocarboxylic acid transport in intracellular pH regulation of isolated proximal cells

Isolated proximal cells were prepared from rabbit kidney cortex by mechanical dissociation. The intracytoplasmic pH (pHi) was measured in HCO3(-)-free media (external pH (pHe), 7.3) using the fluorescent dye 2,7-biscarboxyethyl-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). Cells were acid-loaded by the nigericin technique. Addition of 70 mM Na+ to the cells caused a rapid pHi recovery, which was blocked by 0.5 mM amiloride. When the cells were exposed to 5 mM sodium butyrate in the presence of 1 mM amiloride, the H+ efflux was significantly increased and followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Increasing pHe from 6.4 to 7.6 at a constant pHi of 6.4 enhanced the butyrate activation of the H+ efflux. Increasing pHi from 6.5 to 7.2 at a constant pHe of 7.2 reduced the butyrate effect. 22Na uptake experiments in the presence of 1 mM amiloride showed that 1.5 mM butyrate increased the Na+ flux in the proximal cells (pHi 7.10). The efficiency of monocarboxylic anions in promoting a pHi recovery increased with the length of their straight chain (acetate less than propionate less than butyrate less than valerate). The data show that when the Na+/H+ antiporter is blocked, the proximal cells can regulate their pHi by a Na+-coupled absorption of butyrate followed by non-ionic diffusion of butyric acid out of the cell and probably also by OH- influx by means of the OH-/anion exchanger.     

Intracellular pH and cell adhesion to solid substrate

It was shown that activation of the Na+/H+ antiporter resulting in an increase of intracellular pH (pHi) by 0.2-0.3 is a necessary stage of cell stimulation by soluble growth factors. Solid substrate can also be formally regarded as a growth factor since adhesion stimulates proliferation of various cell types. In the present study we have found that the attachment of mouse embryo fibroblasts to solid substrate is followed by an increase of pHi by approx. 0.3 units. pH shift occurs after the cell attaches to the substrate and is obligatory for cell spreading. The evidence for Na+/H+ antiporter involvement in the increase of pHi in substrate-attached cells is presented. It is suggested that signals for cell proliferation by chemical (soluble ligands) and physical (solid substrate) growth factors are transmitted similarly.     

Alpha 2-adrenergic receptors accelerate Na+/H+ exchange in neuroblastoma X glioma cells

The regulation of cytoplasmic pH (pHi) was examined in neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cell-line cells (NG108-15 cells) using 2,7-biscarboxyethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein. The pHi of NG108-15 cells suspended in nominally HCO-3-free, Na+-containing buffer could be reduced by the external application of acetate. The recovery of pHi to its resting value was blocked by the removal of extracellular Na+, by the addition of extra-cellular H+, and by the addition of analogs of amiloride selective for inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange. The rate of recovery of pHi from acid load exhibited an ionic selectivity of Na+ greater than Li+ much greater than K+, and no recovery was observed in N-methyl-D-glucamine+. Tetrodotoxin and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid had no effect on early pHi recovery. These data suggest that Na+/H+ exchange accounts primarily for the recovery of pHi in NG108-15 cells under our experimental conditions. Na+/H+ exchange in NG108-15 cells was accelerated by alpha 2-adrenergic receptors. Thus, (-)epinephrine, but not (+)epinephrine, elicited an intracellular alkalinization which was blocked by the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor selective antagonist yohimbine but not by the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, prazosin, nor the beta-adrenergic antagonist, propranolol. Norepinephrine, clonidine, and the clonidine analog, UK-14304, also caused alkalinization of NG108-15 cells, whereas isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist, and phenylephrine, a selective alpha 1-adrenergic receptor agonist, did not. Manipulations that blocked Na+/H+ exchange blocked the ability of alpha 2-adrenergic agonists to alkalinize the interior of NG108-15 cells without blocking the ability of these agonists to attenuate cAMP accumulation. These findings provide the first direct evidence of modulation of Na+/H+ exchange activity by a receptor linked to inhibition of adenylate cyclase and offer a possible mechanism whereby alpha 2-adrenergic receptors might influence cellular activity apart from changes in cyclic nucleotide metabolism.     

Bicarbonate determines cytoplasmic pH and suppresses mitogen-induced alkalinization in fibroblastic cells

Addition of growth factors to responsive cells in HCO3- -free media results in a rapid rise in cytoplasmic pH (pHi) caused by activation of Na+/H+ exchange. In this paper, we have examined how pHi regulation and growth factor responsiveness are affected by HCO3(-)using quiescent mouse MES-1 fibroblastic cells as a model. When cells are exposed to 25 mM HCO3-, 5% CO2, steady-state pHi reaches a new more alkaline level (by 0.25 unit) within 10 min. This rise in pHi is both Na+- and HCO3- -dependent, does not occur in Cl(-)-depleted cells, and is inhibited by 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, but not by 5-(n,n-dimethyl)-amiloride, indicating the involvement of Na+-dependent HCO3-/Cl- exchange. Furthermore, the recovery of pHi from acute acid loads is accelerated by HCO3- in a Na+-dependent and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid-sensitive manner and is blocked in Cl(-) -depleted cells. Similar results were obtained for mouse 3T3 cells and human fibroblasts. In the presence of HCO3-/CO2 (pH 7.35), mitogens and phorbol esters fail to induce a detectable rise in pHi. However, when steady-state pHi is artificially lowered by approximately 0.4 unit, growth factors evoke significant increases in pHi due to activation of Na+/H+ exchange. In the absence of HCO3-, mitogen-induced alkalinizations are readily detectable but not when pHi is artificially elevated to the value normally observed in HCO3- media. From these results we conclude that: 1) Na+-dependent HCO3-/Cl- exchange determines steady-state pHi and acts in parallel with Na+/H+ exchange to stimulate pHi recovery from acid loading; 2) Na+-dependent HCO3-/Cl- exchange raises steady-state pHi to a level beyond the operating range of the Na+/H+ exchanger and thereby prevents growth factors from alkalinizing the cytoplasm any further. The results also imply that, unlike Na+/H+ exchange, Na+-dependent HCO3-/Cl- exchange is not activated by mitogens.     

Deficient protein kinase C-dependent Na+/H+ exchanger activity in T cells from bone marrow transplantation recipients

The early Na+/H+ exchanger-mediated alkalinization of intracellular pH (pHi) was analyzed in peripheral blood T cells from 23 bone marrow transplantation (BMT) recipients (17 allogeneic and 6 autologous) and a group of 13 healthy controls, in response to stimulation of protein kinase C (PKC) with a phorbol ester. In parallel we evaluated the proliferative response of peripheral blood T cells to an anti-CD3 mAb in the presence of either IL-2 or PMA. The pHi increase (delta pHi) observed in control samples ranged from 0.14 to 0.23 pH units (X +/- SD = 0.17 +/- 0.03). In 10 allogeneic and four autologous BMT recipients the delta pHi was under the lower limit of the control range (range: 0.01 to 0.09, X +/- SD = 0.05 +/- 0.02), whereas the remaining nine cases responded similarly to control samples (range: 0.14 to 0.24, X +/- SD = 0.17 +/- 0.04). The response of the Na+/H+ antiporter to a PKC-independent osmotic stimulation appeared to be normal, thus indicating that the intrinsic Na+/H+ exchanger activity was unaltered. The anti-CD3 induced proliferative response of the group of samples displaying a suboptimal delta pHi, was significantly lower (p less than 0.01) than that detected in control samples. T cell proliferation in samples from BMT recipients displaying a normal delta pHi was undistinguishable from the control group (p greater than 0.05). Our results provide the first evidence for a defective early metabolic event, closely related to PKC activity, in T cells from BMT recipients displaying a low proliferative response to T cell mitogens.     

Intracellular pH-regulatory mechanisms in pancreatic acinar cells. I. Characterization of H+ and HCO3- transporters

Rat pancreatic acini loaded with the pH sensitive fluorescent dye 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein were used to characterize intracellular pH (pHi) regulatory mechanisms in these cells. The acini were attached to cover slips and continuously perfused. In 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES)-buffered solutions recovery from acid load (H+ efflux) required extracellular Na+ (Na+out) and was blocked by amiloride. Likewise, H+ influx initiated by removal of Na+out was blocked by amiloride. Hence, in HEPES-buffered medium the major operative pHi regulatory mechanism is a Na+/H+ exchange. In HCO3(-)-buffered medium, amiloride only partially blocked recovery from acid load and acidification due to Na+out removal. The remaining fraction required Na+out, was inhibited by H2-4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfunic acid (H2DIDS) and was independent of C1-. Hence, a transporter with characteristics of a Na(+)-HCO3- cotransport exists in pancreatic acini. Measurement of pHi changes due to Na(+)-HCO3- cotransport, suggests that the transporter contributes to HCO3- efflux under physiological conditions. Changing the Cl- gradient across the plasma membrane of acini maintained in HCO3(-)-buffered solutions reveals the presence of an H2DIDS-sensitive, Na(+)-independent, Cl(-)-dependent, HCO3- transporter with characteristics of a Cl-/HCO3- exchanger. In pancreatic acini the exchanger transports HCO3- but not OH- and under physiological conditions functions to remove HCO3- from the cytosol. In summary, only the Na+/H+ exchanger is functional in HEPES-buffered medium to maintain pHi at 7.28 +/- 0.03. In the presence of 25 mM HCO3- at pHo of 7.4, all the transporters operate simultaneously to maintain a steady-state pHi of 7.13 +/- 0.04.     

Regulation of cytoplasmic pH in resident and activated peritoneal macrophages

Cytoplasmic pH (pHi) has been shown to be an important determinant of the activity of the NADPH oxidase in phagocytic cells. We hypothesized that a difference in pHi and/or its regulation existed between activated and resident macrophages (RES MOs) which might explain the increased NADPH oxidase activity observed in the former. The pHi of RES and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-elicited MOs was examined using the fluorescent dye BCECF. Resting pHi did not differ between resident (RES) and elicited (ELI) MOs (7.16 +/- 0.05 and 7.20 +/- 0.05, respectively). pHi recovery after intracellular acid loading was partially dependent on the presence of Na+ in the extracellular medium, and was partially inhibited by the Na+/H+ antiport inhibitor, amiloride. At comparable pHi, the rate of acid extrusion during recovery was not different in RES and ELI MOs (1.48 +/- 0.12 and 1.53 +/- 0.06 mM/min, respectively). In both RES and ELI MOs, approx. 40% of total pHi recovery was insensitive to amiloride and independent of extracellular Na+. In both RES and ELI MOs, stimulation with TPA resulted in a biphasic pHi response: an initial acidification followed by a sustained alkalinization to a new steady-state pHi. This alkalinization was Na(+)-dependent and amiloride-sensitive, consistent with a TPA-induced increase in Na+/H+ antiport activity. The new steady-state pHi attained after TPA stimulation was equivalent in RES and ELI MOs (7.28 +/- 0.04 and 7.31 +/- 0.06, respectively), indicating comparable stimulated Na+/H+ antiport activity. However, the initial acidification induced by TPA was greater in ELI than in RES MOs (0.18 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.06 +/- 0.02 pH unit, respectively, P less than 0.05). The specific NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium (DPI) completely inhibited the respiratory burst but reduced the magnitude of this pHi reduction by only about 50%. This suggested that the TPA-induced pHi reduction was due in part to acid produced via the respiratory burst, and in part to other acid-generating pathways stimulated by TPA.     

H+ extrusion by an apical vacuolar-type H+-ATPase in rat renal proximal tubules

The activity of Na+/H(+)-exchange and H(+)-ATPase was measured in the absence of CO2/HCO3 by microfluorometry at the single cell level in rat proximal tubules (superficial S1/S2 segments) loaded with BCECF [2'7'-bis(carboxyethyl)5-6-carboxyfluorescein- acetoxymethylester]. Intracellular pH (pHi) was lowered by a NH4Cl-prepulse technique. In the absence of Na+ in the superfusion solutions, pHi recovered from the acid load by a mechanism inhibited by 0.1 microM bafilomycin A1, a specific inhibitor of a vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPase. Readdition of Na+ in the presence of bafilomycin A1 produced an immediate recovery of pHi by a mechanism sensitive to the addition of 10 microM EIPA (ethylisopropylamiloride), a specific inhibitor of Na+/H+ exchange. The transport rate of the H(+)-ATPase is about 40% of Na+/H(+)-exchange activity at a similar pHi (0.218 +/- 0.028 vs. 0.507 +/- 0.056 pH unit/min. Pre-exposure of the tubules to 30 mM fructose, 0.5 mM iodoacetate and 1 mM KCN (to deplete intracellular ATP) prevented a pHi recovery in Na(+)-free media; readdition of Na+ led to an immediate pHi recovery. Tubules pre-exposed to Cl(-)-free media for 2 hr also reduced the rate of Na(+)-independent pHi recovery. In free-flow electrophoretic separations of brush border membranes and basolateral membranes, a bafilomycin A1-sensitive ATPase activity was found to be associated with the brush border membrane fraction; half maximal inhibition is at 6 x 10(-10) M bafilomycin A1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The Na+/H+ exchanger is constitutively activated in P19 embryonal carcinoma cells, but not in a differentiated derivative. Responsiveness to growth factors and other stimuli

We have examined the functional properties and growth factor responsiveness of the plasma membrane Na+/H+ exchanger in pluripotent P19 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells and in a differentiated mesodermal derivative (MES-1) by analyzing the recovery of cytoplasmic pH (pHi) from an acute acid load under bicarbonate-free conditions. In the absence of exogenous growth factors, the mean steady-state pHi of undifferentiated P19 cells (7.49 +/- 0.03) is 0.55 unit higher than the value of differentiated MES-1 cells (6.94 +/- 0.01). In both cell types, recovery of pHi from an NH+4-induced acid load follows an exponential time course and is entirely mediated by the amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ exchanger in the plasma membrane. Kinetic analysis indicates that the higher steady-state pHi in P19 EC cells is due to an alkaline shift in the pHi sensitivity of the Na+/H+ exchange rate, as compared to that in MES-1 cells. The Na+/H+ exchanger of MES-1 cells is responsive to epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, serum, phorbol esters, and diacylglycerol, as shown by a rapid amiloride-sensitive rise in pHi of 0.15-0.35 unit. This mitogen-induced alkalinization is attributable to an alteration in the pHi sensitivity of the exchanger. In contrast, the Na+/H+ exchanger of P19 EC cells fails to respond to any of these stimuli. Similarly, hypertonic medium rapidly activates the Na+/H+ exchanger in MES-1, but not in P19 EC cells. We conclude that the Na+/H+ exchanger in undifferentiated P19 EC stem cells is maintained in a fully activated state which is unaffected by extracellular stimuli, as if signal pathways normally involved in growth factor action are constitutively operative.