Molecular and cellular characterization of a water-channel protein,AQP-h3, specifically expressed in the frog ventral skin

The Ca2+ content of pancreatic juice is closely regulated by yet unknown mechanisms. One aim of the present study was to find whether rat pancreatic ducts have a Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, as found in some Ca2+ transporting epithelia. Another aim was to establish whether the exchanger is regulated by hormones/agonists affecting pancreatic secretion. Whole pancreas, pure pancreatic acini and ducts were obtained from rats and used for RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry and intracellular Ca2+ measurements using Fura-2. RT-PCR analysis indicated Na+/Ca2+-exchanger isoforms NCX1.3 and NCX1.7 in acini and pancreas. Western blot with NCX1 antibody identified bands of 70, 120 and 150 kDa in isolated ducts, acini and pancreas. Immunofluorescence experiments showed the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger on the basolateral membrane of acini and small intercalated/intralobular ducts, but in larger intralobular/extralobular ducts the exchanger was predominantly on the luminal membrane. Na+/Ca2+ exchange in ducts was monitored by changes in intracellular Ca2+ activity upon reversal of the Na+ gradient. Secretin (1 nM) and carbachol (1 mM) reduced Na+/Ca2+ exchange by 40% and 51%, respectively. Insulin (1 nM) increased Na+/Ca2+ exchange by 230% within 5 min. The present study shows that pancreatic ducts express the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. Its distinct localization along the ductal tree and regulation by secretin, carbachol and insulin indicate that ducts might be involved in regulation of Ca2+ concentrations in pancreatic juice.     

Octanol blocks fluid secretion by inhibition of capacitative calcium entry in rat mandibular salivary acinar cells

The aliphatic alcohol octanol is thought to modulate enzyme secretion from the exocrine pancreas by the inhibition of gap junction permeability. We have now investigated the effects of octanol on salivary secretion and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), measured in isolated perfused rat mandibular glands and in isolated mandibular acinar cells respectively. Stimulation of perfused glands with 10 microM carbachol (CCh) evoked a rapid increase in fluid secretion followed by a decrease to a sustained elevated level. Application of 1 mM octanol during CCh stimulation inhibited fluid secretion reversibly. In isolated acini, the CCh-induced [Ca2+]i increase was reversibly inhibited by the same concentration of octanol. However, octanol also inhibited the increase in [Ca2+]i in single acinar cells where gap junctions were no longer functional, indicating that octanol directly affected the intracellular Ca2+ signalling pathway. The initial increase in [Ca2+]i induced by 0.5-10 microM CCh, which is due to Ca2+ release from IP3-sensitive Ca2+ stores, was not affected by pretreatment with octanol. In contrast, CCh-, phenylephrine- or thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ entry was almost completely and reversibly inhibited by octanol. Octanol also blocked agonist-evoked Ca2+ entry in pancreatic acinar cells, and thapsigargin-evoked Ca2+ entry in fibroblasts. These data strongly suggest that octanol blocks salivary secretion from mandibular gland by the inhibition of capacitative Ca2+ entry, and raise the possibility that octanol may be a useful tool for inhibiting agonist-evoked Ca2+ entry pathways.     

Critical role for NHE1 in intracellular pH regulation in pancreatic acinar cells

The primary function of pancreatic acinar cells is to secrete digestive enzymes together with a NaCl-rich primary fluid which is later greatly supplemented and modified by the pancreatic duct. A Na+/H+ exchanger(s) [NHE(s)] is proposed to be integral in the process of fluid secretion both in terms of the transcellular flux of Na+ and intracellular pH (pHi) regulation. Multiple NHE isoforms have been identified in pancreatic tissue, but little is known about their individual functions in acinar cells. The Na+/H+ exchange inhibitor 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl) amiloride completely blocked pHi recovery after an NH4Cl-induced acid challenge, confirming a general role for NHE in pHi regulation. The targeted disruption of the Nhe1 gene also completely abolished pHi recovery from an acid load in pancreatic acini in both HCO3--containing and HCO3--free solutions. In contrast, the disruption of either Nhe2 or Nhe3 had no effect on pHi recovery. In addition, NHE1 activity was upregulated in response to muscarinic stimulation in wild-type mice but not in NHE1-deficient mice. Fluctuations in pHi could potentially have major effects on Ca2+ signaling following secretagogue stimulation; however, the targeted disruption of Nhe1 was found to have no significant effect on intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. These data demonstrate that NHE1 is the major regulator of pHi in both resting and muscarinic agonist-stimulated pancreatic acinar cells.     

Ca2+-activated Cl- channels can substitute for CFTR in stimulation of pancreatic duct bicarbonate secretion.

This study addresses the mechanisms by which a defect in CFTR impairs pancreatic duct bicarbonate secretion in cystic fibrosis. We used control (PANC-1) and CFTR-deficient (CFPAC-1; DeltaF508 mutation) cell lines and measured HCO3- extrusion by the rate of recovery of intracellular pH after an alkaline load and recorded whole cell membrane currents using patch clamp techniques. 1) In PANC-1 cells, cAMP causes parallel activation of Cl- channels and of HCO3- extrusion by DIDS-sensitive and Na+-independent Cl-/HCO3- exchange, both effects being inhibited by Cl- channel blockers NPPB and glibenclamide. 2) In CFPAC-1 cells, cAMP fails to stimulate Cl-/HCO3- exchange and Cl- channels, except after promoting surface expression of DeltaF508-CFTR by glycerol treatment. Instead, raising intracellular Ca2+ concentration to 1 micromol/l or stimulating purinergic receptors with ATP (10 and 100 micromol/l) leads to parallel activation of Cl- channels and HCO3- extrusion. 3) K+ channel function is required for coupling cAMP- and Ca2+-dependent Cl- channel activation to effective stimulation of Cl-/HCO3- exchange in control and CF cells, respectively. It is concluded that stimulation of pancreatic duct bicarbonate secretion via Cl-/HCO3- exchange is directly correlated to activation of apical membrane Cl- channels. Reduced bicarbonate secretion in cystic fibrosis results from defective cAMP-activated Cl- channels. This defect is partially compensated for by an increased sensitivity of CF cells to purinergic stimulation and by alternative activation of Ca2+-dependent Cl- channels, mechanisms of interest with respect to possible treatment of cystic fibrosis and of related chronic pancreatic diseases.     

Calcium-sensing receptor mediates phenylalanine-induced cholecystokinin secretion in enteroendocrine STC-1 cells

Intraluminal L-phenylalanine (Phe) stimulates cholecystokinin (CCK) secretion in vivo and in vitro. However, the cellular mechanism by which CCK-producing enteroendocrine cells sense Phe is unknown. The calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) can sense amino acids, and is expressed in the gastrointestinal tract. In the present study, we examined whether CaR functions as a receptor for Phe in CCK-producing enteroendocrine cells. CCK secretion and intracellular Ca2+ concentration in response to Phe were measured in the murine CCK-producing enteroendocrine cell line STC-1 at various extracellular Ca2+ concentrations or after treatment with a CaR antagonist. At more than 20 mm, Phe induced dose-dependent CCK secretion and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in STC-1 cells. In the presence of 3.0 mm extracellular Ca2+, 10 and 20 mm Phe induced significantly higher CCK secretion than under normal conditions (1.2 mm extracellular Ca2+). Intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, induced by 10 or 20 mm Phe, was also enhanced by increasing extracellular Ca2+ concentrations. In addition, intracellular Ca2+ mobilization induced by addition of extracellular Ca2+ was augmented by the presence of Phe. These results closely match the known CaR properties. Treatment with a specific CaR antagonist (NPS2143) completely inhibited Phe-induced CCK secretion and the latter phase of intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. CaR mRNA expression was demonstrated by RT-PCR in STC-1 cells, as well as in other mouse tissues including the kidney, thyroid, stomach and intestine. In conclusion, CaR functions as a receptor for Phe, stimulating CCK secretion in enteroendocrine STC-1 cells.     

Mechanism of Ca2+ wave propagation in pancreatic acinar cells.

An increase in cytosolic Ca2+ often begins as a Ca2+ wave, and this wave is thought to result from sequential activation of Ca(2+)-sensitive Ca2+ stores across the cell. We tested that hypothesis in pancreatic acinar cells, and since Ca2+ waves may regulate acinar Cl- secretion, we examined whether such waves also are important for amylase secretion. Ca2+ wave speed and direction was determined in individual cells within rat pancreatic acini using confocal line scanning microscopy. Both acetylcholine (ACh) and cholecystokinin-8 induced rapid Ca2+ waves which usually travelled in an apical-to-basal direction. Both caffeine and ryanodine, at concentrations that inhibit Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release (CICR), markedly slowed the speed of these waves. Amylase secretion was increased over 3-fold in response to ACh stimulation, and this increase was preserved in the presence of ryanodine. These results indicate that 1) stimulation of either muscarinic or cholecystokinin-8 receptors induces apical-to-basal Ca2+ waves in pancreatic acinar cells, 2) the speed of such waves is dependent upon mobilization of caffeine- and ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ stores, and 3) ACh-induced amylase secretion is not inhibited by ryanodine. These observations provide direct evidence that Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release is important for propagation of cytosolic Ca2+ waves in pancreatic acinar cells.     

Phenylarsine oxide evokes intracellular calcium increases and amylase secretion in isolated rat pancreatic acinar cells

The effects of the thiol reagent, phenylarsine oxide (PAO, 10(-5)-10(-3) M ), a membrane-permeable trivalent arsenical compound that specifically complexes vicinal sulfhydryl groups of proteins to form stable ring structures, were studied by monitoring intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and amylase secretion in collagenase dispersed rat pancreatic acinar cells. PAO increased [Ca2+]i by mobilizing calcium from intracellular stores, since this increase was observed in the absence of extracellular calcium. PAO also prevented the CCK-8-induced signal of [Ca2+]i and inhibited the oscillatory pattern initiated by aluminium fluoride (AlF-4). In addition to the effects of PAO on calcium mobilization, it caused a significant increase in amylase secretion and reduced the secretory response to either CCK-8 or AlF-4. The effects of PAO on both [Ca2+]i and amylase release were reversed by the sulfhydryl reducing agent, dithiothreitol (2 mM). Pretreatment of acinar cells with high concentration of ryanodine (50 microM) reduced the PAO-evoked calcium release. However, PAO was still able to release a small fraction of Ca2+ from acinar cells in which agonist-releasable Ca2+ pools had been previously depleted by thapsigargin (0.5 microM) and ryanodine receptors were blocked by 50 microM ryanodine. We conclude that, in pancreatic acinar cells, PAO mainly releases Ca2+ from the ryanodine-sensitive calcium pool and consequently induces amylase secretion. These effects are likely to be due to the oxidizing effects of this compound.     

Pancreatic amylase secretion and cytoplasmic free calcium. Effects of ionomycin, phorbol dibutyrate and diacylglycerols alone and in combination.

Both protein kinase C and Ca2+ may act in concert to bring about activation of secretion. This study examined the actions on pancreatic acini of ionomycin and phorbol dibutyrate, which selectively stimulate one or the other of these pathways; their stimulatory effects were compared with those of receptor agonists, such as carbachol and caerulein, which activate phospholipase C. The Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin produced a dose-dependent increase in amylase secretion and intracellular free Ca2+ (as measured by quin-2). The increase in amylase secretion elicited by carbachol or caerulein was accompanied by a small sustained increase in intracellular free Ca2+, following an initial peak. However, the elevation in intracellular free Ca2+ produced by these receptor agonists for a given level of amylase secretion was less than that observed with ionomycin. Phorbol dibutyrate stimulated amylase secretion by a mechanism that was independent of extracellular Ca2+, and no change in intracellular free Ca2+ was observed. Synergistic stimulatory effects of phorbol dibutyrate and ionomycin were observed, whether the phorbol ester was present before, or in combination with, ionomycin. Diacylglycerols containing unsaturated fatty acids (1,2-dioleoylglycerol and 1,3-dioleoylglycerol) also stimulated amylase secretion and exhibited synergistic effects on secretion with ionomycin. These findings suggest that complete activation of amylase secretion from the pancreas requires stimulation of both Ca2+-dependent and protein kinase C-activated pathways.     

Spatial and temporal distribution of agonist-evoked cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals in exocrine acinar cells analysed by digital image microscopy.

High resolution digital video imaging has been employed to monitor the spatial and temporal development of agonist-induced cytosolic Ca2+ signals in fura 2-loaded exocrine acinar cells. Enzymatically isolated mouse pancreatic and lacrimal acinar cells or small acinar cell clusters were used. These retain their morphological polarity so that the secretory granules in individual cells are located at one pole, the secretory pole. In acinar cell clusters the granules are located centrally, oriented to surround what would be in situ referred to as the lumen. In pancreatic and lacrimal acinar cells inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate-generating agonists [acetylcholine (ACh) and cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK) for the pancreas and ACh in the lacrimal gland] give rise to a rapidly spreading Ca2+ signal that is initiated at the secretory pole of the cells. The initial increase in [Ca2+]i in the luminal pole is independent of extracellular Ca2+ indicating that the earliest detectable intracellular Ca2+ release is specifically located at the secretory pole. In lacrimal acinar cells ATP acts as an extracellular agonist, independent of phosphoinositide metabolism to activate a receptor-operated calcium influx pathway which, as for ACh, gives rise firstly to an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration in the secretory pole. We propose that this polar rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration is due to Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release. By contrast, when Ca2+ release and Ca2+ influx are induced in the absence of receptor activation by thapsigargin and ionomycin, the Ca2+ signal develops diffusely and slowly with no localization to the secretory pole.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Involvement of cellular calcium in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency during streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus

This study investigates the effects of the islet hormones insulin (Ins), glucagon (Glu), and somatostatin (Som) with nerve stimulation (EFS) acetylcholine (ACh) and cholecytokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8) on amylase secretion and intracellular free calcium concentration [Ca(2+)](i) in the pancreas of age-matched control and diabetic rats. Either Ins, Glu or Som elicited small increases in amylase secretion from the pancreas of age-matched control animals compared to a much larger increase in amylase secretion with either EFS, ACh or CCK-8. Combining the islet hormones with either EFS, ACh or CCK-8 resulted in marked potentiation of amylase output. In the diabetic pancreas, the islet hormones had no effect on amylase secretion compared to diabetic control. Moreover, either EFS, ACh or CCK-8 evoked a much smaller increase in amylase output compared to age-matched control. In addition, the islet hormones failed to potentiate the secretory effects of either EFS, ACh or CCK-8. In fura-2 loaded acinar cells from age-matched control pancreas either Ins or Glu elicited a small increase in [Ca(2+)](i) whereas Som had no effect. Both ACh and CCK-8 evoked large increases in [Ca(2+)](i) compared to control. Combining either Ins, Glu or Som with either ACh or CCK-8 resulted in a marked elevation in [Ca(2+)](i) compared to the responses obtained with either the islet hormones, ACh or CCK-8 alone. In diabetic fura-2 loaded pancreatic acinar cells, the islet hormones had no effect on [Ca(2+)](i) compared to control and moreover, the responses were much smaller than those obtained in acinar cells from age-matched control. Both ACh and CCK-8 induced large increases in [Ca(2+)]( i) in diabetic acinar cells. However, combining the islet hormones with either ACh or CCK-8 failed to enhance [Ca(2+)](i) compared to the reponses obtained in acinar cells from age-matched control. The results suggests that [Ca(2+)](i) homeostasis is deranged during diabetes mellitus and this in turn is probably associated with reduced pancreatic amylase secretion.     

Effects of cholecystokinin on cytosolic calcium in human pancreatic cancer cells.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) has been shown to increase cytosolic calcium and stimulate enzyme release from pancreatic acinar cells and a rat acinar cell line, AR42J. CCK is also trophic to normal pancreas and pancreatic cancer; however, the cellular mechanisms which regulate CCK-stimulated growth are unknown. The effect of CCK on intracellular calcium was evaluated in four human pancreatic cancer cell lines known to grow in response to CCK but not secrete enzymes (SW-1990, MIA PaCa-2, BXPC-3 and PANC-1) and a rat acinar cell line (AR42J) shown to secrete enzymes but not grow with CCK. By using single cell fluorescence microscopy in fura-2 loaded cells, intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i was measured. After obtaining baseline fluorescent cell images, synthetic CCK-octapeptide (CCK8) was added to the cells and images of cell fluorescence captured. [Ca2+]i of the rat acinar cells increased (603%) over the baseline within the first minute after the addition of CCK (4.10(-13) M to 4.10(-10) M) in 77% of cells tested. In contrast [Ca2+]i failed to significantly change in the human cancer cells treated with CCK. To further localize the defect in hormone signal transduction in cancer cells, cells were suspended in low calcium media and the plasma membranes were selectively permeabilized with digitonin. Media free calcium concentration was continuously monitored by fura-2 fluorescence. Addition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) resulted in a marked increase in medium calcium concentration indicating IP3 was capable of releasing calcium from intracellular stores in both the AR42J rat acinar cell line and in the human pancreas cancer cell lines. In conclusion, CCK does not increase cytosolic calcium in human pancreatic cancer cells in contrast to rat acinar cells although all contain IP3-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ pools. Our results suggest that growth promoting and secretory effects of CCK on pancreatic cells may occur via two independent signalling pathways.     

Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange is acetazolamide sensitive and activated by a muscarinic receptor-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increase in salivary acinar cells

Large volumes of saliva are generated by transepithelial Cl(-) movement during parasympathetic muscarinic receptor stimulation. To gain further insight into a major Cl(-) uptake mechanism involved in this process, we have characterized the anion exchanger (AE) activity in mouse serous parotid and mucous sublingual salivary gland acinar cells. The AE activity in acinar cells was Na(+) independent, electroneutral, and sensitive to the anion exchange inhibitor DIDS, properties consistent with the AE members of the SLC4A gene family. Localization studies using a specific antibody to the ubiquitously expressed AE2 isoform labeled acini in both parotid and sublingual glands. Western blot analysis detected an approximately 170-kDa protein that was more highly expressed in the plasma membranes of sublingual than in parotid glands. Correspondingly, the DIDS-sensitive Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger activity was significantly greater in sublingual acinar cells. The carbonic anhydrase antagonist acetazolamide markedly inhibited, whereas muscarinic receptor stimulation enhanced, the Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger activity in acinar cells from both glands. Intracellular Ca(2+) chelation prevented muscarinic receptor-induced upregulation of the AE, whereas raising the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration with the Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin mimicked the effects of muscarinic receptor stimulation. In summary, carbonic anhydrase activity was essential for regulating Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange in salivary gland acinar cells. Moreover, muscarinic receptor stimulation enhanced AE activity through a Ca(2+)-dependent mechanism. Such forms of regulation may play important roles in modulating fluid and electrolyte secretion by salivary gland acinar cells.     

Secretin differentially sensitizes rat pancreatic acini to the effects of supramaximal stimulation with caerulein

Supramaximal stimulation of the rat pancreas with CCK, or its analog caerulein, triggers acute pancreatitis and a number of pancreatitis-associated acinar cell changes including intracellular activation of digestive enzyme zymogens and acinar cell injury. It is generally believed that some of these various acinar cell responses to supramaximal secretagogue stimulation are interrelated and interdependent. In a recent report, Lu et al. showed that secretin, by causing generation of cAMP and activation of PKA, sensitizes acinar cells to secretagogue-induced zymogen activation, and, as a result, submaximally stimulating concentrations of caerulein can, in the presence of secretin, trigger intracellular zymogen activation. We found that secretin also sensitizes acinar cells to secretagogue-induced cell injury and to subapical F-actin redistribution but that it did not alter the caerulein concentration dependence of other pancreatitis-associated changes such as the induction of a peak plateau intracellular [Ca(2+)] rise, inhibition of secretion, activation of ERK1/2, and activation of NF-kappaB. The finding that secretin sensitizes acinar cells to both intracellular zymogen activation and cell injury is consistent with the concept that these two early events in pancreatitis are closely interrelated and, possibly, interdependent. On the other hand, the finding that, in the presence of secretin, caerulein can trigger subapical F-actin redistribution without inhibiting secretion challenges the concept that disruption of the subapical F-actin web is causally related to high-dose secretagogue-induced inhibition of secretion in pancreatic acinar cells.     

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in the pig pancreas: role of VIPergic nerves in control of fluid and bicarbonate secretion

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in the pig pancreas is localized to nerves, many of which travel along the pancreatic ducts. VIP stimulates pancreatic fluid and bicarbonate secretion like secretin. Electrical vagal stimulation in the pig causes an atropine-resistant profuse secretion of bicarbonate-rich pancreatic juice. In an isolated perfused preparation of the pig pancreas with intact vagal nerve supply, electrical vagal stimulation caused an atropine-resistant release of VIP, which accurately parallelled the exocrine secretion of juice and bicarbonate. Perfusion of the pancreas with a potent VIP-antiserum inhibited the effect of vagal stimulation on the exocrine secretion. It is concluded, that VIP is responsible for (at least part of) the neurally controlled fluid and bicarbonate secretion from the pig pancreas.     

Acetylcholine-evoked increase in the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration and Ca2+ extrusion measured simultaneously in single mouse pancreatic acinar cells.

The intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([free Ca2+]i) was measured simultaneously with the Ca2+ extrusion from single isolated mouse pancreatic acinar cells placed in a microdroplet of extracellular solution using the fluorescent probes fura-2 and fluo-3. The extracellular solution had a low total calcium concentration (15-35 microM), and acetylcholine (ACh), applied by microionophoresis, therefore only evoked a transient elevation of [free Ca2+]i lasting about 2-5 min. The initial sharp rise in [free Ca2+]i from about 100 nM toward 0.5-1 microM was followed within seconds by an increase in the total calcium concentration in the microdroplet solution ([Ca]o). The rate of this rise of [Ca]o was dependent on the [free Ca2+]i elevation, and as [free Ca2+]i gradually decreased Ca2+ extrusion declined with the same time course. Ca2+ extrusion following ACh stimulation was not influenced by removal of all Na+ in the microdroplet solution indicating that the Ca2+ extrusion is not mediated by Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange but by the Ca2+ pump. The amount of Ca2+ extruded during the ACh-evoked transient rise in [free Ca2+]i corresponded to a decrease in the total intracellular Ca concentration of about 0.7 mM which is close to previously reported values (0.5-1 mM) for the total concentration of mobilizable calcium in these cells. Our results therefore demonstrate directly the ability of the Ca2+ pump to rapidly remove the large amount of Ca2+ released from the intracellular pools during receptor activation.     

The role of HCO3- and Na+/H+ exchange in the response of rat parotid acinar cells to muscarinic stimulation

The intracellular pH (pHi) of a rat parotid acinar preparation was monitored using the pH-sensitive fluorescent dye, 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein. Under resting (unstimulated) conditions both Na+/H+ exchange and CO2/HCO3- buffering contribute to the regulation of pHi. Muscarinic stimulation (carbachol) of the acini produced a gradual rise in pHi (approximately 0.1 unit by 10 min) possibly due to activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger. When the exchanger was blocked by amiloride or sodium removal, carbachol induced a dramatic (atropine inhibitable) decrease in pHi (approximately 0.4 pH unit with t1/2 approximately 0.5 min at 1 mM carbachol). The rate of this acidification was reduced by removal of exogenous HCO3- and by the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor methazolamide. Also, acini stimulated with carbachol in Cl- -free solutions showed a more pronounced acidification than in the corresponding Cl- -replete media. Taken together, these data indicate that the carbachol-induced acidification of rat parotid acinar cells unmasked by inhibition of the Na+/H+ exchanger is due to a rapid loss of intracellular HCO3-. Carbachol induced acidification was inhibited by the Cl- channel blocker diphenylamine 2-carboxylate but not by 4-acetomido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, an inhibitor of Cl-/HCO3- exchange. In addition, this acidification could not be sustained in Ca2+-free media and was totally blocked by chelation of intracellular Ca2+. Interpreted in terms of HCO3- loss, these results closely parallel the pattern of carbachol-induced Cl- release from this same preparation and indicate that HCO3- is secreted in response to muscarinic stimulation via the same or a very similar exit pathway, presumably an apical anion channel. Under normal physiological conditions the intracellular acidification resulting from HCO3- secretion is buffered by the Na+/H+ exchanger.     

Generation of ROS in response to CCK-8 stimulation in mouse pancreatic acinar cells

In the present study we have studied the changes in the intracellular reduction-oxidation state in mouse pancreatic acinar cells following stimulation with cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) and its dependence on Ca2+ mobilization. In our investigations cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were determined by loading of cells with fura-2 and CM-H2DCF-DA, respectively. Changes in these parameters were determined by following changes in fluorescence in the cuvette of a spectrofluorimeter. The results show that stimulation of cells with CCK-8 and/or the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor, thapsigargin (Tps), both induced changes in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration and led to an increase in fluorescence of CM-H2DCF-DA, reflecting an increase in oxidation. In the presence of Tps, addition of CCK-8 did not significantly increase fluorescence compared to that evoked by the SERCA inhibitor. Similar results were obtained in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ and in the presence of EGTA. When the cells were challenged in the presence of the intracellular Ca2+ chelator BAPTA and in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ the responses to both CCK-8 and Tps were reduced although not completely inhibited. The mitochondrial uncoupler carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxy-phenylhydrazone and the inhibitor of the electron transport chain, antimycin, evoked a marked increase in CM-H2DCF-DA fluorescence and completely inhibited CCK-8 and Tps-evoked responses, indicating that ROS are generated in the mitochondria. In summary, stimulation of mouse pancreatic acinar cells with CCK-8 leads to generation of ROS, and this effect may be derived from Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores and involves mitochondrial metabolism.     

The inhibitory pathways of pancreatic ductal bicarbonate secretion

Pancreatic duct cells secrete the HCO(3)(-) ions found in pancreatic juice. While the regulatory pathways that stimulate pancreatic ductal HCO(3)(-) secretion are well described, little is known about inhibitory pathways, apart from the fact that they exist. Nevertheless, such inhibitory pathways may be physiologically important in terms of limiting the hydrostatic pressure within the lumen of the duct, and in terms switching off pancreatic secretion after a meal. Methionine encephalin, insulin, somatostatin, peptide YY, substance P, basolaterally applied adenosine triphosphate, arginine vasopressin, 5-hydroxytryptamine and epidermal growth factor have all been shown to inhibit fluid and/or HCO(3)(-) secretion from pancreatic ducts. Importantly, most of these inhibitors have been shown to reduce secretion in isolated pancreatic ducts, so they must act directly on the ductal epithelium. This brief review provides an overview of our current knowledge of the inhibitors, and inhibitory pathways of pancreatic ductal secretion. SIGNALLING NETWORK FACTS: Methionine encephalin, insulin, somatostatin, peptide YY, substance P, basolaterally applied adenosine triphosphate, arginine vasopressin, 5-hydroxytryptamine and epidermal growth factor have all been shown to inhibit fluid and/or HCO(3)(-) secretion from pancreatic ducts. The inhibition of pancreatic secretion can be mediated by indirect (decreased cholinergic or increased adrenergic stimulation, decreased release of stimulatory hormones) and direct (inhibitory hormone or neurotransmitter acting on the duct cells) mechanisms.