甲氧基黄酮类化合物对囊性纤维化跨膜电导调节因子的激活作用

囊性纤维化跨膜电导调节因子(CFTR)是一种c AMP依赖的Cl-通道蛋白,其在上皮液体分泌过程中具有重要作用。本研究组在前期工作中观察到两种甲氧基黄酮类化合物3’,4’,5,5’,6,7-六甲氧基黄酮(HMF)和5-羟基-6,7,3’,4’-四甲氧基黄酮(HTF)能够有效地激活CFTR Cl-通道,但是作用机制尚不清楚。本研究旨在利用细胞荧光淬灭模型和短路电流技术系统研究HMF和HTF对CFTR Cl-通道的激活作用。荧光淬灭实验结果显示两种化合物均能以剂量依赖的方式激活CFTR Cl-通道,该激活作用具有快速、可逆的特点,可被CFTR特异性抑制剂CFTRinh-172完全抑制;引人注目的是,HMF(EC50=2μmol/L)是迄今发现的亲和力最高的黄酮类CFTR Cl-通道激活剂。HMF和HTF对CFTR Cl-通道的激活作用具毛喉素(forskolin,FSK)依赖特性,与FSK和3-异丁基-1-甲基黄嘌呤(3-Isobutyl-1-methylx,IBMX)的作用存在相加效应,但是与三羟基异黄酮(genistein,GEN)的作用之间不存在协同效应。离体组织研究结果显示,HMF和HTF能够显著促进大鼠结肠粘膜Cl-电流及小鼠气管粘膜下腺液体分泌。以上结果提示,HMF和HTF能够通过提高c AMP水平和直接与CFTR蛋白作用两条途径发挥CFTR Cl-通道激活作用。本研究为深入揭示黄酮类CFTR Cl-通道激活剂结构与功能之间的关系奠定了基础。     

气道上皮细胞在哮喘中的作用

随着现代医学的发展,人们对支气管哮喘发病机制的研究有了进一步发展.支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)是一种由多种细胞,多种细胞因子参与形成的慢性气道炎症性疾病.支气管上皮细胞是气道结构细胞,它是抵抗外界损伤因素的第一道防线,当吸人性刺激物质时,首先激化支气管上皮细胞并破坏支气管上皮细胞的正常结构和生理功能,在应激状态下的上皮细胞通过分泌炎性介质与自身细胞或其他气道结构细胞、炎性细胞、抗原递呈细胞等相互作用,积极参与哮喘的气道慢性炎症发生与发展进程.因此气道上皮损伤是影响哮喘发生发展的重要因素,阐明维持气道上皮正常结构和功能的分子机制是目前防治哮喘的重要课题.本文综述气道上皮在哮喘发生发展中的作用及相关机制研究进展.     

稻曲病菌厚垣孢子中cAMP提取条件优选

探究稻曲病菌(Ustiloginoidea virens(Cooke.) Takahashi)黑色(休眠)与黄色(非休眠)厚垣孢子中的环磷酸腺苷(cAMP)最佳提取条件,为进一步的研究cAMP功能奠定基础.采用超声-水浴法对cAMP进行浸提,按3因素3水平正交设计,用高效液相色谱法检测cAMP含量;在设定V(甲醇)∶V(0.05 mol/L KH2PO4)=20∶80、流速为0.8 mL/min、检测波长为254 nm、进样量为20 μL的条件下,以黄绿色厚垣孢子为提取样品,其提取cAMP效果最佳组合条件:超声破碎时间10 min(功率400 W、间歇时间2 s),水浴温度80℃,物料比为1∶100,提取的cAMP为6.827 6 μg/mL.在此最佳条件下,测定出黄色厚垣孢子的cAMP为12.805 0±0.533 2μg/mL,黑色厚垣孢子的cAMP为4.171 7±0.097 1μg/mL.此结果表明,由黄色转换为黑色,其厚垣孢子的cAMP含量显著降低.     

cAMP和cGMP对棉铃虫神经细胞高电压激活钙通道的调节作用

用全细胞膜片钳法研究了cAMP和cGMP对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera 3龄幼虫胸腹神经节细胞高电压激活钙通道的调节作用。细胞外液中加入腺苷酸环化酶（AC）激活剂福斯克林（forskolin） 0.1 mmol/L,对于Ba²⁺介导的钙通道电流激活电压、峰电压、峰电流变化以及通道激活和电流达到峰值的时间无影响。电极内液中加入1 mmol/L的cGMP则明显抑制峰电流,且抑制作用呈时间依赖性和浓度依赖性,而对激活电压、峰电压无影响。结果提示,棉铃虫神经细胞高电压激活钙通道的活动可能不受细胞内cAMP水平提高的影响,但被cGMP抑制。     

异育银鲫上皮瘤中黏液细胞类型、分布和分泌方式

采用苏木精.伊红(H.E)和阿利新蓝.过碘酸雪夫试剂(AB-PAS,AB染液pH 2.6)染色方法对异育银鲫(carassius auratus gibelio♀×Cyprinus carpio var.singuonensis♂)上皮瘤组织中黏液细胞的类型、分布、大小和分泌方式进行了研究.根据AB-PAS的染色结果,上皮瘤组织中黏液细胞分为4种类型:染成红色的I型黏液细胞,只含有PAS阳性的中性黏多糖;染成蓝色的Ⅱ型黏液细胞,只含有AB阳性的酸性黏多糖;染成紫红色的Ⅲ型黏液细胞,主要含有PAS阳性的中性黏多糖,同时含有少量AB阳性的酸性黏多糖;染成蓝紫色的Ⅳ型黏液细胞,主要含有AB阳性的酸性黏多糖.同时含有少量PAS阳性的中性黏多糖.Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型黏液细胞的数量相对较少,以分散状态分布于上皮瘤组织的上皮细胞之间,以其整个细胞破坏的全浆分泌方式进行分泌.Ⅲ型和Ⅳ型黏液细胞的数量较多,成团的形式分布在上皮瘤组织小叶中央,同样以整个细胞崩解死亡而消失的全浆分泌方式进行分泌.当患病鱼受到刺激时,Ⅲ型和Ⅳ型黏液细胞分泌十分旺盛,分泌物排出后覆盖在上皮瘤组织表面,形成白色的黏液层,黏液细胞崩解死亡消失后在上皮瘤组织中留下许多空洞.患病鱼黏液细胞中.Ⅲ型黏液细胞最大,大小为(19.02±3.21)μm×(14.42±2.69)μm;其次是Ⅳ型黏液细胞,大小为(15.97±3.31)μm×(12.96±2.81)μn;Ⅱ型黏液细胞较小,大小为(13.35±3.81)μm×(11.05±3.00)μm;Ⅰ型黏液细胞最小,大小为(11.73±2.45)μm×(7.71±0.97)μm.各类型黏液细胞的长轴之间及短轴之间均存在显著性差异(P＜0.05).     

β-连环素在维生素A缺乏及吸烟大鼠气道上皮鳞状化生中的作用

目的研究大鼠气道上皮鳞状化生时β-连环素(-βcatenin,-βcat)及其相关基因表达的变化,探讨-βcat与气道上皮鳞化及癌变的关系。方法采取缺乏VitA饲料饲养(12周)联合被动吸烟(4周)的方法建立支气管上皮鳞状化生模型,应用免疫组织化学(SABC法)和原位杂交技术研究-βcat、c-myc、增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)以及-βcat mR-NA在气道上皮的表达。结果实验组大鼠支气管上皮细胞层次明显增多,其中4只大鼠支气管上皮出现明显的复层鳞状上皮化生。实验组支气管上皮-βcat在胞膜的表达减少(P<0.01),其中有6例在细胞质表达。实验组与对照组胞质中β-cat mRNA表达无明显差异(P>0.05)。实验组支气管上皮细胞核c-myc表达增加(P<0.01),PCNA阳性率明显增加(P<0.01)。结论-βcat、c-myc的表达异常参与了VitA缺乏与吸烟所致的大鼠支气管上皮鳞状化生的形成。     

IL-17A对慢性阻塞性肺疾病的干预作用及其机制*

目的:探讨白细胞介素-17A(IL-17A)对慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)的干预作用及其机制。方法:C57BL/6小鼠随机分为野生型空白对照组、野生型COPD组和IL-7A敲除COPD组,每组20只。野生型空白对照组小鼠不做任何处理,其余两组小鼠暴露于香烟烟雾(1支/次,4次/日,每次45 min,每次间隔时间为1 h,总干预时间为90 d)制作COPD模型。干预结束24 h后,利用动物肺功能检测系统测定小鼠肺功能。收集小鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF),测定BALF细胞计数和分类。收集小鼠肺组织,采用流式细胞法测定气道上皮IL-17A表达水平,采用酶联免疫吸附法测定肺组织炎症因子水平。采用蛋白免疫印迹法测定小鼠肺组织JNK/AP1信号通路蛋白表达水平。结果:与野生型空白对照组小鼠比较,野生型COPD组小鼠气道上皮IL-17A表达水平明显升高,吸气峰流速(PIF)和呼气峰流速(PEF)明显降低,BALF中性粒细胞、嗜酸性粒细胞、淋巴细胞和巨噬细胞数明显升高,肺组织CXC类趋化因子1(CXCL1)、CXC类趋化因子2(CXCL2)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)和白细胞介素-6(IL-6)表达水平明显升高,JNK、cJun和cFos磷酸化水平及AP1表达水平明显升高(P＜0.05);与野生型COPD组小鼠比较,IL-7A敲除COPD组小鼠气道上皮IL-17A表达水平明显降低,PIF和PEF明显升高,BALF中性粒细胞、嗜酸性粒细胞、淋巴细胞和巨噬细胞数明显降低,肺组织CXCL1、CXCL2、IL-1β和IL-6表达水平明显降低,JNK、cJun和cFos磷酸化水平及AP1表达水平明显降低(P＜0.05)。结论:香烟烟雾可诱导小鼠气道上皮产生IL-17A,降低(或抑制)IL-17A的产生(或表达或分泌),通过抑制JNK/AP1信号通路,减轻COPD气道炎症反应,改善COPD小鼠肺功能。     

过表达XB130抑制哮喘小鼠气道高反应性和气道炎症

目的:研究XB130在哮喘小鼠气道高反应(airway hyperresponsiveness,AHR)和气道炎症中的作用。方法:36只C57小鼠分为4组:正常对照组(Control,CON)、哮喘组(Asthma,AS)、腺病毒载体组(Ad-vector+AS)和腺病毒过表达XB130组(Ad-XB130+AS)。采用卵白蛋白(ovalbumin,OVA)建立小鼠过敏性哮喘模型,后两组小鼠分别尾静脉注射Ad-vector和Ad-XB130。最后一次雾化吸入后24小时进行气道高反应试验,收集支气管灌洗液(bronchi alveolar lavage fluids,BALF)。采用RT-PCR和Western blotting方法检测XB130表达。ELISA法检测血清中OVA特异性Ig E的含量。直接计数法计算BALF中嗜酸性粒细胞(eosinophile granulocyte,EOS)数量。ELISA方法用于检测BALF和肺组织中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13和IFN-γ的分泌。结果:哮喘小鼠肺组织中XB130表达减少,过表达XB130其m RNA和蛋白表达水平显著升高。过表达XB130降低醋甲胆碱(methacholine,Mch)诱导的气道高反应。与载体对照组(48±3)相比,XB130过表达(17±4)EOS数量显著减少。同时,过表达XB130(0.051±0.002)较载体对照组(0.128±0.007)Ig E含量减少。此外,XB130抑制哮喘小鼠中IL-4、IL-5和IL-13并促进IFN-γ分泌。结论:过表达XB130可抑制哮喘模型小鼠气道高反应性和炎症反应。     

人早孕子宫蜕膜催乳素分泌的调节

子宫内膜蜕膜化对胚泡植入与妊娠维持是非常重要的。为探讨蜕膜化维持的调节机制 ,本文研究了妊娠早期人子宫蜕膜细胞催乳素 (PRL)分泌的调节。结果表明 :(1)孕酮显著地刺激PRL的分泌。 (2 )雌激素的作用与其浓度有关 ,生理浓度的雌激素对PRL分泌无明显影响 ,而高水平的雌激素抑制孕酮的刺激作用。合适的雌孕激素比例对蜕膜化的维持是必要的。 (3)RU486明显地抑制PRL的分泌 ,故认为孕酮的作用至少是部分通过受体介导的机制。 (4 )高浓度的cAMP (≥ 10 -5mol/L)显著增加PRL的分泌 ,cAMP信号系统可能在蜕膜化反应中发挥重要作用。     

口服柔嫩梭菌对OVA致敏小鼠气道炎症的影响

目的 在动物水平探索口服柔嫩梭菌(Clostridium leptum)对哮喘小鼠气道炎症的影响.方法 建立OVA致敏的BALB/c小鼠哮喘模型,依据检测气道炎症情况和气道反应性确定哮喘模型构建成功.30只BALB/c小鼠随机分为3组:正常对照组,安慰剂组和口服柔嫩梭菌治疗组,每组10只.通过HE染色检测小鼠肺组织病理变化,细胞计数检测肺泡灌洗液中炎性细胞(嗜酸性粒细胞、中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞、巨噬细胞)的数目,ELISA方法检测肺泡灌洗液中炎性因子(IL4、IL-5、IL-13)的表达情况,并检测各组小鼠的气道反应性.结果 验证OVA致敏哮喘小鼠模型构建成功;口服柔嫩梭菌可显著减轻OVA致敏小鼠的气道高反应性,气道炎症细胞浸润和炎性细胞因子分泌(P＜0.05).结论 口服柔嫩梭菌可显著减轻OVA致敏小鼠的气道炎症和气道高反应性,这可能为哮喘治疗提供新思路.     

Effect of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine on HCO3- transport in turtle bladder. Evidence for electrogenic HCO3- secretion

Ouabain-treated turtle bladders bathed on both surfaces by identical HCO3-/CO2-containing, Cl- -free Na+ media exhibit a short-circuit current (Isc) and transepithelial potential (p.d.) serosa electronegative to mucosa. Addition of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), an inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, rapidly reverses the direction of the Isc and p.d. The IBMX-induced reversal of Isc and p.d. is (1) dependent on the presence of HCO3- (and CO2) in the serosal bathing fluid, (2) independent of Na+ and other ions in the bathing medium, (3) decreased by inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase or oxidative metabolism, (4) increased by the serosal addition of cyclic AMP or the disulfonic stilbene, SITS. The results constitute evidence that the reversed Isc elicited by IBMX represents electrogenic secretion of HCO3-.     

Effect of short-chain fatty acids on cyclic 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate-mediated colonic secretion

Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) prevent and reverse cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) but not Ca(2+)-mediated Cl- secretion. Mucosal [HCO3-]i has an opposite effect on these secretagogues. We examined whether SCFA and [HCO3-]i affect cyclic 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-induced secretion. Stripped segments of male Sprague-Dawley rat (Rattus norvegicus) proximal and distal colon, and cultured T84 cells were studied in Using chambers, and pHi and [HCO3-]i were determined. Mucosal [cGMP] was measured in proximal colon. In T84 cells, the increase in Cl- secretion (measured as Isc) induced by mucosal 0.25 microM Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (STa) was prevented/reversed by bilateral 50 mM Na+ butyrate (71%/73%), acetate (58%/76%), propionate (68%/73%) and (poorly metabolized) isobutyrate (80%/79%). In proximal colon in HCO3- Ringer, basal Cl- secretion was not affected by [HCO3-]i or 25 mM butyrate. Mucosal 0.25 microM STa decreased net Na+ and Cl- absorption. Bilateral but not mucosal 25 mM SCFA reversed STa-induced effects on Na+ absorption and Cl- secretion. Bilateral and mucosal 25 mM SCFA but not [HCO3-]i prevented STa-induced Cl- secretion and increases in mucosal [cGMP]. STa did not produce Cl- secretion in distal colon. It was concluded that SCFA but not [HCO3-]i can prevent and reverse cGMP-induced colonic Cl- secretion.     

Ionic mechanism of forskolin-induced liquid secretion by porcine bronchi

cAMP-elevating agents such as forskolin and vasoactive intestinal peptide induce liquid secretion by tracheobronchial submucosal glands. This pathway is thought to be CFTR dependent and thus defective in cystic fibrosis; however, the ionic mechanism that drives this secretion process is incompletely understood. To better define this mechanism, we studied the effects of ion transport inhibitors on the forskolin-induced liquid secretion response (Jv) of porcine distal bronchi. The forskolin-induced Jv was driven by a combination of bumetanide-sensitive Cl- secretion and DIDS-sensitive HCO3- secretion. When Cl- secretion was inhibited with bumetanide, Na+/H+ exchange-dependent HCO3- secretion was apparently induced to compensate for the loss of Cl- secretion. The forskolin-induced Jv was significantly inhibited by the anion channel blockers 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid, diphenylamine-2-carboxylate, and glibenclamide. We conclude that the forskolin-induced Jv shares many characteristics of cholinergically induced secretion except for the presence of a DIDS-sensitive component. Although the identity of the DIDS-sensitive component is unclear, we speculate that it represents a basolateral membrane Na+ -HCO3- cotransporter or an Na+-dependent anion exchanger, which could account for transepithelial HCO3- secretion.     

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator regulates luminal Cl-/HCO3- exchange in mouse submandibular and pancreatic ducts.

We have demonstrated previously the regulation of Cl-/HCO3- exchange activity by the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in model systems of cells stably or transiently transfected with CFTR (Lee, M. G., Wigley, W. C., Zeng, W., Noel, L. E., Marino, C. R., Thomas, P. J., and Muallem, S. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 3414-3421). In the present work we examine the significance of this regulation in cells naturally expressing CFTR. These include the human colonic T84 cell line and the mouse submandibular gland and pancreatic ducts, tissues that express high levels of CFTR in the luminal membrane. As in heterologous expression systems, stimulation of T84 cells with forskolin increased the Cl-/HCO3- exchange activity independently of CFTR Cl- channel activity. Freshly isolated submandibular gland ducts from wild type mice showed variable Cl-/HCO3- exchange activity. Measurement of [Cl-]i revealed that this was largely the result of variable steady-state [Cl-]i. Membrane depolarization with 5 mM Ba2+ or 100 mM K+ increased and stabilized [Cl-]i. Under depolarized conditions wild type and DeltaF/DeltaF mice had comparable basal Cl-/HCO3- exchange activity. Notably, stimulation with forskolin increased Cl-/HCO3- exchange activity in submandibular gland ducts from wild type but not DeltaF/DeltaF mice. Microperfusion of the main pancreatic duct showed Cl-/HCO3- exchange activity in both the basolateral and luminal membranes. Stimulation of ducts from wild type animals with forskolin had no effect on basolateral but markedly stimulated luminal Cl-/HCO3- exchange activity. By contrast, forskolin had no effect on either basolateral or luminal Cl-/HCO3- exchange activity of ducts from DeltaF/DeltaF animals. We conclude that CFTR regulates luminal Cl-/HCO3- exchange activity in CFTR-expressing cells, and we discuss the possible physiological significance of these findings regarding cystic fibrosis.     

Action of neltenexine on anion secretion in human airway epithelia

Neltenexine has been applied to human lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as a mucolytic agent. However, we have no information on the neltenexine action in bronchial epithelial cells. We studied the neltenexine action on the ion transport in human submucosal serous Calu-3 cells. Under a hyper-secreting condition caused by terbutaline (a beta2-adrenergic agonist), neltenexine diminished anion secretion by inhibiting the Cl- and HCO3- uptake via Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter and Na+/HCO3- cotransporter without blockade of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channel, and also diminished anion secretion via stimulation of Cl-/HCO3- exchanger, which facilitates the extrusion of more CFTR-permeant anion, Cl-, with the uptake of less CFTR-permeant anion, HCO3-. Thus, neltenexine reduced the hyper-secretion to keep an appropriate fluid level in the airway, providing a possibility that neltenexine can be an effective drug in airway obstructive diseases by decreasing the airway resistance under a hyper-secreting condition.     

Acid and base secretion in the Calu-3 model of human serous cells

Submucosal glands are the primary source of airway mucus, a critical component of lung innate defenses. Airway glands are defective in cystic fibrosis (CF), showing a complete absence of secretion to vasoactive intestinal peptide or forskolin, which increase intracellular cAMP concentration. This defect is attributed to gland serous cells, which express the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. Calu-3 cells, which mimic many features of serous cells, secrete Cl(-) and HCO(3)(-), with HCO(3)(-) secretion predominating for forskolin stimulation and Cl(-) secretion predominating for stimuli that open basolateral K(+) channels to hyperpolarize the cells. We used pH stat and ion substitution experiments to clarify the mechanisms and consequences of these two modes of secretion. We confirm that Calu-3 cells secrete primarily HCO(3)(-) in response to forskolin. Unexpectedly, HCO(3)(-) secretion continued in response to K(+) channel openers, with Cl(-) secretion being added to it. Secretion of HCO(3)(-) from hyperpolarized cells occurs via the conversion of CO(2) to HCO(3)(-) and is reduced by approximately 50% with acetazolamide. A gap between the base equivalent current and short-circuit current was observed in all experiments and was traced to secretion of H(+) via a ouabain-sensitive, K(+)-dependent process (possibly H(+)-K(+)-ATPase), which partially neutralized the secreted HCO(3)(-). The conjoint secretion of HCO(3)(-) and H(+) may help explain the puzzling finding that mucus secreted from normal and CF glands has the same acidic pH as does mucus from glands stimulated with forskolin or ACh. It may also help explain how human airway glands produce mucus that is hypotonic.     

Rapid stimulation of human renal ENaC by cAMP in Xenopus laevis oocytes

Among the compensatory mechanisms restoring circulating blood volume after severe haemorrhage, increased vasopressin secretion enhances water permeability of distal nephron segments and stimulates Na⁺ reabsorption in cortical collecting tubules via epithelial sodium channels (ENaC). The ability of vasopressin to upregulate ENaC via a cAMP-dependent mechanism in the medium to long term is well established. This study addressed the acute regulatory effect of cAMP on human ENaC (hENaC) and thus the potential role of vasopressin in the initial compensatory responses to haemorrhagic shock. The effects of raising intracellular cAMP (using 5 mmol/L isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) and 50 μmol/L forskolin) on wild-type and Liddle-mutated hENaC activity expressed in Xenopus oocytes and hENaC localisation in oocyte membranes were evaluated by dual-electrode voltage clamping and immunohistochemistry, respectively. After 30 min, IBMX + forskolin had stimulated amiloride-sensitive Na⁺ current by 52 % and increased the membrane density of Na⁺ channels in oocytes expressing wild-type hENaC. These responses were prevented by 5 μmol/L brefeldin A, which blocks antegrade vesicular transport. By contrast, IBMX + forskolin had no effects in oocytes expressing Liddle-mutated hENaC. cAMP stimulated rapid, exocytotic recruitment of wild-type hENaC into Xenopus oocyte membranes, but had no effect on constitutively over-expressed Liddle-mutated hENaC. Extrapolating these findings to the early cAMP-mediated effect of vasopressin on cortical collecting tubule cells, they suggest that vasopressin rapidly mobilises ENaC to the apical membrane of cortical collecting tubule cells, but does not enhance ENaC activity once inserted into the membrane. We speculate that this stimulatory effect on Na⁺ reabsorption (and hence water absorption) may contribute to the early restoration of extracellular fluid volume following severe haemorrhage.     

Electrolyte transport in the epithelium of pulmonary segments of normal and cystic fibrosis lung.

The epithelium of pulmonary segments from trachea to aveoli actively transports electrolytes and allows osmotic movement of water to maintain the ionic environment in the airway lumen. Models of airway absorption and secretion depict the operation of transporters localized to apical or basolateral membrane. In many epithelia, a variety of electrolyte transporters operate in different combinations to produce absorption or secretion. This also applies to pulmonary epithelium of the large airways (trachea, main-stem bronchi), bronchioles, and alveoli. Na+ absorption occurs in all three pulmonary segments but by different transporters: apical Na+ channels in large airways and bronchioles; Na+/H+ exchange and Na+ channels in adult alveoli. The Na+ channels in each pulmonary segment share a sensitivity to amiloride, a potent inhibitory of epithelial Na+ channels. Fetal alveoli display spontaneous Cl- secretion, as do the large airways of some mammals, such as dog and bovine trachea. Cl- channels differ in conductance properties and in regulation by intracellular second messengers, osmolarity, and voltage mediate stimulated Cl- secretion. Electroneutral carriers, such as NaCl(K) cotransport, Cl-/HCO3- exchange, and Na+/HCO3- exchange, operate in large airways and alveoli during absorption and secretion. Abnormal ion transport in airways of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is manifest as a reduced Cl- conductance and increased Na+ conductance. Isolation of the CF gene and identification of its product CFTR now allow investigations into the basic defect. Intrinsic to these investigations is the development of systems to study the function of CFTR and its relation to electrolyte transporters and their regulation.     

Uncoupled basal sodium absorption and chloride secretion in prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) gallbladder.

1. Prairie dog gallbladders mounted in a Ussing-type chamber and bathed with symmetrical Ringer's solutions exhibited a transepithelial resistance (Rt) of 51 +/- 5 omega cm2, a lumen negative potential difference (Vms) of 11.5 +/- 0.7 mV and a short-circuit current (Isc) of 6.9 +/- 0.3 microEq/hr/cm2. 2. Radioisotopic ion flux experiments revealed that the basal Isc of 6.9 +/- 0.3 microEq/hr/cm2 was mostly accounted for by net Na+ absorption of 3.2 +/- 0.5 microEq/hr/cm2 and net Cl- secretion of 2.9 +/- 0.3 microEq/hr/cm2. 3. In HCO3- free Ringer's, net Na+ flux was virtually abolished, net Cl- flux decreased by 50% and Isc was reduced by 77%. 4. 10(-3) M mucosal amiloride and DIDS reduced Isc by 28 and 24%, respectively. 5. Mucosal NaCl diffusion potentials indicated that the paracellular pathway was cation selective. 6. Thin section electron micrographs showed a single cell population in this epithelium suggesting that net Na+ absorption and Cl- secretion may emerge from the same cells. 7. We conclude that prairie dog gallbladder epithelium is an electrogenic tissue and, in contrast to gallbladders of most other species, simultaneously but independently absorbs Na+ and secretes Cl-.     

Model of ionic transport for bovine ciliary epithelium: effects of acetazolamide and HCO

The possible existence of transepithelial bicarbonate transport across the isolated bovine ciliary body was investigated by employing a chamber that allows for the measurement of unidirectional, radiolabeled fluxes of CO2 + HCO. No net flux of HCO was detected. However, acetazolamide (0.1 mM) reduced the simultaneously measured short-circuit current (I(sc)). In other experiments in which (36)Cl- was used, a net Cl- flux of 1.12 microeq. h(-1). cm(-2) (30 microA/cm(2)) in the blood-to-aqueous direction was detected. Acetazolamide, as well as removal of HCO from the aqueous bathing solution, inhibited the net Cl- flux and I(sc). Because such removal should increase HCO diffusion toward the aqueous compartment and increase the I(sc), this paradoxical effect could result from cell acidification and partial closure of Cl- channels. The acetazolamide effect on Cl- fluxes can be explained by a reduction of cellular H+ and HCO (generated from metabolic CO2 production), which exchange with Na+ and Cl- via Na+/H+ and Cl-/HCO exchangers, contributing to the net Cl- transport. The fact that the net Cl- flux is about three times larger than the I(sc) is explained with a vectorial model in which there is a secretion of Na+ and K+ into the aqueous humor that partially subtracts from the net Cl- flux. These transport characteristics of the bovine ciliary epithelium suggest how acetazolamide reduces intraocular pressure in the absence of HCO transport as a driving force for fluid secretion.