Response of developing cultured freshwater gill epithelia to gradual apical media dilution and hormone supplementation

We investigated gradual dilution of the apical medium (Leibovitz's L15 to fresh water [FW], analogous to gradual reduction in environmental salinity) and basolateral hormone support on the electrophysiological and ion-transporting properties of "developing" FW trout gill epithelia cultured on filter inserts. Epithelia were of the double-seeded type, containing both pavement cells and mitochondria-rich cells. In these experiments we were able to circumvent "symmetrical development" (typically L15 apical/L15 basolateral for 6-9 days) by commencing dilution of apical media (unchanged L15 basolateral, i.e., asymmetrical conditions) at culture-day 3, the time when transepithelial resistance (TER) and potential (TEP) would normally be increasing rapidly under symmetrical conditions. In Series 1 (without basolateral hormone support), epithelia were exposed to progressively diluted apical media (100%, 75%, 50% L15) at 24-hr intervals, thereafter cultured in 50% L15 apical media for 4 days, and then in apical FW. In Series 2, epithelia were exposed to progressively diluted apical media (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, 12.5% L15, and FW) at 24-hr intervals with physiologically relevant doses of cortisol (500 ng ml(-1)), prolactin (50 ng ml(-1)), or cortisol + prolactin (500 ng ml(-1) + 50 ng ml(-1), respectively) added to basolateral media (100% L15). In Series 1, TER reached a plateau phase over 25 kohms cm2 under 50% L15/L15 culture conditions (after 4 days of culture) but fell to approximately 6 kohms cm2 after 24 hr in FW/L15 conditions. In Series 2, TER stabilized at 4-11 kohms cm2 depending on treatment. In general, apical media dilution during epithelial development was well tolerated. Preparations exhibited continued integrity right down to apical FW, indicated by only modest increases in net ion losses (i.e., basolateral to apical movement of ions), relatively stable TER values, and the expected changeover from positive to negative TEP in FW. Cortisol was clearly beneficial to FW adaptation, promoting greater TER, reduced unidirectional and net Na+ and Cl- flux rates, and elevated Na+, K+ -ATPase activity. Prolactin also offered some support, where its actions on TER were less than but additive to those of cortisol. There was no direct evidence that prolactin limited ion movements during gradual dilution. These in vitro studies demonstrate that "developing epithelia" were able to tolerate gradual dilution of apical media, the remarkable barrier properties of gill epithelia, and the importance of cortisol and prolactin in promoting integrity of this barrier during FW adaptation.     

Cultured gill epithelia as models for the freshwater fish gill

We review recent progress in the development of models for the freshwater teleost gill based on reconstructed flat epithelia grown on permeable filter supports in primary culture. Methods are available for single-seeded insert (SSI) preparations consisting of pavement cells (PVCs) only from trout and tilapia, and double-seeded insert (DSI) preparations from trout, containing both PVCs (85%) and mitochondria-rich cells (MRCs, 15%), as in the intact gill. While there are some quantitative differences, both SSI and DSI epithelia manifest electrical and passive permeability characteristics typical of intact gills and representative of very tight epithelia. Both preparations withstand apical freshwater exposure, exhibiting large increases in transepithelial resistance (TER), negative transepithelial potential (TEP), and low rates of ion loss, but there is only a small active apical-to-basolateral "influx" of Cl(-) (and not of Na(+)). Responses to various hormonal treatments are described (thyroid hormone T3, prolactin, and cortisol). Cortisol has the most marked effects, stimulating Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity and promoting active Na(+) and Cl(-) influxes in DSI preparations, and raising TER and reducing passive ion effluxes in both epithelia via reductions in paracellular permeability. Experiments using DSI epithelia lacking Na(+) uptake demonstrate that both NH(3) and NH(4)(+) diffusion occur, but are not large enough to account for normal rates of branchial ammonia excretion, suggesting that Na(+)-linked carrier-mediated processes are important for ammonia excretion in vivo. Future research goals are suggested.     

Cortisol stimulates calcium transport across cultured gill epithelia from freshwater rainbow trout

Summary The effect of cortisol on calcium (Ca²⁺) transport across cultured rainbow trout gill epithelia composed of both pavement cells (PVCs) and mitochondria-rich cells (MRCs) was examined. Under symmetrical culture conditions (L15 media apical/L15 media basolateral), cortisol had subtle effects on gill epithelial preparations. Both control and cortisol treated epithelia exhibited Ca²⁺ influx and efflux rates (measured radioisotopically using ⁴⁵Ca) that were approximately balanced, with a slight inwardly directed net Ca²⁺ flux. Ussing flux ratio analysis indicated active Ca²⁺ transport in the inward direction across epithelia bathed symmetrically regardless of hormone treatment. In contrast, under asymmetrical conditions (freshwater apical/L15 media basolateral) control epithelia exhibited active Ca²⁺ transport in the outward direction (basolateral to apical) throughout experiments conducted over a 24-h period, whereas cortisol-treated preparations exhibited active transport in the inward direction (apical to basolateral) during the early stages of an asymmetrical culture period (e.g., T0–6 h) and passive transport during the later stages (e.g., T18–24 h). When soft freshwater (with tenfold lower [Ca²⁺]) was used for asymmetrical culture instead of freshwater, control epithelia developed outwardly directed active Ca²⁺ transport properties, whereas cortisol-treated preparations did not. The results of this study support a hypercalcemic role for cortisol in rainbow trout and demonstrate that treating cultured gill epithelia composed of both PVCs and MRCs with cortisol can stimulate active Ca²⁺ uptake under circumstances that more closely resemble natural conditions for fish gills (i.e., freshwater bathing the apical side of the epithelium).     

Dilute culture media as an environmental or physiological simulant in cultured gill epithelia from freshwater rainbow trout

The electrophysiological and ion-transporting properties of cultured gill epithelia from freshwater (FW) rainbow trout were examined in the presence of dilute cell culture media as an environmental or physiological simulant. Gill epithelia were cultured on cell culture inserts under symmetrical conditions (L15 apical-L15 basolateral) for 6-7 d. The following experiments were then conducted. (1) To mimic a gradual lowering of environmental salinity, apical L15 medium was progressively diluted with FW (first to 2/3 L15 for 8 h and then to 1/3 L15 for 6 h) before the introduction of apical FW (FW apical-L15 basolateral, analogous to a fish in a natural FW environment). Dilute apical media had no significant effect on the electrophysiological properties of preparations compared with symmetrical culture conditions, and no evidence for active Na(+) or Cl(-) transport was observed. Preparations subsequently exposed to apical FW exhibited a negative transepithelial potential and evidence of active Cl(-) uptake and slight Na(+) extrusion. (2) To mimic the extracellular fluid dilution that occurs in euryhaline fish after abrupt transfer from saline to FW, the osmolality or ionic strength (or both) of basolateral media was reduced by 20-40% (using either FW or FW + mannitol) while simultaneously replacing apical media with FW. Under these conditions, Na(+) and Cl(-) influx rates were low compared with efflux rates, while the Ussing flux ratio analysis generally indicated active Cl(-) uptake and Na(+) extrusion. The Na(+)-K(+) adenosine triphosphatase activity was not affected by alterations in basolateral osmolality. Our studies indicate that cultured trout gill epithelia are tolerant of media dilution from both the apical and the basolateral direction; however, neither treatment alone appeared to increase ion influx rates or stimulate active Na(+) uptake in cultured trout gill epithelia.     

Effect of cortisol on the physiology of cultured pavement cell epithelia from freshwater trout gills

Cortisol had dose-dependent effects on the electrophysiological, permeability, and ion-transporting properties of cultured pavement cell epithelia derived from freshwater rainbow trout gills and grown on cell culture filter supports. Under both symmetrical (L15 media apical/L15 media basolateral) and asymmetrical (freshwater apical/L15 media basolateral) culture conditions, cortisol treatment elevated transepithelial resistance, whereas permeability of epithelia to a paracellular permeability marker (polyethylene glycol-4000) decreased. Cortisol did not alter the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity or the total protein content of the cultured preparations. During 24-h exposure to asymmetrical conditions, the net loss rates of both Na(+) and Cl(-) to the water decreased with increasing cortisol dose, an important adaptation to dilute media. Unidirectional Na(+) and Cl(-) flux measurements and the application of the Ussing flux-ratio criterion revealed cortisol-induced active uptake of both Na(+) and Cl(-) under symmetrical culture conditions together with an increase in transepithelial potential (positive on the basolateral side). Under asymmetrical conditions, cortisol did not promote active ion transport across the epithelium. These experiments provide evidence for the direct action of cortisol on cultured pavement cell epithelia and, in particular, emphasize the importance of cortisol for limiting epithelial permeability.     

Cultured gill epithelia from freshwater tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): effect of cortisol and homologous serum supplements from stressed and unstressed fish

Procedures for the preparation and culture of branchial epithelia from dispersed gill cells of freshwater tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) are described. Epithelia were cultured on permeable supports (terephthalate membranes, "filters") and bathed on both the apical and basolateral side with isotonic media containing 6% fetal bovine serum (FBS). When the apical medium was replaced with freshwater (pseudo in vivo asymmetrical culture conditions), transepithelial resistance (TER) increased markedly, transepithelial potential became negative, and paracellular permeability decreased. The physiological effects of cortisol and 10% homologous (tilapia) serum were investigated. Tilapia serum (TS) was prepared from unstressed and stressed fish and therefore allowed comparison between the effects of homologous serum derived from fish in differing physiological states. Under both symmetrical and asymmetrical culture conditions, cortisol significantly elevated TER across cultured tilapia gill epithelia, indicative of a significant increase in epithelial "tightness." Cortisol reduced transepithelial Na + and Cl? movement and paracellular permeability. The glucocorticoid agonist dexamethasone elicited a similar response, which was inhibited by the glucocorticoid antagonist (receptor blocker) RU486. Cortisol did not stimulate active ion transport across epithelia under either symmetrical or asymmetrical culture conditions. In epithelia supplemented with TS from stressed fish, physiological changes in cultured preparations were consistent with those observed in FBS + cortisol-supplemented epithelia. Differences between the physiological status of epithelia supplemented with TS from unstressed and stressed fish could be abolished with RU486. Using TS as a medium supplement did not stimulate active ion transport under asymmetrical culture conditions, although Na +-K +-ATPase activity increased in TS-supplemented epithelia relative to FBS-supplemented preparations.     

An analytical model of ionic movements in airway epithelial cells.

A new mathematical model of ion movements in airway epithelia is presented, which allows predictions of ion fluxes, membrane potentials and ion concentrations. The model includes sodium and chloride channels in the apical membrane, a Na/K pump and a cotransport system for Cl- with stoichiometry Na+:K+:2Cl- in the basolateral membrane. Potassium channels in the basolateral membrane are used to regulate cell volume. Membrane potentials, ion fluxes and intracellular ion concentration are calculated as functions of apical ion permeabilities, the maximum pump current and the cotransport parameters. The major predictions of the model are: (1) Cl- concentration in the cell is determined entirely by the intracellular concentration of negatively charged impermeable ions and the osmotic conditions; (2) changes in intracellular Na+ and K+ concentrations are inversely related; (3) cotransport provides the major driving force for Cl- flux, increases intracellular Na+ concentration, decreases intracellular K+ concentration and hyperpolarizes the cell interior; (4) the maximum rate of the Na/K pump, by contrast, has little effect on Na+ or Cl- transepithelial fluxes and a much less pronounced effect on cell membrane polarization; (5) an increase in apical Na+ permeability causes an increase in intracellular Na+ concentration and a significant increase in Na+ flux; (6) an increase in apical Cl- permeability decreases intracellular Na+ concentration and Na+ flux; (7) assuming Na+ and Cl- permeabilities equal to those measured in human nasal epithelia, the model predicts that under short circuit conditions, Na+ absorption is much higher than Cl- secretion, in agreement with experimental measurements.     

Cortisol affects tight junction morphology between pavement cells of rainbow trout gills in single-seeded insert culture

A primary culture system of rainbow trout gill pavement cells grown on permeable support (single-seeded insert, SSI) was used to examine histological and physiological changes induced by the addition of the corticosteroid hormone cortisol. Pavement cell epithelia were cultured under symmetrical conditions (L15 apical/L15 basolateral) and developed a high transepithelial resistance (TER, 6.84 ± 1.99 kΩ cm², mean ± SEM) with a low phenol red diffusion rate (PRD, 0.15 ± 0.03 μmol l⁻¹/day). Addition of cortisol to the basolateral compartment increased TER twofold and reduced PRD threefold over a 5-day period. A similar increase in TER could be seen after 24 h apical freshwater (FW) in control cultures. In cortisol-treated cultures FW exposure did not change TER, but PRD increased significantly. Histochemical staining of the cytoskeleton of cells in SSI culture revealed a morphological partitioning into a single mucosal layer of polarized, polygonal cells featuring cortical F-actin rings which were comparable to F-actin rings of epithelial cells on the lamellar and filamental surface, and several unorganized serosal layers of cells with F-actin stress fibers. Addition of cortisol increased cell density by 18% and in the mucosal layer it led to smaller, less polygonal cells with increased height and increased cell contact area. In transmission electron microscopic images two pairs of cytoplasmatic electron-dense structures confining the zonula occludens apically and basally toward the zonula adhaerens were found. Addition of cortisol increased the distance between those paired structures, hence led to deeper tight junctions. The cortisol-induced increase in barrier properties, therefore, involves a structural fortification of the tight junctions which was not generally modified by a short 24-h apical freshwater stress. These results identify cortisol as a regulator of tight junction morphology between pavement cells of euryhaline fish such as the trout.     

Passive and active transport properties of a gill model, the cultured branchial epithelium of the freshwater rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Branchial epithelia of freshwater rainbow trout were cultured on permeable supports, polyethylene terephthalate membranes ("filter inserts"), starting from dispersed gill epithelial cells in primary culture. Leibowitz L-15 media plus foetal bovine serum and glutamine, with an ionic composition similar to trout extracellular fluid, was used. After 6 days of growth on the filter insert with L-15 present on both apical and basolateral surfaces, the cultured preparations exhibited stable transepithelial resistances (generally 1000-5000 ohms cm2) typical of an electrically tight epithelium. Under these symmetrical conditions, transepithelial potential was zero, and unidirectional fluxes of Na+ and Cl- across the epithelium and permeability to the paracellular marker polyethylene glycol-4000 (PEG) were equal in both directions. Na+ and Cl- fluxes were similar to one another and linearly related to conductance (inversely related to resistance) in a manner indicative of fully conductive passive transport. Upon exposure to apical fresh water, transepithelial resistance increased greatly and a basolateral-negative transepithelial potential developed. At the same time, however, PEG permeability and unidirectional effluxes of Na+ and Cl- increased. Thus, total conductance fell, and ionic fluxes and paracellular permeability per unit conductance all increased greatly, consistent with a scenario whereby transcellular conductance decreases but paracellular permeability increases upon dilution of the apical medium. In apical fresh water, there was a net loss of ions from the basolateral to apical surfaces as effluxes greatly exceeded influxes. However, application of the Ussing flux ratio criterion, in two separate series involving different methods for measuring unidirectional fluxes, revealed active influx of Cl- against the electrochemical gradient but passive movement of Na+. The finding is surprising because the cultured epithelium appears to consist entirely of pavement-type cells.     

Effect of aldosterone and insulin on mannitol, Na+ and Cl- fluxes in cultured epithelia of renal origin (A6): evidence for increased permeability in the paracellular pathway

Transepithelial fluxes of mannitol, Na+ and Cl- were measured under open circuit conditions in cultured epithelia derived from toad kidney (A6). Both aldosterone and aldosterone plus insulin produced significant increases in the apparent permeability to mannitol (40 and 83%, respectively). Na+ permeabilities calculated from basolateral to apical Na+ fluxes showed approximately the same percentage increases in response to aldosterone and aldosterone plus insulin. Cl- permeabilities calculated from basolateral to apical Cl- fluxes did not show the same percentage increases. The flux ratios for Cl- were significantly lower than would be predicted for simple electrochemical diffusion in both control and hormone-treated epithelia. In aldosterone-treated epithelia, 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) caused Cl- flux ratios to approach predicted values. The unidirectional Cl- fluxes may have significant contributions from both the transcellular and paracellular pathways, with the direction of departure from predicted values being consistent with the presence of Cl- exchange diffusion. In aldosterone plus insulin-treated epithelia, amiloride significantly reduced both the mannitol and Na+ permeabilities. These findings are consistent with aldosterone- and aldosterone plus insulin-induced increases in paracellular pathway permeability which may be secondary to the change in active Na+ transport rather than a primary effect.     

Physiology of the tracheal epithelium

The mucosa that lines the airways is covered with a fluid film forming a hypophase between mucus and cell surface. To study the function of this epithelium aims at describing the mechanisms by which fluid is normally produced. Another goal to be pursued consists in looking for the origin of pathological situations, such as cystic fibrosis, in which the functioning of epithelial cell is altered. The elucidation of transport mechanisms present in the apical and in the basolateral membrane results in a conceptual model that illustrates the asymmetrical functioning of epithelial cells. Recent discoveries enlarge our understanding of membrane transport processes; in particular, a concerted, reciprocal regulation of the activity of both membranes was shown to be exerted via the intracellular composition. The tracheal epithelium absorbs Na+ and secretes Cl-. These two transports are active and electrogenic; their sum corresponds approximately to the short-circuit current measured in vitro. Na+ absorption is sensitive to amiloride from the luminal side and also to ouabain added to the serosal compartment. The process is a primary active transport, analogous to that found in amphibian epithelia or in mammalian colon. Cl- secretion is abolished by furosemide (or bumetanide), by ouabain or by Na+ suppression in the serosal incubation solution. The mechanism is a secondary active transport: Cl- influx across the basolateral membrane is coupled to Na+ (probably through Na+, K+, Cl- symport); energy is dissipated by the Na+-K+-ATPase localised in the basolateral membrane. Thus, Na+ is recirculated across that membrane by the pump activity, which maintains a favorable gradient for influx via the symport. Cl- efflux takes place by diffusion through the luminal membrane. This model applies to other epithelia in which Na+-coupled Cl- secretion was shown to take place. It is confirmed by isotopic fluxes measurements and by electrophysiologic properties of the apical and the basolateral membrane. Various agents are known to influence ion transports. In particular Cl- secretion is stimulated by substances that increase the intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP. At the membrane level, the number of active Cl- channels in the apical membrane is primarily controlled, then the basolateral membrane K+ permeability. Yet, species differences are worth to note: the trachea of the cow is barely sensitive to agents that exert a marked action on dog trachea. The tracheal epithelium is used as an experimental model for studying cystic fibrosis, a disease in which the apical membrane is almost devoid of functional Cl- channels, so that Cl- permeability is quite low.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The mitochondrial barriers segregate agonist-induced calcium-dependent functions in human airway epithelia

In airway epithelia, purinergic receptor (P2Y2-R) stimulation of intracellular calcium (Ca2+i)-regulated ion transport is restricted to the membrane domain ipsilateral to receptor activation, implying compartmentalization of Ca2+i signaling. Because mitochondria can spatially restrict cellular Ca2+i signals, immunocytochemical, electron microscopic, and fluorescent studies of mitochondria localization were performed in human airway epithelia. Although concentrated at the apical domain, mitochondria were found distributed at both the apical and the basolateral poles and in close association with the endoplasmic reticulum. The role of mitochondria in locally restricting P2Y2-R-induced Ca2+i signals was investigated by measuring changes in mitochondrial Ca2+ (Ca2+m) in human airway epithelial monolayers. P2Y2-R activation induced Ca2+m accumulation in mitochondria confined to the domain ipsilateral to P2Y2-R stimulation, which was blocked by mitochondrial uncoupling with 1 microM CCCP and 2.5 microg/ml oligomycin. The role of mitochondria in restricting the cellular cross-talk between basolateral P2Y2-R-dependent Ca2+i mobilization and apical membrane Ca2+-activated Cl- secretion was investigated in studies simultaneously measuring Ca2+i and Cl- secretion in cystic fibrosis human airway epithelial monolayers. Activation of basolateral P2Y2-Rs produced similar increases in Ca2+i in monolayers without and with pretreatment with uncouplers, whereas Ca2+i-activated Cl- secretion was only efficiently triggered in mitochondria-uncoupled conditions. We conclude that (a) mitochondria function as a Ca2+i-buffering system in airway epithelia, compartmentalizing Ca2+i-dependent functions to the membrane ipsilateral to receptor stimulation; and (b) the mitochondria provide structural barriers that protect the airway epithelia against nonspecific activation of Ca2+i-modulated functions associated with Ca2+i signals emanating from the apical or the basolateral membrane domains.     

Cultured trout gill epithelia enriched in pavement cells or in mitochondria-rich cells provides insights into Na<Superscript>+</Superscript> and Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> transport

Summary  The lack of a suitable flat epithelial preparation isolated directly from the freshwater fish gill has led, in recent years, to the development of cultured gill epithelia on semipermeable supports. To date, their minimal capacity to actively transport ions has limited their utility as ionoregulatory models. The current study describes a new method of culturing gill epithelia consisting either of an enriched population of pavement (PV) cells or a mixed population of PV cells and mitochondria-rich (MR) cells from the gills of adult rainbow trout. Although the cell culture approach is similar to the double-seeded insert (DSI) technique described previously, it makes use of Percoll density centrifugation to first separate populations of PV and MR cells, which are then seeded on cell culture supports in varying proportions on successive days so as to produce preparations enriched in one or the other cell types. Based on rhodamine staining, the MR cell-rich epithelia exhibited a threefold higher enrichment of MR cells compared to traditional DSI preparations. In general, MR cell-rich epithelia developed extremely high transepithelial resistances (TER; >30 kΩ cm²) and positive transepithelial potentials (TEP) under symmetrical conditions (i.e., L15 medium on both apical and basolateral sides). Apical exposure of cell cultures to freshwater reduced TER and produced a negative TEP in all the epithelial preparations, although MR cell-rich epithelia maintained relatively high TER and negative TEP for over 2 d under these asymmetrical conditions. Measurement of unidirectional Na⁺ fluxes and application of the Ussing flux ratio criterion demonstrated active Na⁺ uptake in PV cell-rich and MR cell-rich epithelia under both symmetrical and asymmetrical conditions. In comparison, Ca²⁺ uptake and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity were significantly elevated in MR cell-rich preparations relative to the traditional DSI or PV cell-rich cultures under symmetrical conditions. This new methodology enhances our ability to tailor cultured gill epithelia on semipermeable supports with different proportions of PV cells and MR cells, thereby illuminating the ionoregulatory functions of the two cell types.     

Coupling of volume and Na+ transport in frog skin epithelium

Whole skins and isolated epithelia were bathed with isotonic media (congruent to 244 mOsm) containing sucrose or glucose. The serosal osmolality was intermittently reduced (congruent to 137 mOsm) by removing the nonelectrolyte. Transepithelial and intracellular electrophysiological parameters were monitored while serosal osmolality was changed. Serosal hypotonicity increased the short-circuit current (ISC) and the basolateral conductance, hyperpolarized the apical membrane (psi mc), and increased the intracellular Na+ concentration. The increases in apical conductance and apical Na+ permeability (measured from Goldman fits of the relationship between amiloride-sensitive current and psi mc) were not statistically significant. To verify that the osmotically induced changes in ISC were mediated primarily at the basolateral membrane, the basolateral membrane potential of the experimental area was clamped close to 0 mV by replacing the serosal Na+ with K+ in Cl--free media. The adjoining control area was exposed to serosal Na+. Serosal hypotonicity produced a sustained stimulation of ISC across the control, but not across the adjoining depolarized tissue area. The current results support the concept that hypotonic cell swelling increases Na+ transport across frog skin epithelium by increasing the basolateral K+ permeability, hyperpolarizing the apical membrane, and increasing the electrical driving force for apical Na+ entry.     

Ion transport mechanisms in the mesonephric collecting duct system of the toad Bufo bufo: microelectrode recordings from isolated and perfused tubules

It is not clear how and whether terrestrial amphibians handle NaCl transport in the distal nephron. Therefore, we studied ion transport in isolated perfused collecting tubules and ducts from toad, Bufo bufo, by means of microelectrodes. No qualitative difference in basolateral cell membrane potential (Vbl) was observed between tubules and ducts in response to ion substitutions, inhibitor and agonist applications. Cl- substitution experiments indicated a small Cl- conductance in the basolateral membrane. The apical membrane did not have a significant Cl- conductance. Luminal [Na+] steps and amiloride application showed a small apical Na+ conductance. Arginine vasotocin depolarized Vbl. The small apical Na+ conductance indicates that the collecting duct system contributes little to NaCl reabsorption when compared to aquatic amphibians. In contrast, Vbl rapidly depolarized upon lowering of [Na+] in the bath, demonstrating the presence of a Na+-coupled anion transporter. [HCO3-] steps revealed that this transporter is not a Na+-HCO3- cotransporter. Together, our results indicate that a major task of the collecting duct system in B. bufo is not conductive NaCl transport but rather K+ secretion, as shown by our previous studies. Moreover, our results indicate the presence of a novel basolateral Na+-coupled anion transporter, the identity of which remains to be elucidated.     

Ammonium effects on colonic Cl- secretion: anomalous mole fraction behavior

A significant amount of ammonium (NH4+) is absorbed by the colon. The nature of NH4+ effects on transport and NH4+ transport itself in colonic epithelium is poorly understood. The goal of this study was to elucidate the effects of NH4+ on cAMP-stimulated Cl- secretion in the colonic cell line T84. In HEPES-buffered solutions, application of basolateral NH4+ resulted in a reduced level of Cl- secretory current. The effect of NH4+ appears to occur by at least three mechanisms: 1) basolateral membrane depolarization, 2) a competitive effect with K+, and 3) a long-term (>20 min) increase in transepithelial resistance (TER). The competitive effect with K+ exhibits anomalous mole fraction behavior. Transepithelial current relative to that in 10 mM basolateral K+ was inhibited 15% by 10 mM NH4+ alone and by 30% with a mixture of 2 mM K+ and 8 mM NH4+. A mole fraction mix of 2 mM K+:8 mM NH4+ produced a greater inhibition of basolateral membrane K+ current than pure K+ or NH4+ alone. Similar anomalous behavior was also observed for inhibition of bumetanide-sensitive 36Cl- uptake, e.g., Na+-K+-2Cl- -cotransporter (NKCC-1). No anomalous effect was observed on Na+-K+-ATPase current. Both NKCC-1 and Na+-K+-ATPase activity were elevated in 10 mM NH4+ with respect to 10 mM K+. The effect on TER did not exhibit anomalous mole fraction behavior. The overall effect of basolateral NH4+ on cAMP-stimulated transport is dependent on the [K+]o /[NH4+]o ratio at the basolateral membrane, where o is outside of the cell.     

Regulation of the ion-transporting mitochondrion-rich cell during adaptation of teleost fishes to different salinities

The mitochondrion-rich cells (MRCs) in teleost gill and equivalent tissues are important osmoregulatory sites in maintaining ionic balance. These cells express a variety of ion pumps, transporters, and channels, which play central roles in ionic regulation. Recently, two types of MRCs have been identified in euryhaline fishes: seawater (SW)-type MRCs extrude Na and Cl ions in SW conditions; freshwater (FW)-type MRCs take up at least Cl-. Long-term development/differentiation of the two types of MRCs during adaptation to different salinities appears to be regulated mainly by endocrine factors. Osmolality, Ca2+, neurotransmitters, and fast-acting hormones rapidly regulate the SW MRCs. Recent information is assembled in this review and suggests the functional plasticity of highly specialized MRCs.     

Effect of chloride on pH microclimate and electrogenic Na+ absorption across the rumen epithelium of goat and sheep

Active Na+ absorption across rumen epithelium comprises Na+/H+ exchange and a nonselective cation conductance (NSCC). Luminal chloride is able to stimulate Na+ absorption, which has been attributed to an interaction between Cl-/HCO3- and Na+/H+ exchangers. However, isolated rumen epithelial cells also express a Cl- conductance. We investigated whether Cl- has an additional effect on electrogenic Na+ absorption via NSCC. NSCC was estimated from short-circuit current (Isc) across epithelia of goat and sheep rumen in Ussing chambers. Epithelial surface pH (pHs) was measured with 5-N-hexadecanoyl-aminofluorescence. Membrane potentials were measured with microelelectrodes. Luminal, but not serosal, Cl- stimulated the Ca2+ and Mg2+ sensitive Isc. This effect was independent of the replacing anion (gluconate or acetate) and of the presence of bicarbonate. The mean pHs of rumen epithelium amounted to 7.47 +/- 0.03 in a low-Cl- solution. It was increased by 0.21 pH units when luminal Cl- was increased from 10 to 68 mM. Increasing mucosal pH from 7.5 to 8.0 also increased the Ca2+ and Mg2+ sensitive Isc and transepithelial conductance and reduced the fractional resistance of the apical membrane. Luminal Cl- depolarized the apical membrane of rumen epithelium. 5-Nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate reduced the divalent cation sensitive Isc, but only in low-Cl- solutions. The results show that luminal Cl- can increase the microclimate pH via apical Cl-/HCO3- or Cl-/OH- exchangers. Electrogenic Na+ absorption via NSCC increases with pH, explaining part of the Cl- effects on Na+ absorption. The data further show that the Cl- conductance of rumen epithelium must be located at the basolateral membrane.     

G protein subunit, alpha i-3, activates a pertussis toxin-sensitive Na+ channel from the epithelial cell line, A6

In nonpolar excitable cells, guanine nucleotide regulatory (G) proteins have been shown to modulate ion channel activity in response to hormone receptor activation. In polarized epithelia, hormone receptor-G protein coupling involved in the generation of cAMP occurs on the basolateral membrane, while the physiological response to this messenger is a stimulation of ion channel activity at the apical membrane. In the present study we have utilized the patch-clamp technique to assess if the polarized renal epithelia, A6, have topologically distinct G proteins at their apical membrane capable of modulating Na+ channel activity. In excised inside-out patches of apical membranes, spontaneous Na+ channel activity (conductance 8-9 picosiemens) was inhibited by the addition of 0.1 mM guanosine 5'-O-(2-thio)diphosphate to the cytosolic membrane surface without an effect on single channel conductance. In contrast, the percent open time of spontaneous Na+ channels increased from 6 to 50% following the addition of 0.1 mM GTP. The addition of preactivated pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml) to the cytosolic bathing solution of the excised patch inhibited spontaneous Na+ channel activity within a minute by 85% from approximately 47 to 7% open time and reduced the percent open time for Na+ channel activity to zero after approximately 3 min. The addition of 0.1 mM guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate or the addition of 20 pM purified human alpha i-3 subunit to pertussis toxin-treated membrane patches restored Na+ channel activity from zero to 35% open time. As little as 0.2 pM alpha i-3 subunit was capable of restoring Na+ channel activity. These data provide evidence for a role of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins in the apical plasma membrane of renal epithelia distal to signal transduction pathways in the basolateral membrane of these cells. This raises the possibility of a topologically distinct signal transducing pathway co-localized with the Na+ channel.     

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.