Nerve growth factor inhibits HCO3- absorption in renal thick ascending limb through inhibition of basolateral membrane Na+/H+ exchange

Nerve growth factor (NGF) inhibits transepithelial HCO3- absorption in the rat medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL). To investigate the mechanism of this inhibition, MTALs were perfused in vitro in Na+-free solutions, and apical and basolateral membrane Na+/H+ exchange activities were determined from rates of pHi recovery after lumen or bath Na+ addition. NGF (0.7 nM in the bath) had no effect on apical Na+/H+ exchange activity, but inhibited basolateral Na+/H+ exchange activity by 50%. Inhibition of basolateral Na+/H+ exchange activity with ethylisopropyl amiloride (EIPA) secondarily reduces apical Na+/H+ exchange activity and HCO3- absorption in the MTAL (Good, D. W., George, T., and Watts, B. A., III (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 92, 12525-12529). To determine whether a similar mechanism could explain inhibition of HCO3- absorption by NGF, apical Na+/H+ exchange activity was assessed in physiological solutions (146 mM Na+) by measurement of the initial rate of cell acidification after lumen EIPA addition. Under these conditions, in which basolateral Na+/H+ exchange activity is present, NGF inhibited apical Na+/H+ exchange activity. Inhibition of HCO3- absorption by NGF was eliminated in the presence of bath EIPA or in the absence of bath Na+. Also, NGF blocked inhibition of HCO3- absorption by bath EIPA. We conclude that NGF inhibits basolateral Na+/H+ exchange activity in the MTAL, an effect opposite from the stimulation of Na+/H+ exchange by growth factors in other systems. NGF inhibits transepithelial HCO3- absorption through inhibition of basolateral Na+/H+ exchange, most likely as the result of functional coupling in which primary inhibition of basolateral Na+/H+ exchange activity results secondarily in inhibition of apical Na+/H+ exchange activity. These findings establish a role for basolateral Na+/H+ exchange in the regulation of renal tubule HCO3- absorption.     

The basolateral NHE1 Na+/H+ exchanger regulates transepithelial HCO3- absorption through actin cytoskeleton remodeling in renal thick ascending limb

In the renal medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL), inhibiting the basolateral NHE1 Na(+)/H(+) exchanger with amiloride or nerve growth factor (NGF) results secondarily in inhibition of the apical NHE3 Na(+)/H(+) exchanger, thereby decreasing transepithelial HCO3- absorption. MTALs from rats were studied by in vitro microperfusion to identify the mechanism underlying cross-talk between the two exchangers. The basolateral addition of 10 microM amiloride or 0.7 nM NGF decreased HCO3- absorption by 27-32%. Jasplakinolide, which stabilizes F-actin, or latrunculin B, which disrupts F-actin, decreased basal HCO3- absorption by 30% and prevented the inhibition by amiloride or NGF. Jasplakinolide had no effect on HCO3- absorption in tubules bathed with amiloride or a Na(+)-free bath to inhibit NHE1. Jasplakinolide and latrunculin B did not prevent inhibition of HCO3- absorption by vasopressin or stimulation by hyposmolality, factors that regulate HCO3- absorption through primary effects on apical Na(+)/H(+) exchange. Treatment of MTALs with amiloride or NGF for 15 min decreased polymerized actin with no change in total cell actin, as assessed both by fluorescence microscopy and by actin Triton X-100 solubility. Jasplakinolide prevented amiloride-induced actin remodeling. Vasopressin, which inhibits HCO3- absorption by an amount similar to that observed with amiloride and NGF but does not act via NHE1, did not affect cellular F-actin content. These results indicate that basolateral NHE1 regulates apical NHE3 and HCO3- absorption in the MTAL by controlling the organization of the actin cytoskeleton.     

Hyposmolality stimulates Na(+)/H(+) exchange and HCO(3)(-) absorption in thick ascending limb via PI 3-kinase

The signal transduction mechanisms that mediateosmotic regulation of Na⁺/H⁺ exchange are notunderstood. Recently we demonstrated that hyposmolality increasesHCO₃ absorption in the renal medullary thickascending limb (MTAL) through stimulation of the apical membraneNa⁺/H⁺ exchanger NHE3. To investigate themechanism of this stimulation, MTALs from rats were isolated andperfused in vitro with 25 mM HCO₃-containingsolutions. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K) inhibitorswortmannin (100 nM) and LY-294002 (20 µM) blocked completely thestimulation of HCO₃ absorption by hyposmolality. Intissue strips dissected from the inner stripe of the outer medulla, theregion of the kidney highly enriched in MTALs, hyposmolality increasedPI 3-K activity 2.2-fold. Wortmannin blocked the hyposmolality-inducedPI 3-K activation. Further studies examined the interaction betweenhyposmolality and vasopressin, which inhibits HCO₃absorption in the MTAL via cAMP and often is involved in the development of plasma hyposmolality in clinical disorders. Pretreatment with arginine vasopressin, forskolin, or 8-bromo-cAMP abolished hyposmotic stimulation of HCO₃ absorption, due to aneffect of cAMP to inhibit hyposmolality- induced activation of PI 3-K.In contrast to their effects to block stimulation by hyposmolality, PI3-K inhibitors and vasopressin have no effect on inhibition of apicalNa⁺/H⁺ exchange (NHE3) andHCO₃ absorption by hyperosmolality. These resultsindicate that hyposmolality increases NHE3 activity andHCO₃ absorption in the MTAL through activation of aPI 3-K-dependent pathway that is inhibited by vasopressin and cAMP.Hyposmotic stimulation and hyperosmotic inhibition of NHE3 are mediatedthrough different signal transduction mechanisms.

     

Differential effects of superoxide on luminal and basolateral Na+/H+ exchange in the thick ascending limb

Superoxide (O2-) increases Na+ reabsorption in the thick ascending limb (THAL) by enhancing Na/K/2Cl cotransport. However, the effects of O2- on other THAL transporters, such as Na(+)/H+ exchangers, are unknown. We hypothesized that O2- stimulates Na(+)/H+ exchange in the THAL. We assessed total Na(+)/H+ exchange activity by measuring recovery of intracellular pH (pH(i)) after acid loading in isolated perfused THALs before and after adding xanthine oxidase (XO) and hypoxanthine (HX). We found that XO and HX decreased total pH(i) recovery rate from 0.26 +/- 0.05 to 0.21 +/- 0.04 pH units/min (P < 0.05), and this net inhibition decreased steady-state pH(i) from 7.52 to 7.37. Because THALs have different Na(+)/H+ exchanger isoforms on the luminal and basolateral membrane, we tested the effects of xanthine oxidase and hypoxanthine on luminal and basolateral Na(+)/H+ exchange by adding dimethylamiloride to either the bath or lumen. Xanthine oxidase and hypoxanthine increased luminal Na(+)/H+ exchange from 3.5 +/- 0.8 to 6.7 +/- 1.4 pmol.min(-1).mm(-1) (P < 0.01) but decreased basolateral Na(+)/H+ exchange from 10.8 +/- 1.8 to 6.8 +/- 1.1 pmol.min(-1).mm(-1) (P < 0.007). To ascertain whether these effects were caused by O2- or H2O2, we examined the ability of tempol, a superoxide dismutase mimetic, to block these effects. In the presence of tempol, xanthine oxidase and hypoxanthine had no effect on luminal or basolateral Na(+)/H+ exchange. We conclude that O2- inhibits basolateral and stimulates luminal Na(+)/H+ exchangers, perhaps because different isoforms are expressed on each membrane. Inhibition of basolateral Na(+)/H+ exchange may enhance stimulation of luminal Na(+)/H+ exchange by providing additional protons to be extruded across the luminal membrane. Together, the effects of O2- on Na(+)/H+ exchange may increase net HCO3- reabsorption by the THAL.     

CO2-stimulated NaCl absorption in the mouse renal cortical thick ascending limb of Henle. Evidence for synchronous Na +/H+ and Cl-/HCO3- exchange in apical plasma membranes

These experiments evaluated salt transport processes in isolated cortical thick limbs of Henle (cTALH) obtained from mouse kidney. When the external solutions consisted of Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate (KRB), pH 7.4, and a 95% O2-5% CO2 gas phase, the spontaneous transepithelial voltage (Ve, mV, lumen-to-bath) was approximately mV; the net rate of Cl- absorption (JnetCl) was approximately 3,600 pmols s-1 cm-2; the net rate of osmotic solute absorption Jnetosm was twice JnetCl; and the net rate of total CO2 transport (JnetCO2) was indistinguishable from zero. Thus, net Cl- absorption was accompanied by the net absorption of a monovalent cation, presumably Na+, and net HCO3- absorption was negligible. This salt transport process was stimulated by (CO2 + HCO3- ): omission of CO2 from the gas phase and HCO3- from external solutions reduced JnetCl, Jnetosm, and Ve by 50%. Furthermore, 10(-4) M luminal furosemide abolished JnetCl and Ve entirely. The lipophilic carbonic anhydrase inhibitor ethoxzolamide (10(-4) M, either luminal or peritubular) inhibited (CO2 + HCO3-)-stimulated JnetCl, Jnetosm, and Ve by approximately 50%; however, when the combination (CO2 + HCO3-) was absent, ethoxzolamide had no detectable effect on salt transport. Ve was reduced or abolished entirely by omission of either Na+ or Cl- from external solutions, by peritubular K+ removal, by 10(-3) M peritubular ouabain, and by 10(-4) M luminal SITS. However, Ve was unaffected by 10(-3) M peritubular SITS, or by the hydrophilic carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide (2.2 x 10(-4) M, lumen plus bath). We interpret these data to indicate that (CO2 + HCO3-)-stimulated NaCl absorption in the cTALH involved two synchronous apical membrane antiport processes: one exchanging luminal Na+ for cellular H+; and the other exchanging luminal Cl- for cellular HCO3- or OH-, operating in parallel with a (CO2+ HCO3-)-independent apical membrane NaCl cotransport mechanism.     

Nerve growth factor inhibits Na+/H+ exchange and formula absorption through parallel phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-mTOR and ERK pathways in thick ascending limb

In the medullary thick ascending limb, inhibiting the basolateral NHE1 Na(+)/H(+) exchanger with nerve growth factor (NGF) induces actin cytoskeleton remodeling that secondarily inhibits apical NHE3 and transepithelial HCO(3)(-) absorption. The inhibition by NGF is mediated 50% through activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Here we examined the signaling pathway responsible for the remainder of the NGF-induced inhibition. Inhibition of HCO(3)(-) absorption was reduced 45% by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors wortmannin or LY294002 and 50% by rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a downstream effector of PI3K. The combination of a PI3K inhibitor plus rapamycin did not cause a further reduction in the inhibition by NGF. In contrast, the combination of a PI3K inhibitor plus the MEK/ERK inhibitor U0126 completely eliminated inhibition by NGF. Rapamycin decreased NGF-induced inhibition of basolateral NHE1 by 45%. NGF induced a 2-fold increase in phosphorylation of Akt, a PI3K target linked to mTOR activation, and a 2.2-fold increase in the activity of p70 S6 kinase, a downstream effector of mTOR. p70 S6 kinase activation was blocked by wortmannin and rapamycin, consistent with PI3K, mTOR, and p70 S6 kinase in a linear pathway. Rapamycin-sensitive inhibition of NHE1 by NGF was associated with an increased level of phosphorylated mTOR in the basolateral membrane domain. These findings indicate that NGF inhibits HCO(3)(-) absorption in the medullary thick ascending limb through the parallel activation of PI3K-mTOR and ERK signaling pathways, which converge to inhibit NHE1. The results identify a role for mTOR in the regulation of Na(+)/H(+) exchange activity and implicate NHE1 as a possible downstream effector contributing to mTOR's effects on cell growth, proliferation, survival, and tumorigenesis.     

Neurotrophin-3 inhibits HCO3- absorption via a cAMP-dependent pathway in renal thick ascending limb

Neurotrophins are expressed in the adult kidney, but theirsignificance is unclear. We showed previously that nerve growth factor(NGF) inhibits HCO absorption in the rat medullarythick ascending limb (MTAL) via an extracellular signal-regulatedkinase (ERK)-dependent pathway. Here we examined whether otherneurotrophic factors affect MTAL HCO absorption.Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor had no effect. In contrast, neurotrophin-3 (NT-3,0.7 nM) inhibited HCO absorption by 40%(half-maximal inhibition at ~0.4 nM). Inhibition by NT-3 was additiveto inhibition by NGF. Inhibitors of ERK activation that blockinhibition by NGF had no effect on inhibition by NT-3. In contrast,8-bromo-cAMP or forskolin pretreatment blocked inhibition by NT-3 butnot NGF. Inhibition by NT-3 was also blocked by the specific proteinkinase A (PKA) inhibitor myristoylated PKI(14-22) amide and by vasopressin, which inhibits HCO absorption via cAMP. Inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase orprotein kinase C did not affect NT-3-induced inhibition, but inhibitionby NT-3 was eliminated by genistein, consistent with involvement of areceptor tyrosine kinase. These results demonstrate that NT-3 inhibitsHCO absorption via a cAMP- and PKA-dependentpathway. NT-3 and NGF regulate MTAL ion transport through differentsignal transduction mechanisms. These studies establish a direct rolefor NT-3 in regulation of renal tubule transport and identify the MTALas an important target for neurotrophins, which may be involved in thecontrol of renal acid excretion.

     

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 Na+/H+ and Cl-/HCO3- antiports in Vero cells

The effect of serum, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (TPA), and forskolin on the activity Na+/H+ antiport and the Na(+)-coupled and Na(+)-independent Cl-/HCO3- antiport was studied in Vero cells by measuring 22Na+ and 36Cl- fluxes and changes in cytosolic pH (pHi). The Na(+)-independent Cl-/HCO3- antiport, which acts as an acidifying mechanism, is strongly pH-sensitive. In serum-starved cells it is activated at alkaline cytosolic pH, with a half-maximal activity at pHi approximately 7.20. Incubation with serum increased the activity of the Na(+)-independent Cl-/HCO3- antiport at pHi values from 6.8 to 7.2. Thus serum appeared to alter the pHi sensitivity of this antiporter such that the threshold value for activation of the antiport was shifted to a more acidic value. Na+/H+ antiport was somewhat stimulated initially by addition of serum, but further incubation with serum (greater than 45 min) decreased its activity. The activity of the Na(+)-coupled Cl-/HCO3- antiport, which is the major alkalinizing antiport in Vero cells, was not altered by short-term incubation with serum (less than 10 min) but decreased after prolonged incubation (greater than 45 min). Our findings with TPA and forskolin indicate that the effect of serum is partly mediated by the protein kinase C pathway, whereas the cyclic adenosine monophosphate pathway does not appear to play an important role. The net effect of serum on the pHi-regulating antiports was a slight decrease in intracellular pH.     

Separate regulatory control of apical and basolateral Na+/H+ exchange in renal epithelial cells

Epithelial layers of LLC-PK1/PKE20 cells, a renal epithelial cell line which expresses Na+/H+ exchange activities in the apical as well as basolateral membrane domains, are examined in the single cell mode by microspectrofluorometry. We provide evidence that basolateral Na+/H+ exchange is more sensitive to amiloride inhibition than is apical Na+/H+ exchange. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the two exchange activities differ in their regulatory control: kinase A activation (forskolin, 8-Br-cAMP) leads to inhibition of both exchange activities, whereas kinase C activation (phorbol ester) stimulates basolateral and inhibits apical Na+/H+ exchange. Thus, renal epithelial cells may contain two Na+/H+ exchange activities: an apical ("epithelial") and basolateral ("housekeeping") which may serve different cellular functions and are under separate regulatory controls.     

Relative contributions of Na+/H+ exchange and Na+/HCO3- cotransport to ischemic Nai+ overload in isolated rat hearts

The Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) and/or the Na(+)/HCO(3)(-) cotransporter (NBC) were blocked during ischemia in isolated rat hearts. Intracellular Na(+) concentration ([Na(+)](i)), intracellular pH (pH(i)), and energy-related phosphates were measured by using simultaneous (23)Na and (31)P NMR spectroscopy. Hearts were subjected to 30 min of global ischemia and 30 min of reperfusion. Cariporide (3 microM) or HCO(3)(-)-free HEPES buffer was used, respectively, to block NHE, NBC, or both. End-ischemic [Na(+)](i) was 320 +/- 18% of baseline in HCO(3)(-)-perfused, untreated hearts, 184 +/- 6% of baseline when NHE was blocked, 253 +/- 19% of baseline when NBC was blocked, and 154 +/- 6% of baseline when both NHE and NBC were blocked. End-ischemic pH(i) was 6.09 +/- 0.06 in HCO(3)(-)-perfused, untreated hearts, 5.85 +/- 0.02 when NHE was blocked, 5.81 +/- 0.05 when NBC was blocked, and 5.70 +/- 0.01 when both NHE and NBC were blocked. NHE blockade was cardioprotective, but NBC blockade and combined blockade were not, the latter likely due to a reduction in coronary flow, because omission of HCO(3)(-) under conditions of NHE blockade severely impaired coronary flow. Combined blockade of NHE and NBC conserved intracellular H(+) load during reperfusion and led to massive Na(+) influx when blockades were lifted. Without blockade, both NHE and NBC mediate acid-equivalent efflux in exchange for Na(+) influx during ischemia, NHE much more than NBC. Blockade of either one does not affect the other.     

ANG II controls Na+-K+(NH+4)-2Cl- cotransport via 20-HETE and PKC in medullary thick ascending limb

Cell pH was monitored in medullary thick ascending limbs todetermine effects of ANG II onNa⁺-K⁺(NH⁺₄)-2Clcotransport. ANG II at 10¹⁶to 10¹² M inhibited30-50% (P < 0.005),but higher ANG II concentrations were stimulatory compared with the10¹² M ANG II levelcotransport activity; eventually,10⁶ M ANG II stimulated34% cotransport activity (P < 0.003). Inhibition by 10¹²M ANG II was abolished by phospholipase C (PLC), diacylglycerol lipase,or cytochrome P-450-dependentmonooxygenase blockade; 10¹² M ANG II had no effectadditive to inhibition by 20-hydroxyeicosatetranoic acid (20-HETE).Stimulation by 10⁶ M ANG IIwas abolished by PLC and protein kinase C (PKC) blockade and waspartially suppressed when the rise in cytosolicCa²⁺ was prevented. All ANG IIeffects were abolished by DUP-753 (losartan) but not by PD-123319. Thus10¹² M ANG II inhibitsvia 20-HETE, whereas 5 × 10¹¹ M ANG II stimulatesvia PKCNa⁺-K⁺(NH⁺₄)-2Clcotransport; all ANG II effects involveAT₁ receptors and PLC activation.

     

Apical and basolateral Na+/H+ exchange in the rabbit outer medullary thin descending limb of henle: Role in intracellular pH regulation

Summary The present study was designed to investigate the apical and basolateral transport processes responsible for intracellular pH regulation in the thin descending limb of Henle. Rabbit thin descending limbs of long-loop nephrons were perfused in vitro and intracellular pH (pH _i ) was measured using BCECF. Steady-state pH _i in HEPES buffered solutions (pH 7.4) was 7.18±0.03. Following the removal of luminal Na⁺, pH _i decreased at a rate of 1.96±0.37 pH/min. In the presence of luminal amiloride (1mm), the rate of decrease of pH _i was significantly less, 0.73±0.18 pH/min. Steady-state pH _i decreased 0.18 pH units following the addition of amiloride (1mm) to the lumen (Na⁺ 140mm lumen and bath). When Na⁺ was removed from the basolateral side of the tubule, pH _i decreased at a rate of 0.49±0.05 pH/min. The rate of decrease of pH _i was significantly less in the presence of 1mm basolateral amiloride, 0.29±0.04 pH/min. Addition of 1mm amiloride to the basolateral side (Na⁺ 140mm lumen and bath) caused steady-state pH _i to decrease significantly by 0.06 pH units. When pH _i was acutely decreased to 5.87±0.02 following NH₄Cl removal (lumen, bath), pH _i failed to recover in the absence of Na⁺ (lumen, bath). Addition of 140mm Na⁺ to the lumen caused pH _i to recover at a rate of 2.17±0.59 pH/min. The rate of pH _i recovery was inhibited 93% by 1mm luminal amiloride. When 140mm Na⁺ was added to the basolateral side, pH _i recovered only partially at 0.38±0.07 pH/min. Addition of 1mm basolateral amiloride inhibited the recovery of pH _i , by 97%. The results demonstrate that the rabbit thin descending limb of long-loop nephrons possesses apical and basolateral Na⁺/N⁺ antiporters. In the steady state, the rate of Na⁺-dependent H⁺ flux across the apical antiporter exceeds the rate of Na⁺-dependent H⁺ flux via the basolateral antiporter. Recovery of pH _i following acute intracellular acidification is Na⁺ dependent and mediated primarily by the luminal antiporter.     

Monensin Inhibition of Na+-Dependent HCO3- Transport Distinguishes It from Na+-Independent HCO3- Transport and Provides Evidence for Na+/HCO3- Symport in the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus UTEX 625

The effect of monensin, an ionophore that mediates Na+/H+ exchange, on the activity of the inorganic carbon transport systems of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus UTEX 625 was investigated using transport assays based on the measurement of chlorophyll a fluorescence emission or 14C uptake. In Synechococcus cells grown in standing culture at about 20 [mu]M CO2 + HCO3-, 50 [mu]M monensin transiently inhibited active CO2 and Na+-independent HCO3- transport, intracellular CO2 and HCO3- accumulation, and photosynthesis in the presence but not in the absence of 25 mM Na+. These activities returned to near-normal levels within 15 min. Transient inhibition was attributed to monensin-mediated intracellular alkalinization, whereas recovery may have been facilitated by cellular mechanisms involved in pH homeostasis or by monensin-mediated H+ uptake with concomitant K+ efflux. In air-grown cells grown at 200 [mu]M CO2 + HCO3- and standing culture cells, Na+-dependent HCO3- transport, intracellular HCO3- accumulation, and photosynthesis were also inhibited by monensin, but there was little recovery in activity over time. However, normal photosynthetic activity could be restored to air-grown cells by the addition of carbonic anhydrase, which increased the rate of CO2 supply to the cells. This observation indicated that of all the processes required to support photosynthesis only Na+-dependent HCO3- transport was significantly inhibited by monensin. Monensin-mediated dissipation of the Na+ chemical gradient between the medium and the cells largely accounted for the decline in the HCO3- accumulation ratio from 751 to 55. The two HCO3- transport systems were further distinguished in that Na+-dependent HCO3- transport was inhibited by Li+, whereas Na+-independent HCO3- transport was not. It is suggested that Na+-dependent HCO3- transport involves an Na+/HCO3- symport mechanism that is energized by the Na+ electrochemical potential.     

Basolateral LPS inhibits NHE3 and HCOFormula absorption through TLR4/MyD88-dependent ERK activation in medullary thick ascending limb

Sepsis is associated with defects in renal tubule function, but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Recently, we demonstrated that Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inhibits HCO(3)(-) absorption in the medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) through activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Here, we examined the mechanisms responsible for inhibition of HCO(3)(-) absorption by basolateral LPS. Adding LPS to the bath decreased HCO(3)(-) absorption by 30% in rat and mouse MTALs perfused in vitro. The inhibition of HCO(3)(-) absorption was eliminated by the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK)/ERK inhibitors U0126 and PD98059. LPS induced a rapid (<15 min) and sustained (up to 60 min) increase in ERK phosphorylation in microdissected MTALs that was blocked by PD98059. The effects of basolateral LPS to activate ERK and inhibit HCO(3)(-) absorption were eliminated in MTALs from TLR4(-/-) and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)(-/-) mice but were preserved in MTALs from TIR (Toll/interleukin-1 receptor) domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (Trif)(-/-) mice. Basolateral LPS decreased apical Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 3 NHE3 activity through a decrease in maximal velocity (V(max)). The inhibition of NHE3 by LPS was eliminated by MEK/ERK inhibitors. LPS inhibited HCO(3)(-) absorption despite the presence of physiological stimuli that activate ERK in the MTAL. We conclude that basolateral LPS inhibits HCO(3)(-) absorption in the MTAL through activation of a TLR4/MyD88/MEK/ERK pathway coupled to inhibition of NHE3. These studies identify NHE3 as a target of TLR4 signaling in the MTAL and show that bacterial molecules can impair the absorptive functions of renal tubules through inhibition of this exchanger. The ERK pathway links TLR4 to downstream modulation of ion transport proteins and represents a potential target for treatment of sepsis-induced renal tubule dysfunction.     

Polarization of Na(+)/H(+) and Cl(-)/HCO (3)(-) exchangers in migrating renal epithelial cells

Cell migration is crucial for processes such as immune defense, wound healing, or the formation of tumor metastases. Typically, migrating cells are polarized within the plane of movement with lamellipodium and cell body representing the front and rear of the cell, respectively. Here, we address the question of whether this polarization also extends to the distribution of ion transporters such as Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) and anion exchanger in the plasma membrane of migrating cells. Both transporters are required for locomotion of renal epithelial (Madin-Darby canine kidney, MDCK-F) cells and human melanoma cells since their blockade reduces the rate of migration in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of migration of MDCK-F cells by NHE blockers is accompanied by a decrease of pH(i). However, when cells are acidified with weak organic acids, migration of MDCK-F cells is normal despite an even more pronounced decrease of pH(i). Under these conditions, NHE activity is increased so that cells are swelling due to the accumulation of organic anions and Na(+). When exclusively applied to the lamellipodium, blockers of NHE or anion exchange inhibit migration of MDCK-F cells as effectively as when applied to the entire cell surface. When they are directed to the cell body, migration is not affected. These data are confirmed immunocytochemically in that the anion exchanger AE2 is concentrated at the front of MDCK-F cells. Our findings show that NHE and anion exchanger are distributed in a polarized way in migrating cells. They are consistent with important contributions of both transporters to protrusion of the lamellipodium via solute uptake and consequent volume increase at the front of migrating cells.     

A Na+- and Cl- -activated K+ channel in the thick ascending limb of mouse kidney

This study investigates the presence and properties of Na+-activated K+ (K(Na)) channels in epithelial renal cells. Using real-time PCR on mouse microdissected nephron segments, we show that Slo2.2 mRNA, which encodes for the K(Na) channels of excitable cells, is expressed in the medullary and cortical thick ascending limbs of Henle's loop, but not in the other parts of the nephron. Patch-clamp analysis revealed the presence of a high conductance K+ channel in the basolateral membrane of both the medullary and cortical thick ascending limbs. This channel was highly K+ selective (P(K)/P(Na) approximately 20), its conductance ranged from 140 to 180 pS with subconductance levels, and its current/voltage relationship displayed intermediate, Na+-dependent, inward rectification. Internal Na+ and Cl- activated the channel with 50% effective concentrations (EC50) and Hill coefficients (nH) of 30 +/- 1 mM and 3.9 +/- 0.5 for internal Na+, and 35 +/- 10 mM and 1.3 +/- 0.25 for internal Cl-. Channel activity was unaltered by internal ATP (2 mM) and by internal pH, but clearly decreased when internal free Ca2+ concentration increased. This is the first demonstration of the presence in the epithelial cell membrane of a functional, Na+-activated, large-conductance K+ channel that closely resembles native K(Na) channels of excitable cells. This Slo2.2 type, Na+- and Cl--activated K+ channel is primarily located in the thick ascending limb, a major renal site of transcellular NaCl reabsorption.