scholarly journals Effects of ammonium on intracellular pH in rat medullary thick ascending limb: mechanisms of apical membrane NH4+ transport.

1994 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. 917-936 ◽  
Author(s):  
B A Watts ◽  
D W Good

The renal medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) actively reabsorbs ammonium ions. To examine the effects of NH4+ transport on intracellular pH (pHi) and the mechanisms of apical membrane NH4+ transport, MTALs from rats were isolated and perfused in vitro with 25 mM HCO3(-)-buffered solutions (pH 7.4). pHi was monitored using the fluorescent dye BCECF. In the absence of NH4+, the mean pHi was 7.16. Luminal addition of 20 mM NH4+ caused a rapid intracellular acidification (dpHi/dt = 11.1 U/min) and reduced the steady state pHi to 6.67 (delta pHi = 0.5 U), indicating that apical NH4+ entry was more rapid than entry of NH3. Luminal furosemide (10(-4) M) reduced the initial rate of cell acidification by 70% and the fall in steady state pHi by 35%. The residual acidification observed with furosemide was inhibited by luminal barium (12 mM), indicating that apical NH4+ entry occurred via both furosemide (Na(+)-NH4(+)-2Cl- cotransport) and barium-sensitive pathways. The role of these pathways in NH4+ absorption was assessed under symmetric ammonium conditions. With 4 mM NH4+ in perfusate and bath, mean steady state pHi was 6.61 and net ammonium absorption was 12 pmol/min/mm. Addition of furosemide to the lumen abolished net ammonium absorption and caused pHi to increase abruptly (dpHi/dt = 0.8 U/min) to 7.0. Increasing luminal [K+] from 4 to 25 mM caused a similar, rapid cell alkalinization. The pronounced cell alkalinization observed with furosemide or increasing [K+] was not observed in the absence of NH4+. In symmetric 4 mM NH4+ solutions, addition of barium to the lumen caused a slow intracellular alkalinization and reduced net ammonium absorption only by 14%. Conclusions: (a) ammonium transport is a critical determinant of pHi in the MTAL, with NH4+ absorption markedly acidifying the cells and maneuvers that inhibit apical NH4+ uptake (furosemide or elevation of luminal [K+]) causing intracellular alkalinization; (b) most or all of transcellular ammonium absorption is mediated by apical membrane Na(+)-NH4(+)-2Cl- cotransport; (c) NH4+ also permeates a barium-sensitive apical membrane transport pathway (presumably apical membrane K+ channels) but this pathway does not contribute significantly to ammonium absorption under physiologic (symmetric ammonium) conditions.

2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (1) ◽  
pp. F57-F63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruns A. Watts ◽  
David W. Good

Absorption of HCO3− in the medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) is mediated by apical membrane Na+/H+ exchange. The identity and function of other apical acid-base transporters in this segment have not been defined. The present study was designed to examine apical membrane HCO3−/OH−/H+ transport pathways in the rat MTAL and to determine their role in transepithelial HCO3− absorption. MTALs were perfused in vitro in Na+- and Cl−-free solutions containing 25 mM HCO3−, 5% CO2. Lumen addition of either 120 mM Cl− or 50 mM Na+ (50 μM EIPA present) had no effect on intracellular pH (pHi). Lumen Cl− addition also had no effect on pHi in the presence of 145 mM Na+ or in the nominal absence of HCO3−/CO2. Thus there was no evidence for apical Cl−/HCO3− (OH−) exchange, Na+-dependent Cl−/HCO3− exchange, or Na+-HCO3− cotransport. In contrast, in tubules studied in Na+- and Cl−-free solutions containing 25 mM HCO3−, 5% CO2 and 120 mM K+, removal of luminal K+ induced a rapid and pronounced decrease in pHi (ΔpHi = 0.56 ± 0.06 pH U). pHi recovered following lumen K+ readdition. The initial rate of net base efflux induced by lumen K+ removal was decreased 85% at the same pHi in the nominal absence of HCO3−/CO2, indicating a dependence on HCO3−/CO2 and arguing against apical K+/H+ exchange. A combination of the apical K+ channel blockers quinidine (0.1 mM) and glybenclamide (0.25 mM) had no effect on the lumen K+-induced pHi changes, arguing against electrically coupled K+ and HCO3− conductances. The effect of lumen K+ on pHi was inhibited by 1 mM H2DIDS. In addition, lumen addition of DIDS increased transepithelial HCO3− absorption from 10.7 ± 0.7 to 14.9 ± 0.7 pmol·min−1·mm−1 ( P < 0.001) and increased pHi slightly in MTAL studied in physiological solutions (25 mM HCO3− and 4 mM K+). Lumen DIDS stimulated HCO3− absorption in the absence and presence of furosemide. These results are consistent with an apical membrane K+-dependent HCO3− transport pathway that mediates coupled transfer of K+ and HCO3− from cell to lumen in the MTAL. This mechanism, possibly an apical K+-HCO3− cotransporter, functions in parallel with apical Na+/H+ exchange and opposes transepithelial HCO3− absorption.


1996 ◽  
Vol 270 (4) ◽  
pp. F691-F699 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Good ◽  
B. A. Watts

The medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) of the rat actively absorbs both HCO3- and ammonium. The roles of apical membranes Na+/H+ exchange in these processes and in determining steady-state intracellular pH (pHi) were examined in MTAL perfused in vitro with solutions containing 146 mM Na+ and 25 mM HCO3- (pH 7.4). Addition of 1 mM amiloride or 50 microM ethylisopropylamiloride (EIPA) to the lumen decreased HCO3- absorption (JHCO3) from 10.6 +/- 0.5 to 2.3 +/- 0.3 pmol.min-1.mm-1 (P < 0.001) and pHi from 7.10 +/- 0.02 to 6.86 +/- 0.03 (P < 0.001). The combination of lumen Na+ replacement plus amiloride abolished JHCO3. Chronic metabolic acidosis (CMA) caused a 32% increase in JHCO3 that was inhibited by luminal amiloride. Addition of 4 mM NH4Cl to perfusate and bath markedly decreased pHi (from 7.10 to 6.70) but did not stimulate luminal H+ secretion as assessed by HCO3- absorption. With 4 mM NH4Cl in perfusate and bath, luminal addition of amiloride decreased pHi from 6.70 +/- 0.06 to 6.50 +/- 0.05 (P < 0.005) but had no effect on net ammonium absorption. These results demonstrate that 1) apical membrane Na+/H+ exchange mediates virtually all of HCO3- absorption and is an important determinant of steady-state pHi in the MTAL; 2) the adaptive increase in HCO3- absorption in CMA is mediated by an increase in apical membrane Na+/H+ exchange; 3) ammonium markedly acidifies the cells but does not stimulate luminal acidification, suggesting that pHi is not a predominant influence on apical Na+/H+ exchange activity and that H+ generated in the cells as the result of transcellular ammonium absorption is extruded across the basolateral membrane; and 4) apical membrane Na+/H+ exchange is not important for ammonium absorption.


2002 ◽  
Vol 282 (4) ◽  
pp. F655-F668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soline Bourgeois ◽  
Sandrine Massé ◽  
Michel Paillard ◽  
Pascal Houillier

Mechanisms involved in basolateral HCO[Formula: see text] transport were examined in the in vitro microperfused rat medullary thick ascending limb of Henle (MTALH) by microfluorometric monitoring of cell pH. Removing peritubular Cl− induced a cellular alkalinization that was inhibited in the presence of peritubular 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and blunted in the absence of external CO2/HCO[Formula: see text]. The alkalinization elicited by removing peritubular Cl−persisted in the bilateral absence of Na+, together with a voltage clamp. When studied in Cl−-free solutions, lowering peritubular pH induced a base efflux that was inhibited by peritubular DIDS or by the absence of external CO2/HCO[Formula: see text]. Removing peritubular Na+ elicited a cellular acidification that was accounted for by stimulation of a DIDS- and ethylisopropylamiloride (EIPA)-insensitive Na+-HCO[Formula: see text] cotransport and inhibition of a basolateral Na+/H+exchange. Increasing bath K+ induced an intracellular alkalinization that was inhibited in the absence of external CO2/HCO[Formula: see text]. At 2 mM, peritubular Ba2+, which inhibits the K+-Cl−cotransport, did not induce any change in transepithelial voltage but elicited a cellular alkalinization and inhibited K+-induced cellular alkalinization, consistent with the presence of a basolateral, electroneutral Ba2+-sensitive K+-Cl− cotransport that may operate as a K+-HCO[Formula: see text] cotransport. This cotransport was inhibited in the peritubular presence of furosemide, [(dihydroindenyl)oxy]alkanoic acid, 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoate, or DIDS. At least three distinct basolateral HCO[Formula: see text] transport mechanisms are functional under physiological conditions: electroneutral Cl−/HCO[Formula: see text] exchange, DIDS- and EIPA-insensitive Na+-HCO[Formula: see text] cotransport, and Ba2+-sensitive electroneutral K+-Cl−(HCO[Formula: see text]) cotransport.


1986 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 567-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
S C Hebert ◽  
T E Andreoli

Net Cl- absorption in the mouse medullary thick ascending limb of Henle (mTALH) involves a furosemide-sensitive Na+:K+:2 Cl- apical membrane symport mechanism for salt entry into cells, which occurs in parallel with a Ba++-sensitive apical K+ conductance. The present studies, using the in vitro microperfused mouse mTALH, assessed the concentration dependence of blockade of this apical membrane K+-conductive pathway by Ba++ to provide estimates of the magnitudes of the transcellular (Gc) and paracellular (Gs) electrical conductances (millisiemens per square centimeter). These studies also evaluated the effects of luminal hypertonicity produced by urea on the paracellular electrical conductance, the electrical Na+/Cl- permselectivity ratio, and the morphology of in vitro mTALH segments exposed to peritubular antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Increasing luminal Ba++ concentrations, in the absence of luminal K+, produced a progressive reduction in the transcellular conductance that was maximal at 20 mM Ba++. The Ba++-sensitive transcellular conductance in the presence of ADH was 61.8 +/- 1.7 mS/cm2, or approximately 65% of the total transepithelial conductance. In phenomenological terms, the luminal Ba++-dependent blockade of the transcellular conductance exhibited negative cooperativity. The transepithelial osmotic gradient produced by luminal urea produced blebs on apical surfaces, a striking increase in shunt conductance, and a decrease in the shunt Na+/Cl- permselectivity (PNa/PCl), which approached that of free solution. The transepithelial conductance obtained with luminal 800 mM urea, 20 mM Ba++, and 0 K+ was 950 +/- 150 mS/cm2 and provided an estimate of the maximal diffusion resistance of intercellular spaces, exclusive of junctional complexes. The calculated range for junctional dilution voltages owing to interspace salt accumulation during ADH-dependent net NaCl absorption was 0.7-1.1 mV. Since the Ve accompanying ADH-dependent net NaCl absorption is 10 mV, lumen positive, virtually all of the spontaneous transepithelial voltage in the mouse mTALH is due to transcellular transport processes. Finally, we developed a series of expressions in which the ratio of net Cl- absorption to paracellular Na+ absorption could be expressed in terms of a series of electrical variables. Specifically, an analysis of paired measurement of PNa/PCl and Gs was in agreement with an electroneutral Na+:K+:2 Cl- apical entry step. Thus, for net NaCl absorption, approximately 50% of Na+ was absorbed via a paracellular route.


1992 ◽  
Vol 262 (2) ◽  
pp. F241-F247 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Sun ◽  
D. Kikeri ◽  
S. C. Hebert

We assessed in isolated perfused mouse medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) segments Na(+)-H+ antiporter activity in both apical and basolateral membranes and the effects of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on the activities of these antiporters under isotonic conditions using 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein to monitor intracellular pH (pHi). When the apical Na(+)-H+ antiporter was inhibited in the absence of AVP with removal of luminal Na+ plus addition of 0.5 mM amiloride, a small but significant increase in pHi was observed after luminal NH4Cl-induced acidification of MTAL cells to pHi less than 6.7. This increase in pHi was dependent on basolateral Na+ and inhibited with 0.5 mM basolateral amiloride, consistent with the function of a basolateral Na(+)-H+ antiporter. Basolateral AVP (100 microU/ml) enhanced the rate of pHi recovery due to the basolateral Na(+)-H+ antiporter by more than twofold. In contrast, AVP decreased the apical Na(+)-H+ antiporter activity by 50%. In the absence of AVP, addition of 0.5 mM amiloride to the luminal perfusate reduced steady-state pHi by 0.40 +/- 0.07 units, whereas exposure of the basolateral membrane to the same concentration of amiloride had no effect on pHi (delta pHi = 0.01 +/- 0.01 units). AVP reduced the magnitude of cell acidification on exposure of apical membranes to amiloride (delta pHi = 0.16 +/- 0.03) but increased the pHi response to basolateral amiloride (delta pHi = 0.09 +/- 0.00). Thus Na(+)-H+ antiporters are present on both apical and basolateral membranes of the mouse MTAL in the absence of AVP. AVP stimulates the basolateral, while inhibiting the apical, Na(+)-H+ antiporter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


1987 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 329-338
Author(s):  
B. L. Tufts ◽  
M. Nikinmaa ◽  
J. F. Steffensen ◽  
D. J. Randall

The effects of different pharmacological agents and incubation media on the intracellular pH and water content of Amphiuma erythrocytes were investigated in vitro. Adrenaline had no significant effect on the intracellular pH or cell water content. DIDS caused an intracellular alkalinization that could be abolished by amiloride, ouabain or removal of sodium from the incubation medium. In addition, amiloride and DIDS both caused a decrease in cell water content. The data indicate that sodium/proton and chloride/bicarbonate exchangers are present on the membrane of Amphiuma erythrocytes and these exchangers are active under steady-state conditions.


2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (2) ◽  
pp. F334-F343 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Good ◽  
Thampi George ◽  
Bruns A. Watts

A high sodium intake increases the capacity of the medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) to absorb HCO3−. Here, we examined the role of the apical NHE3 and basolateral NHE1 Na+/H+ exchangers in this adaptation. MTALs from rats drinking H2O or 0.28 M NaCl for 5–7 days were perfused in vitro. High sodium intake increased HCO3− absorption rate by 60%. The increased HCO3− absorptive capacity was mediated by an increase in apical NHE3 activity. Inhibiting basolateral NHE1 with bath amiloride eliminated 60% of the adaptive increase in HCO3− absorption. Thus the majority of the increase in NHE3 activity was dependent on NHE1. A high sodium intake increased basolateral Na+/H+ exchange activity by 89% in association with an increase in NHE1 expression. High sodium intake increased apical Na+/H+ exchange activity by 30% under conditions in which basolateral Na+/H+ exchange was inhibited but did not change NHE3 abundance. These results suggest that high sodium intake increases HCO3− absorptive capacity in the MTAL through 1) an adaptive increase in basolateral NHE1 activity that results secondarily in an increase in apical NHE3 activity; and 2) an adaptive increase in NHE3 activity, independent of NHE1 activity. These studies support a role for NHE1 in the long-term regulation of renal tubule function and suggest that the regulatory interaction whereby NHE1 enhances the activity of NHE3 in the MTAL plays a role in the chronic regulation of HCO3− absorption. The adaptive increases in Na+/H+ exchange activity and HCO3− absorption in the MTAL may play a role in enabling the kidneys to regulate acid-base balance during changes in sodium and volume balance.


2017 ◽  
Vol 313 (1) ◽  
pp. F103-F115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruns A. Watts ◽  
Thampi George ◽  
Edward R. Sherwood ◽  
David W. Good

Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) is a detoxified derivative of LPS that induces tolerance to LPS and augments host resistance to bacterial infections. Previously, we demonstrated that LPS inhibits [Formula: see text] absorption in the medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) through a basolateral Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-ERK pathway. Here we examined whether pretreatment with MPLA would attenuate LPS inhibition. MTALs from rats were perfused in vitro with MPLA (1 µg/ml) in bath and lumen or bath alone for 2 h, and then LPS was added to (and MPLA removed from) the bath solution. Pretreatment with MPLA eliminated LPS-induced inhibition of [Formula: see text] absorption. In MTALs pretreated with MPLA plus a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) or Akt inhibitor, LPS decreased [Formula: see text] absorption. MPLA increased Akt phosphorylation in dissected MTALs. The Akt activation was eliminated by a PI3K inhibitor and in MTALs from TLR4−/−or Toll/IL-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-β (TRIF)−/−mice. The effect of MPLA to prevent LPS inhibition of [Formula: see text] absorption also was TRIF dependent. Pretreatment with MPLA prevented LPS-induced ERK activation; this effect was dependent on PI3K. MPLA alone had no effect on [Formula: see text] absorption, and MPLA pretreatment did not prevent ERK-mediated inhibition of [Formula: see text] absorption by aldosterone, consistent with MPLA's low toxicity profile. These results demonstrate that pretreatment with MPLA prevents the effect of LPS to inhibit [Formula: see text] absorption in the MTAL. This protective effect is mediated directly through MPLA stimulation of a TLR4-TRIF-PI3K-Akt pathway that prevents LPS-induced ERK activation. These studies identify detoxified TLR4-based immunomodulators as novel potential therapeutic agents to prevent or treat renal tubule dysfunction in response to bacterial infections.


1996 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 1090-1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lahiri ◽  
R. Iturriaga ◽  
A. Mokashi ◽  
F. Botre ◽  
D. Chugh ◽  
...  

The hypotheses that the chemosensory discharge rate parallels the intracellular pH (pHi) during hypercapnia and that the initial change in pHi (delta pHi) is always more than the stead-state delta pHi were studied by using cat carotid bodies in vitro at 36.5 degrees C in the absence and presence of methazolamide (30-100 mg/l). Incremental acidic hypercapnia was followed by an incremental initial peak response and a greater adaptation. A given acidic hypercapnia elicited a rapid initial response followed by a slower adaptation; isohydric hypercapnia produced an equally rapid initial response but of smaller magnitude that returned to near-baseline level; alkaline hypercapnia induced a similar rapid initial response but one of still smaller magnitude that decreased rapidly to below the baseline. Methazolamide eliminated the initial overshoot, which also suggested involvement of the initial rapid pHi in the overshoot. These results show that the initial delta pHi is always greater than the steady-state delta pHi and during hypercapnia. Also, the steady-state chemoreceptor activity varied linearly with the extracellular pH, indicating a linear relationship between extracellular pH and pHi.


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