Polarity of alveolar epithelial cell acid-base permeability

2002 ◽  
Vol 282 (4) ◽  
pp. L675-L683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilip Joseph ◽  
Omar Tirmizi ◽  
Xiao-Ling Zhang ◽  
Edward D. Crandall ◽  
Richard L. Lubman

We investigated acid-base permeability properties of electrically resistive monolayers of alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) grown in primary culture. AEC monolayers were grown on tissue culture-treated polycarbonate filters. Filters were mounted in a partitioned cuvette containing two fluid compartments (apical and basolateral) separated by the adherent monolayer, cells were loaded with the pH-sensitive dye 2′,7′-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, and intracellular pH was determined. Monolayers in HCO[Formula: see text]-free Na+ buffer (140 mM Na+, 6 mM HEPES, pH 7.4) maintained a transepithelial pH gradient between the two fluid compartments over 30 min. Replacement of apical fluid by acidic (6.4) or basic (8.0) buffer resulted in minimal changes in intracellular pH. Replacement of basolateral fluid by acidic or basic buffer resulted in transmembrane proton fluxes and intracellular acidification or alkalinization. Intracellular alkalinization was blocked ≥80% by 100 μM dimethylamiloride, an inhibitor of Na+/H+exchange, whereas acidification was not affected by a series of acid/base transport inhibitors. Additional experiments in which AEC monolayers were grown in the presence of acidic (6.4) or basic (8.0) medium revealed differential effects on bioelectric properties depending on whether extracellular pH was altered in apical or basolateral fluid compartments bathing the cells. Acid exposure reduced (and base exposure increased) short-circuit current from the basolateral side; apical exposure did not affect short-circuit current in either case. We conclude that AEC monolayers are relatively impermeable to transepithelial acid/base fluxes, primarily because of impermeability of intercellular junctions and of the apical, rather than basolateral, cell membrane. The principal basolateral acid exit pathway observed under these experimental conditions is Na+/H+ exchange, whereas proton uptake into cells occurs across the basolateral cell membrane by a different, undetermined mechanism. These results are consistent with the ability of the alveolar epithelium to maintain an apical-to-basolateral (air space-to-blood) pH gradient in situ.

Author(s):  
Saurabh Aggarwal ◽  
Ahmed Lazrak ◽  
Israr Ahmad ◽  
Zhihong Yu ◽  
Ayesha Bryant ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTWe previously reported that cell-free heme (CFH) is increased in the plasma of patients with acute and chronic lung injury and causes pulmonary edema in animal model of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) post inhalation of halogen gas. However, the mechanisms by which CFH causes pulmonary edema are unclear. Herein we report for the first time the presence of CFH and chlorinated lipids (formed by the interaction of halogen gas, Cl2, with plasmalogens) in the plasma of patients and mice exposed to Cl2 gas. Ex vivo incubation of red blood cells (RBC) with halogenated lipids caused oxidative damage to RBC cytoskeletal protein spectrin, resulting in hemolysis and release of CFH. A single intramuscular injection of the heme-scavenging protein hemopexin (4 µg/kg body weight) in mice, one hour post halogen exposure, reversed RBC fragility and decreased CFH levels to those of air controls. Patch clamp and short circuit current measurements revealed that CFH inhibited the activity of amiloride-sensitive (ENaC) and cation sodium (Na+) channels in mouse alveolar cells and trans-epithelial Na+ transport across human airway cells with EC50 of 125 nM and 500 nM, respectively. Molecular modeling identified 22 putative heme-docking sites on ENaC (energy of binding range: 86-1563 kJ/mol) with at least 2 sites within its narrow transmembrane pore, potentially capable of blocking Na+ transport across the channel. In conclusion, results suggested that CFH mediated inhibition of ENaC activity may be responsible for pulmonary edema post inhalation injury.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rossana Occhipinti ◽  
Soroush Safaei ◽  
Peter J. Hunter ◽  
Walter F. Boron

The classic Boron & De Weer (1976) paper provided the first evidence of active regulation of pH} in cells by an energy-dependent acid-base transporter. These authors also developed a quantitative model --- comprising passive fluxes of acid-base equivalents across the cell membrane, intracellular reactions, and an active transport mechanism in the cell membrane (modelled as a proton pump) --- to help interpret their measurements of intracellular pH under perturbations of both extracellular CO2/HCO3- and extracellular NH3/NH4+. This Physiome paper seeks to make that model, and the experimental conditions under which it was developed, available in a reproducible and well-documented form, along with a software implementation that makes the model easy to use and understand. We have also taken the opportunity to update some of the units used in the original paper, and to provide a few parameter values that were missing in the original paper. Finally, we provide an historical background to the Boron & De Weer (1976) proposal for active pH regulation and a commentary on subsequent work that has enriched our understanding of this most basic aspect of cellular physiology.


1991 ◽  
Vol 155 (1) ◽  
pp. 455-467
Author(s):  
R. BRENT THOMSON ◽  
N. AUDSLEY ◽  
JOHN E. PHILLIPS

The commonly used method of passing short-circuit current (Isc) across insect epithelia through Ag-AgCl electrodes, without the use of salt bridges, leads to significant OH− production at the cathode (lumen side) when high currents are applied. The alkalization of the lumen previously reported when cyclic AMP was added to short-circuited locust hindgut is a result of this phenomenon rather than cyclic-AMP-mediated stimulation of acid-base transport in the hindgut. When salt bridges are used to pass short-circuit current across locust hindgut, acid secretion (JH) into the lumen equals alkaline movement (JOH) to the haemocoel side, and JH is similar under both open- and short-circuit conditions. JH is similar (1.5 μequiv cm−2 h−1) in recta and ilea. Addition of cyclic AMP inhibits JH across the rectum by 42–66%, but has no effect on the ileum when salt bridges are used. Electrical parameters (Isc, Vt, Rt) reflecting hindgut Cl− transport (JCL) before and after stimulation with cyclic AMP are the same whether or not salt bridges are used. We found no evidence of any coupling between JCl and JH/JOH.


1986 ◽  
Vol 251 (4) ◽  
pp. C643-C648 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Demarest ◽  
C. Scheffey ◽  
T. E. Machen

The short-circuit current (Isc) of resting Necturus gastric mucosa (approximately 20 microA/cm2) can be attributed to the algebraic sum of the net Cl- secretion and amiloride-inhibitable net Na+ absorption. We have attempted to identify the cell types [surface epithelial cells (SCs) or oxyntic cells (OCs)] responsible for the transport of these ions in Necturus gastric mucosa using microelectrodes (ME) and a vibrating probe (VP). Mucosae were mounted horizontally in an open-topped Plexiglas chamber either serosal side up for basolateral ME impalements of OCs or mucosal side up for apical impalements of SCs and VP measurements. Cell impalements were made under open-circuit conditions, and VP measurements were performed under short-circuit conditions. Impalements of OCs indicate that neither the ratio of their apical to basolateral cell membrane resistances (Ra/Rb = 1.3 +/- 0.2) nor their cell membrane potentials were affected by 10(-6) M mucosal amiloride. In contrast, impalements of SCs indicate that amiloride increased their Ra/Rb from 3.5 +/- 0.2 to 15.6 +/- 1.8 and hyperpolarized both cell membrane potentials by greater than 20 mV. VP measurements showed that the amiloride-induced change in the current from SCs (5.6 microA/cm2) accounted for the amiloride-induced change in the Isc (5.5 microA/cm2). A non-zero current (4.4 +/- 1.0 microA/cm2) measured over SCs in the presence of amiloride was due to contamination from current arising from the gastric crypts that contain the OCs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


1986 ◽  
Vol 250 (4) ◽  
pp. C609-C616 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Durham ◽  
W. Nagel

Transmembrane electrical parameters of the epithelial cells in short-circuited turtle bladders were measured to determine whether those cells participating in Na reabsorption also participate in electrogenic transepithelial acidification and alkalinization. Amiloride-induced increases in intracellular potential (Vsca), apical fractional resistance (FRa), and concomitant decreases in short-circuit current (Isc) denote the participation of the impaled cells in Na reabsorption. In bladders from postabsorptive turtles, amiloride increased Vsca by -45 mV, increased FRa by 37%, and decreased Isc from 36 to -10 microA/cm2. In bladders from NaHCO3-loaded turtles, amiloride increased Vsca by -21 mV, FRa by 21%, and decreased Isc from 22 to 0 microA/cm2. Neither the subsequent inhibition of the negative acidification current in postabsorptive bladders, nor stimulation of positive alkalinization current in bladders from NaHCO3-loaded turtles was associated with any transmembrane electrical change that could be attributed to changes in those transport processes. It is concluded that the electrogenic luminal acidification and alkalinization processes of the turtle bladder are not produced by, or electrically coupled to, those cells that are involved in Na reabsorption.


1990 ◽  
Vol 258 (4) ◽  
pp. L201-L206 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. O'Brodovich ◽  
B. Rafii ◽  
M. Post

To investigate the bioelectric properties on one of the cell types that line the distal lung unit, we isolated type II alveolar epithelium from 18- to 20-day gestation fetal rats (term = 22 days) and grew them on collagen-coated nitrocellulose filters. Amiloride impaired ion transport in a dose-dependent fashion (10(-4) to 10(-6) M) with 10(-4) M decreasing potential difference (PD) (mean +/- SE, 2.0 +/- 0.49 to 0.9 +/- 0.26 mV, P less than 0.01, lumen negative) and short-circuit current (Isc) (7.0 +/- 1.0 to 2.4 +/- 0.64 uA/cm2, P less than 0.01) without affecting resistance (R) (241 +/- 33 to 216 +/- 41 omega. cm2). Benzamil (10(-5) M) but not dimethylamiloride (10(-5) M) decreased Isc. Terbutaline (10(-3) M) increased PD from 1.2 +/- 0.13 to 3.3 +/- 0.40 mV (P less than 0.01), and application of amiloride (10(-4) M) after terbutaline reduced PD and Isc to less than initial base-line values. The Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransport inhibitors bumetanide (10(-4) M) and furosemide (10(-3) M) had no effect on PD and Isc either before or after terbutaline. Neither the Cl- channel blocker diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (10(-3) M) nor the Na(+)-glucose cotransport inhibitor phloridzin (10(-3) M) affected the bioelectric properties. Fetal type II alveolar epithelium in primary culture actively transport ions and, on the basis of inhibitor-agonist experiments, probably do not secrete Cl- but absorb Na+ through Na+ channels.


1987 ◽  
Vol 253 (4) ◽  
pp. F606-F612
Author(s):  
A. C. Nero ◽  
J. H. Schwartz ◽  
M. R. Furtado

Acidification in the toad bladder occurs as a result of electrogenic H+ secretion (JH). When a pH gradient is applied in a stepwise fashion in the absence of exogenous CO2, JH decreases linearly with the mucosal (M) solution pH and is null when pHm is approximately 4.5. When pHm is returned to initial values (7.4) in a stepwise fashion, JH increases linearly with pHm. However, on this return, higher values of JH are initially obtained. To investigate this hysteresis, hemibladders mounted in chambers were used to measure the change in the H+ current before and after acid pulses were applied to the mucosal solution. In the absence of exogenous CO2, the application of graded acid pulses to mucosa for 1, 2, 4, and 8 min resulted in a graded decrease in JH. The restoration of pHm to 7.4 was followed by an immediate transient overshoot of reversed short-circuit current (Irsc), which was related to the time of exposure and the magnitude of the acid pulse. The longer the acid pulse or the larger the pulse, the greater the Irsc overshoot. The addition of protonophores, dinitrophenol, or salicylate, into the mucosal solution enhanced this overshoot. Similar Irsc overshoots could be obtained with the application of pulses of adverse electrical gradients. Introduction of exogenous CO2 into the system (3%) completely inhibited the overshoot in JH after an acid pulse. In conclusion, when pHm is decreased JH is reduced and the cell pH presumably decreases because of continued exit of alkali at the serosal side of the cell and entry of H+ from the mucosal solution. The decrease in cell pH then triggers the pump to produce a sharp overshoot in JH when pHm returns to 7.4.


1980 ◽  
Vol 239 (2) ◽  
pp. F167-F174
Author(s):  
L. Cohen

The isolated turtle urinary bladder acidifies its mucosal (M) solution, and the rate of acidification (JH) is equivalent to the short-circuit current after Na+ transport is abolished by ouabain. When HCO3(-) is present in the serosal solution it is secreted into M in an electroneutral exchange for absorbed Cl-. The rate of HCO3(-) secretion (JHCO3(-)) can be measured by pH stat titration after JH is nullified by an opposing pH gradient. With use of these methods JH and JHCO3 were measured sequentially in bladdes from control animals and animals fed NaHCO3 (alkalosis) or NH4Cl (acidosis). JH in alkalosis (57 +/- 6 micro A) was ot different from control values (53 +/- 7 micro A). JHCO3, however, was nearly 40% higher in alkalosis (1.63 +/- 0.11 vs. 1.17 +/- 0.14 mu mol x h-1 x 8 cm-2). In contrast, JHCO3 in acidosis was similar to control values (0.89 +/- 0.15 mu mol x h-1 x 8 cm-2) but JH was increased. As judged from Cl- fluxes, neither alkalosis nor acidosis altered the electroneutral coupling between HCO3(-) secretion and Cl- absorption. JH and JHCO3 appear to be independent processes in the turtle bladder that are capable of responding independently to physiologic changes in the acid-base status of the intact animal.


1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (6) ◽  
pp. C1610-C1620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinpo Jiang ◽  
David H. Ingbar ◽  
Scott M. O’Grady

Alveolar epithelial cells were isolated from adult Sprague-Dawley rats and grown to confluence on membrane filters. Most of the basal short-circuit current ( I sc; 60%) was inhibited by amiloride (IC50 0.96 μM) or benzamil (IC50 0.5 μM). Basolateral addition of terbutaline (2 μM) produced a rapid decrease in I sc, followed by a slow recovery back to its initial amplitude. When Cl− was replaced with methanesulfonic acid, the basal I sc was reduced and the response to terbutaline was inhibited. In permeabilized monolayer experiments, both terbutaline and amiloride produced sustained decreases in current. The current-voltage relationship of the terbutaline-sensitive current had a reversal potential of −28 mV. Increasing Cl− concentration in the basolateral solution shifted the reversal potential to more depolarized voltages. These results were consistent with the existence of a terbutaline-activated Cl− conductance in the apical membrane. Terbutaline did not increase the amiloride-sensitive Na+ conductance. We conclude that β-adrenergic stimulation of adult alveolar epithelial cells results in an increase in apical Cl− permeability and that amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels are not directly affected by this stimulation.


1967 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 411-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rolf H. Dahl ◽  
James N. Pratley

Histochemical tests, employing the Wachstein-Meisel medium, indicate that nucleoside triphosphatase activity is found predominantly in two areas of the frog skin epidermis: (1) in mitochondria, where activity is enhanced by dinitrophenol, Mg2+ dependent, but inhibited by fixation; and (2) apparently associated with cell membranes of the middle and outer portions of the epidermis, where activity is inhibited by Mg2+, unaffected by dinitrophenol, and only slightly reduced by fixation. Spectrophotometric analysis shows that Mg2+ in the medium does not increase spontaneous hydrolysis of ATP, thus obviating the possible explanation that changes in substrate concentrations in the medium lead to alterations in the "staining" distributions. It is postulated that perhaps the two enzymes differ in their requirements for substrate—one requiring the polyphosphate to be in complexed form with Mg2+, the other uncomplexed. Concentrations of Mg2+ required to inhibit cell membrane nucleoside triphosphatase activity also inhibit the electrical potential difference and short-circuit current of the frog skin. Although these observations might be taken as presumptive evidence of the cell membrane enzyme as a component of the ion pump system, because of certain dissimilarities with respect to the biochemists' "transport ATPase" and for other reasons discussed in the paper, any definite conclusions in this regard are premature.


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