Sodium-amino acid cotransport by type II alveolar epithelial cells

Type II alveolar epithelial cell monolayers have been shown to actively transport sodium (Na+). Coupling to amino acid uptake could be an important mechanism for Na+ entry into these cells. This study demonstrates the presence of such a coupled cotransport mechanism in the plasma membrane of isolated type II cells by use of the nonmetabolizable amino acid analogue alpha-methylaminoisobutyric acid (MeAIB). Transport of MeAIB in 137 mM Na+ is saturable, with the uptake constant (Vmax) equaling 13.9 pmol X mg prot-1 X s-1 and the Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) equaling 0.13 mM. In the presence of Na+, MeAIB is accumulated against a concentration gradient. MeAIB uptake in the absence of Na+ is linear with MeAIB concentration, as expected for simple diffusion. The Hill coefficient for Na+-MeAIB cotransport is 1.11, suggesting a 1:1 stoichiometry. Proline inhibits Na+-MeAIB cotransport, with Ki equaling 0.5 mM. These findings suggest that Na+-amino acid cotransport may be an important pathway for Na+ (and/or amino acid) uptake into type II alveolar epithelial cells.

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Senescence associated long non-coding RNA 1 regulates cigarette smoke-induced senescence of type II alveolar epithelial cells through sirtuin-1 signaling

Journal of International Medical Research ◽

10.1177/0300060520986049 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 030006052098604

Author(s):

Dong Yuan ◽

Yuanshun Liu ◽

Mengyu Li ◽

Hongbin Zhou ◽

Liming Cao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Cigarette Smoke ◽

Alveolar Epithelial Cell ◽

Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽

Lung Epithelial Cells ◽

Sirtuin 1 ◽

Type Ii ◽

Alveolar Epithelial ◽

Non Coding Rna ◽

Long Non Coding Rna

Objective The primary aim of our study was to explore the mechanisms through which long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-mediated sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) signaling regulates type II alveolar epithelial cell (AECII) senescence induced by a cigarette smoke-media suspension (CSM). Methods Pharmacological SIRT1 activation was induced using SRT2104 and senescence-associated lncRNA 1 (SAL-RNA1) was overexpressed. The expression of SIRT1, FOXO3a, p53, p21, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 in different groups was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting; the activity of SA-β gal was detected by staining; the binding of SIRT1 to FOXO3a and p53 gene transcription promoters was detected by Chip. Results We found that CSM increased AECII senescence, while SAL-RNA1 overexpression and SIRT1 activation significantly decreased levels of AECII senescence induced by CSM. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we found that SIRT1 bound differentially to transcriptional complexes on the FOXO3a and p53 promoters. Conclusion Our results suggested that lncRNA-SAL1-mediated SIRT1 signaling reduces senescence of AECIIs induced by CSM. These findings suggest a new therapeutic target to limit the irreversible apoptosis of lung epithelial cells in COPD patients.

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Injury of rat pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells by H2O2: dependence on phenotype and catalase

AJP Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajplung.1991.260.4.l318 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 260 (4) ◽

pp. L318-L325 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

R. H. Simon ◽

J. A. Edwards ◽

M. M. Reza ◽

R. G. Kunkel

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Catalase Activity ◽

Lung Diseases ◽

Alveolar Epithelial Cell ◽

Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽

Type I ◽

Type Ii Cells ◽

Type Ii ◽

Alveolar Epithelial

In a variety of inflammatory lung diseases, type I alveolar epithelial cells are more likely to be injured than are type II cells. Because oxidants have been implicated as a cause of injury in various inflammatory lung diseases, we evaluated the effects of differentiation on alveolar epithelial cell susceptibility to H2O2-induced injury. With the use of isolated rat type II cells in culture, we found that the cytotoxic effect of H2O2 increased between days 2 and 7, when type II cells are known to lose their distinctive type II properties and assume a more type I-like appearance. We previously reported that type II cells utilized both intracellular catalase and glutathione-dependent reactions to protect against H2O2. We therefore examined whether alterations in either of these protective mechanisms were responsible for the differentiation-dependent changes in sensitivity to H2O2. We found that catalase activity within alveolar epithelial cells decreased between 2 and 7 days in culture, whereas no changes were detected in glutathione-dependent systems. We then used a histochemical technique that detects catalase activity and found that type II cells within rat lungs possessed numerous catalase-containing peroxisomes, whereas very few were detected in type I cells. These findings demonstrate that as type II cells assume a type I-like phenotype, they become more susceptible to H2O2-induced injury. This increased susceptibility is associated with reductions in intracellular catalase activity, both in vitro and in vivo.

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Effect of cigarette smoke and its condensates on alveolar epithelial cell injury in vitro

AJP Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajplung.1994.266.1.l92 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 266 (1) ◽

pp. L92-L100 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

S. Lannan ◽

K. Donaldson ◽

D. Brown ◽

W. MacNee

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cell ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Cigarette Smoke ◽

Cell Injury ◽

Cell Attachment ◽

Alveolar Epithelial Cell ◽

Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽

Type Ii ◽

Alveolar Epithelial

The oxidant-antioxidant balance in the airspaces of the lungs may be critical in protecting the lungs from the effects of cigarette smoke. We studied the effect of cigarette smoke and its condensates on the detachment, attachment, and proliferation of the A549 human alveolar epithelial cell line, in an in vitro model of cell injury and regeneration and the protective effects of antioxidants. Whole and vapor phase cigarette smoke decreased 51Cr-labeled A549 cell attachment, increased cell detachment, and decreased cell proliferation, as assessed by [3H]thymidine uptake. Freshly isolated rat type II alveolar epithelial cells showed an enhanced susceptibility to smoke-induced cell lysis when compared with the A549 cell line. Reduced glutathione (GSH) (400 microM) protected against the effects of cigarette smoke exposure on cell attachment, proliferation, and detachment. Depletion of intracellular GSH with buthionine sulfoxamine enhanced the epithelial cell detachment injury produced by smoke condensates. We conclude that cigarette smoke and its condensates cause an oxidant-induced injury to A549 human type II alveolar epithelial cells. Both intra- and extracellular GSH have important roles in protecting epithelial cells from the injurious effects of cigarette smoke.

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Characterization of Na+-H+ antiport in type II alveolar epithelial cells

AJP Cell Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpcell.1987.252.5.c490 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 252 (5) ◽

pp. C490-C498 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

E. P. Nord ◽

S. E. Brown ◽

E. D. Crandall

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Intracellular Ph ◽

Cell Types ◽

Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽

Hill Coefficient ◽

Type Ii ◽

Transport Pathway ◽

Cytosolic Ph ◽

Alveolar Epithelial ◽

Major Mechanism

The presence of a Na+-H+ exchange pathway in the plasma membrane of type II alveolar epithelial cells was explored using the pH-sensitive fluorescent probe 2,7-biscarboxyethyl-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) to monitor changes in cytosolic pH. Freshly prepared pneumocytes suspended in medium at pH 7.4 had an intracellular pH of 7.07 +/- 0.07. Acid-loaded cells equilibrated in sodium-free buffer showed rapid cytoplasmic alkalinization when exposed to sodium. This response to sodium was inhibited greater than 90% by 10(-4) M amiloride. The presence of the K+ ionophore, valinomycin, had no effect on the rate of Na+-dependent alkalinization, indicating the electroneutrality of the system. Li+ partially supported the alkalinization process, but other monovalent cations, notably K+, Rb+, and Cs+, were without effect. Kinetic analysis for Na+ at the external binding site yielded KNat (dissociation constant) = 62 +/- 3 mM. Hill equation analysis of the data derived a Hill coefficient (n) = 1.2 +/- 0.1 for Na+, consistent with a 1:1 stoichiometry for Na+ and H+ for the transporter. The Ki for amiloride inhibition of proton efflux at the external locus was 0.45 microM. These findings define the transport pathway as Na+-H+ antiport, with kinetic parameters somewhat similar to those described for other cell types. Antiport activity was detected at intracellular pH (pHi) values of 6.8 or below, with no activity observed at pHi 7.0-7.2. It is suggested that Na+-H+ exchange is a major mechanism whereby pneumocytes recover from an acid load and that this transport pathway may play an important role in vectorial reabsorption of Na+ from the alveolar air spaces.

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Association of ICAM-1 with the cytoskeleton in rat alveolar epithelial cells in primary culture

AJP Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajplung.1996.271.5.l707 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 271 (5) ◽

pp. L707-L718 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

W. W. Barton ◽

S. E. Wilcoxen ◽

P. J. Christensen ◽

R. Paine

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

Epithelial Cell ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Alveolar Epithelial Cell ◽

Inflammatory Cells ◽

Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽

Type I ◽

Type Ii Cells ◽

Type Ii ◽

Alveolar Epithelial

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ICAM-1) is a transmembrane adhesion protein that is expressed constitutively on the apical surface of type I cells in vivo and on type II cells in vitro as they spread in culture, assuming type I cell-like characteristics. To investigate the possible interaction of ICAM-1 with the alveolar epithelial cell cytoskeleton, rat type II cells in primary culture were extracted with nonionic detergent, and residual ICAM-1 associated with the cytoskeletal remnants was determined using immunofluorescence microscopy, immunoprecipitation, and cell-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A large fraction of alveolar epithelial cell ICAM-1 remained associated with the cytoskeleton after detergent extraction, whereas two other transmembrane molecules, transferrin receptor and class II major histocompatibility complex, were completely removed. ICAM-1 was redistributed on the cell surface after the disruption of actin filaments with cytochalasin B, suggesting interaction with the actin cytoskeleton. In contrast, ICAM-1 was completely detergent soluble in rat pulmonary artery endothelial cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and rat alveolar macrophages. The association of ICAM-1 with the alveolar epithelial cell cytoskeleton was not altered after stimulation with inflammatory cytokines. However, detergent resistant ICAM-1 was significantly increased after crosslinking of ICAM-1 on the cell surface, suggesting that this cytoskeletal association may be modulated by interactions of alveolar epithelial cells with inflammatory cells. The association of ICAM-1 with the cytoskeleton in alveolar epithelial cells may provide a fixed intermediary between mobile inflammatory cells and the alveolar surface.

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Regulation of type II alveolar epithelial cell proliferation by TGF-beta during bleomycin-induced lung injury in rats

AJP Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajplung.1994.267.5.l498 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 267 (5) ◽

pp. L498-L507 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

N. Khalil ◽

R. N. O'Connor ◽

K. C. Flanders ◽

W. Shing ◽

C. I. Whitman

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Epithelial Cell ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Lung Injury ◽

Alveolar Epithelial Cell ◽

Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽

Type Ii ◽

Epithelial Cell Proliferation ◽

Tgf Beta ◽

Alveolar Epithelial

Three isoforms of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) are found in mammalian cells and are potent regulators of inflammation, connective tissue synthesis, cellular proliferation, and differentiation. To determine the distribution and regulation of TGF-beta isoforms during pulmonary injury, a rat model of bleomycin-induced lung inflammation and repair was used. Using immunohistochemistry, we demonstrate that TGF-beta 2 and TGF-beta 3 were localized to alveolar macrophages as well as epithelial and smooth muscle cells of both normal rat lungs and rat lungs obtained at all time intervals after bleomycin administration. Early in bleomycin-induced lung injury, when there is active proliferation of type II alveolar epithelial cells, there was an increase in the number of type II alveolar epithelial cells isolated per lung and an increase in DNA synthesis by explanted type II alveolar epithelial cells. At this time, the secretion of biologically active TGF-beta 1–3, which are potent inhibitors of epithelial cell proliferation, was decreased. However, the secretion of TGF-beta 1–3 activity was markedly increased later in the injury response and coincided with a reduction in the number of type II alveolar epithelial cells isolated per lung and DNA synthesis in vitro. Furthermore, the addition of TGF-beta 1, 2, and 3 to cultures of actively proliferating type II alveolar epithelial cells resulted in inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation, whereas, in the presence of anti-TGF-beta 1-3 antibody, there was an increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation. Our findings suggest that altered secretion of TGF-beta 1-3 activity by type II alveolar epithelial cells during bleomycin-induced lung injury may regulate pulmonary alveolar epithelial cell proliferation during injury and repair phases.

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STAT3 Promotes Apoptosis of Alveolar Epithelial Cells by Inhibiting AKT Signaling

Tobacco Regulatory Science ◽

10.18001/trs.7.4.1.28 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 741-748

Author(s):

Jianhua Liu ◽

Liqing Zheng ◽

Liang Cao ◽

Changhong Zhang ◽

Chen Li

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cell ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Alveolar Epithelial Cell ◽

Akt Signaling ◽

Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽

Type Ii ◽

Akt Signaling Pathway ◽

Alveolar Epithelial ◽

Epithelial Cell Apoptosis

Type II alveolar epithelial cells are a crucial component of alveolar epithelium, and transcriptional activator 3 (STAT3) have functions in regulating alveolar epithelial cell proliferation. Therefore, based on the modular approach, we analyzed the effects of silencing STAT3 on type II alveolar epithelial cells and studied its mechanism of action. Initially, in the GEO database, we downloaded data on type II alveolar epithelial cells. For transcript to me data in alveolar epithelial cell samples, we performed a differential analysis. Secondly, protein interaction network analysis (PPIs) were performed on the differential genes, and the PPIs were analyzed modularly. The module gene was subjected to enrichment analysis of GO function and KEGG pathway. Non-coding RNAs and transcription factors that regulate the module are predicted based on hyper geometric testing. Thus, we have a total of 13 dysfunction modules. These modular genes are significantly involved in biological processes such as nuclear membranes, embryonic organ development, and regulate the insulin signaling pathway and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway substantially. We identified vital ncRNA pivots (miR-205-5p) and TF pivot (Eomes, Etsl, Nfkbl, Spi1, Statl, Usfl) to regulate dysfunction modules significantly. Our work deciphered a co-expression network that involved essential gene regulation of type II alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis. It helps to reveal the regulation of silencing STAT3 gene on alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis and deepen our understanding of the mechanism. More importantly, we explained that the silencing gene STAT3 inhibits the apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells by activating the AKT signaling pathway, providing a new theoretical reference for the study of alveolar epithelial cells.

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