Evidence for active Na+ transport by cultured monolayers of pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells

Type I cell-like morphology in tight alveolar epithelial monolayers

The pulmonary alveolar epithelium separates air spaces from a fluid-filled interstitium and might be expected to exhibit high resistance to fluid and solute movement. Previous studies of alveolar epithelial barrier properties have been limited due to the complex anatomy of adult mammalian lung. In this study, we characterized a model of isolated alveolar epithelium with respect to barrier transport properties and cell morphology. Alveolar epithelial cells were isolated from rat lungs and grown as monolayers on tissue culture-treated Nuclepore filters. On Days 2-6 in primary culture, monolayers were analyzed for transepithelial resistance (Rt) and processed for electron microscopy. Mean cell surface area and arithmetic mean thickness (AMT) were determined using morphometric techniques. By Day 5, alveolar epithelial cells in vitro exhibited morphologic characteristics of type I alveolar pneumocytes, with thin cytoplasmic extensions and protruding nuclei. Morphometric data demonstrated that alveolar pneumocytes in vitro develop increased surface area and decreased cytoplasmic AMT similar to young type I cells in vivo. Concurrent with the appearance of type I cell-like morphology, monolayers exhibited high Rt (greater than 1000 omega.cm2), consistent with the development of tight barrier properties. These monolayers of isolated alveolar epithelial cells may reflect the physiological and morphological properties of the alveolar epithelium in vivo.

Cellular effects of beta-adrenergic and of cAMP stimulation on potassium transport in rat alveolar epithelium

Alveolar fluid absorption is greatly enhanced by cAMP and by beta-adrenergic agonists via an increase in Na+ transport. Little is known about K+ homeostasis under these circumstances. We studied K+ transport across alveolar epithelium in isolated perfused rat lungs stimulated either by dibutyryl-cAMP or isoproterenol. K+ fluxes and the apparent permeability of 86Rb across the epithelium (alveoli to plasma) were interpreted according to a model involving two types of cells, B and L, distinguished by the location of Na+-K+-ATPases (basal and luminal). Water is considered to be absorbed by B cells in a solute-coupled process energized by a basolateral Na+-K+-ATPase that is stimulated by isoproterenol and cAMP. K+ transport out of the alveoli is due to the activity of a Na+-K+-ATPase located in the apical membrane of L cells. In the present study net transport rate of K+ was -0.5 +/- 0.15 nmol/s, n = 20 (out of alveoli) in control conditions. When the epithelium was stimulated by dibutyryl-cAMP (10(-4) mol/l) net absorption of K+ reversed to net 'secretion' into alveoli (3.2 +/- 0.31 nmol/s), fluid absorption was not stimulated. K+ 'secretion' was abolished by apical Ba2+, indicating it was due to opening of apical K+ channels. Basolateral ouabain reversed net K+ 'secretion' to net absorption indicating that K+ entry into alveoli was dependent on activity of B cell basolateral Na+-K+-ATPase (masking simultaneous K+ removal by apical L cell Na+-K+-pump). When larger concentrations of dibutyryl-cAMP (10(-3) mol/l) or when isoproterenol were used to stimulate the epithelium there was a tripling of fluid absorption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Intraluminal calcium binding does not mediate fatty acid-induced pancreatic bicarbonate secretion

Since the chain length dependency of fatty acid-induced pancreatic exocrine secretion parallels that of fatty acid-induced inhibition of gastric emptying, similar mechanisms of action may be involved. An earlier study suggested that binding of calcium might mediate fatty acid-induced inhibition of gastric emptying. This study investigated possible mediation of fatty acid-induced pancreatic secretion by calcium binding. Pancreatic secretory response to intraduodenal administration of dodecanoate and various calcium chelators (sodium EDTA, calcium-saturated EDTA, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, and sodium taurocholate) was studied in three dogs equipped with chronic pancreatic fistulae. Calcium affinity of the various test solutions was quantitated by titrating aliquots of perfusate against a standard CaCl2 solution. Sodium EDTA was found to be the most potent calcium binder (pKc 8.3); sodium dodecanoate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate were moderate calcium binders (pKc 7.3, 7.2, 6.9, respectively), whereas sodium taurocholate and calcium-saturated EDTA were poor calcium binders. Sodium dodecanoate evoked brisk bicarbonate output (0.6-1.6 mEq/15 min). Minimal secretory responses were observed in response to all other agents tested. These findings suggest that calcium binding is not involved in mediation of fatty acid-induced pancreatic bicarbonate secretion.

Establishment and characterization of an epithelial cell line from the rat submandibular gland

An epithelial cell line, RSMTx, has been established from the submandibular gland of weanling Fisher 344 rats by treatment of explanted tissue clumps with 3-methylcholanthrene. These cells exhibit a polygonal shape on light microscopy and a polar appearance, with desmosomes, terminal bar-like structures, surface microvilli and cytoplasmic interdigitations, when examined by electron microscopy. The cells react positively with an antiserum to cytoskeletal keratin, and a commercial monoclonal antibody to an "epithelial membrane antigen." An antiserum, prepared against early passage cells in hamsters, reacts primarily with ductal elements in tissue sections of submandibular gland, as does an antiserum prepared in mice with late passage cells. The cells are easily passaged and have been maintained for more than two years in continuous culture.

Transport of sodium into apical membrane vesicles prepared from fetal sheep alveolar type II cells

A method is described for isolating apical plasma membrane vesicles from fetal alveolar type II cells. The procedure yields purified apical membranes which are enriched 24-fold with the brush-border enzyme marker, alkaline phosphatase. Contamination of this fraction by basolateral membranes and organelles is minimal. Evidence for transport of Na+ into an intravesicular space is demonstrated by: (1) time-dependent uptake of Na+ with release of accumulated Na+ by treatment with detergent; (2) a linear inverse correlation between Na+ uptake and medium osmolarity. In addition, Na+ uptake is shown to be anion dependent (SCN- greater than Cl- greater than gluconate-) and sensitive to amiloride inhibition at a concentration of 1 mM.

Fat and pancreatic secretion

In 10 healthy volunteers we investigated the effects of intraduodenal oleic acid at various concentrations (0-40 mM) and at various degrees of emulsification on pancreaticobiliary secretion and the release of secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK) into plasma. We found that the release of the two hormones was directly related to the dose of fat and to the degree of emulsification. The threshold of CCK release (and amylase output) was low in comparison with the threshold for secretin release (and bicarbonate or volume output). When the degree of emulsification of the fat was increased, no simple relation was observed between hormone levels and pancreatic exocrine secretion. The output of bile salts was identical at various fat concentrations. We conclude that both secretin and CCK are dose-dependently released by emulsions of oleic acid in normal man and that the thresholds for release are probably different.

Effect of trypsin on the hormonal regulation of the fat-stimulated human exocrine pancreas

To study the effects of trypsin on the pancreaticobiliary secretion and the release of secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK) to plasma, seven normal subjects were stimulated twice with duodenal perfusates containing 20 mM oleic acid (pH 6.0) with and without 1 g of bovine trypsin added per liter. In addition, six patients with advanced pancreatic insufficiency who received only the oleic acid were compared with eight normal subjects. The concentrations of secretin and CCK in plasma and the pancreatic enzyme and volume secretions were unaffected by the addition of trypsin, but the initial bile acid output and the bicarbonate secretion in the period after gallbladder emptying were reduced during perfusion with trypsin. The severely reduced enzyme secretion in chronic pancreatitis did not influence the basal or oleic acid-stimulated concentrations of the hormones in plasma. The study does not support the hypothesis of a trypsin-mediated negative feedback control of human pancreatic enzyme secretion. Furthermore, the reduced duodenal output of bicarbonate found in response to trypsin is not explained by changes in the release of secretin or CCK.

A comparison of solutions for lung preservation using pulmonary alveolar type II cell viability

Many special solutions have been developed to protect the ischemic lung in preparation for transplantation. To determine an effective solution, we isolated pulmonary alveolar type II cells from rat lungs. These cells play an important role in sodium transport and the production of surfactant; thus, they are crucial to the respiratory physiology of the lung. In this study, we examined in vitro the effect of various solutions such as Collins' solution, Collins-Sacks solution, and glucose-insulin-potassium solution on alveolar type II cell viability. The cell viability was examined with a trypan blue dye exclusion test and [3H]thymidine uptake proliferation assay after 24 and 72 hours of incubation. The alveolar type II cells in the glucose-insulin-potassium solution had greater viability compared with cells cultured in either Collins' or Collins-Sacks solution. This study demonstrates that glucose-insulin-potassium solution has the least toxic effect on isolated alveolar type II cells compared with other preserving solutions.

Potassium transport across rat alveolar epithelium: evidence for an apical Na+-K+ pump

1. Experiments were performed on rat lungs into which various solutions were instilled whilst the lungs were perfused with either whole blood or Ringer solution. Instillation of ion-free glucose solution led to a net flux of fluid and ions into the alveolar spaces. K+ ions entered faster than Na+ ions and reached a concentration about twice that in the perfusate. Ouabain in the perfusate (basolateral side) prevented the rise in alveolar K+ concentration above that in the perfusate, indicating a transcellular pathway. Ba2+ in the instillate (apical side) hindered the entry of K+ into alveoli, suggesting the presence of apical K+ channels. 2. When Ringer solution was instilled, K+ was continuously removed from the alveoli and the K+ concentration in the instillate remained constant or decreased slightly depending on the rate of fluid absorption. The net K+ efflux from alveoli to blood was 0.23 pmol/(cm2 s). When Ba2+ was added to the instillate the net K+ efflux increased to 0.36 pmol/(cm2 s). Apical ouabain reversed the K+ flux resulting in a net K+ flux of 0.19 pmol/(cm2 s) into the alveoli. This suggests the presence of an Na+-K+-ATPase located in the apical membrane of some alveolar cells. 3. The K+ transport from instillate (Ringer solution) to perfusate was traced by means of 86Rb which was added to the instillate. Ouabain in the instillate did not affect fluid absorption but reduced the apparent 86Rb permeability by 50% although the paracellular permeability (estimated with [3H]mannitol) was unaffected. This also indicates the presence of an apical Na+-K+-ATPase. When ouabain was added to the perfusate, the apparent 86Rb permeability doubled. These findings indicate that recirculation of 86Rb (and K+) occurs due to the activity of both apical and basolateral Na+-K+-ATPases. 4. When ouabain was placed on both sides of the epithelium, preventing transcellular transport, the passive 86Rb permeability was 10.3 x 10(-8) cm/s (assuming an alveolar surface area of 5000 cm2). This value agrees with the passive permeabilities for mannitol, Na+ and Cl- suggesting that the paracellular pathway acts as a water-filled neutral channel. 5. We conclude that K+ is 'secreted' into the alveoli and is also removed from the alveoli, both processes being energized by Na+-K+-ATPases placed on the basolateral and apical sides, respectively. It is likely that two functionally different cell types exist in the alveolar membrane. One type ('B cell') has a Na+-K+-ATPase located at the basolateral membrane and K+ channels situated luminally.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The alveolar type II epithelial cell: a multifunctional pneumocyte

The epithelial surface of the alveoli is composed of alveolar type I and type II cells. Alveolar type I cells comprise 96% of the alveolar surface area. These cells are extremely thin, thus, minimizing diffusion distance between the alveolar air space and pulmonary capillary blood. Type II cells are spherical pneumocytes which comprise only 4% of the alveolar surface area, yet they constitute 60% of alveolar epithelial cells and 10-15% of all lung cells. Four major functions have been attributed to alveolar type II cells: (1) synthesis and secretion of surfactant; (2) xenobiotic metabolism; (3) transepithelial movement of water; and (4) regeneration of the alveolar epithelium following lung injury. Therefore, alveolar type II cells play important roles in normal pulmonary function and in the response of the lung to toxic compounds which may cause lung damage. Techniques have now been developed to isolate and purify alveolar type II epithelial cells from lung tissue. Such cellular preparations afford bioassay systems to monitor the effects of occupational or environmental pollutants on alveolar pneumocytes and should yield important information concerning the etiology of pulmonary disease in the alveolar region of the lung.

Plasma secretin, plasma cholecystokinin, pancreaticobiliary secretion, and fat absorption: effect of duodenal osmolality and polysorbate 80

In 20 normal persons we investigated the effects of duodenal osmolality on the release of secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK), pancreaticobiliary secretion, and fat absorption after intestinal infusion of emulsified oleic acid (pH 6.0). The release of CCK was found to be unaffected by the changes in osmolality, whereas the plasma levels of secretin were affected in parallel with volume and bicarbonate secretion. An inverse relation was found between fatty acid absorption and release of secretin and bicarbonate secretion but not between fatty acid absorption and release of CCK. It is suggested that the secretin and CCK cells respond differently to emulsified oleic acid.

cAMP and beta-adrenergic stimulation of rat alveolar epithelium. Effects on fluid absorption and paracellular permeability

The absorption of fluid (bicarbonate-buffered Ringer with 10 mmol/l glucose) instilled into rat lungs is a Na+-coupled process that takes place through two apical transport systems: an amiloride-sensitive Na+ transport and a Na+-glucose co-transport. Fluid absorption in isolated, perfused rat lungs and the permeability to 3H-mannitol of alveolar epithelium were studied in control conditions and during stimulation of the alveolar epithelium by cAMP or isoproterenol. cAMP led to a threefold increase in the rate of fluid absorption and to an increase in the paracellular permeability. A similar response was found following beta-adrenergic stimulation obtained with isoproterenol in the perfusate. The increase in fluid transport was due to enhancement of the amiloride-sensitive component of Na+ transport. The Na+-glucose co-transport which accounts for about 60% of fluid absorption in control conditions was depressed, possibly as a consequence of a depolarization of the apical alveolar cell membrane. Fluid absorption was reduced by 40% by apical amiloride (10(-4) mol/l) in control lungs and to an even larger extent in isoproterenol-stimulated lungs; it was completely abolished by amiloride in cAMP stimulated lungs. Since the Na+-glucose co-transport was still operative, this suggests that a secretory process was triggered. This was confirmed in experiments in which both kinds of transport were inhibited with a combination of amiloride and glucose-free Ringer. In these conditions fluid balance was zero in unstimulated lungs whilst fluid entry into alveoli was observed in isoproterenol and cAMP stimulated lungs.

Role of secretin and CCK in the stimulation of pancreatic secretion in conscious dogs. Effects of atropine and somatostatin

The role of gut hormones, such as secretin and CCK, in the stimulation of pancreatic secretion by duodenal HCl or oleate and by meat feeding has been studied in conscious dogs before and after pretreatment with atropine and somatostatin. Plasma hormones were measured by specific and sensitive radioimmunoassays. Duodenal perfusion with HCl and oleate stimulated dose-dependently pancreatic HCO3 and protein secretion and raised plasma levels of secretin and CCK, respectively. Atropine reduced significantly both HCO3 and protein secretion but did not affect plasma secretin and CCK levels in these studies. Both exocrine pancreatic secretion and plasma secretin and CCK levels were suppressed by somatostatin. Meat feeding caused a marked pancreatic HCO3 and protein secretion accompanied by a significant increase in plasma secretin and CCK which seem to play an important role in the postprandial pancreatic stimulation. Both atropine and somatostatin reduced the pancreatic secretion induced by exogenous hormones but only somatostatin, but not atropine, significantly decreased plasma secretin and CCK responses to intestinal stimulants. We conclude that both atropine and somatostatin reduce the pancreatic responses to duodenal HCl or oleate or to meat feeding but only somatostatin is capable of suppressing the release of secretin and CCK.

Characterization of [3H]Ro5-4864 binding to "peripheral" benzodiazepine receptors in guinea pig alveolar type II cells

The binding of [3H]Ro5-4864 to peripheral benzodiazepine receptors has been demonstrated in a highly purified preparation of alveolar type II cells. [3H]Ro5-4864 binding to guinea pig alveolar type II cells indicated one population of binding sites with high affinity (KD = 5.7 nM) and saturability (Bmax = 4582 fmol/mg membrane protein).

Fluid reabsorption and glucose consumption in edematous rat lungs

Solute and water uptake were studied in isolated perfused rat lungs with airspaces filled with the perfusion fluid. The albumin in this solution was labelled with Evans blue (T-1824), and uptake of fluid from the airspaces was documented by an increase in T-1824 concentration in airway fluid of 6.5 +/- 1.6% (n = 5, SEM) at 1 hour and 12.2 +/- 0.9% (n = 10) at 2 hours. The only detectable osmotic force that could have contributed to a loss of fluid from the alveolar fluid was a decrease in airspace glucose concentrations, which fell much more rapidly (from 150 mg/dl to 58.7 +/- 7.1 mg/dl, n = 10, after 2 hours) than plasma glucose (from 150 mg/dl to 128.9 +/- 3.7 mg/dl). Addition of 5 X 10(-5) M terbutaline to the perfusate and airspace solutions nearly doubled fluid reabsorption at 1 hour, an effect that was inhibited by propranolol and did not appear to be related to glucose consumption. Exposure to terbutaline for 2 hours increased epithelial permeability to 3H-mannitol and 22Na+. These observations suggest that active sodium transport and epithelial metabolism or transport of glucose in airway fluid may each play a role in the reabsorption of edema fluid.

Fluid absorption by rat lung in situ: pathways for sodium entry in the luminal membrane of alveolar epithelium

1. The purpose of the investigation was to characterize the luminal membrane and the paracellular pathway of rat lung alveolar epithelium. Experiments were performed on lungs in situ instilled with isotonic, buffered Ringer solution and perfused with blood from a donor rat using cross-circulation technique. 2. The rate of active Na+ transport was 4.4 pmol/(cm2s). The fluid absorption was 156 nl/s, and was unaffected by the presence of protein in the instillate (166 nl/s). In the absence of Na+, fluid absorption was zero. Amiloride (10(-3) M) reduced fluid absorption by 60%. Amiloride, combined with absence of D-glucose, arrested fluid absorption completely. Phloridzin at the luminal side reduced fluid absorption whilst phloretin had no effect. Amiloride together with phloridzin (10(-3) M) also arrested absorption. Thus, there are two entry systems for Na+ in the luminal membrane: Na+ channels and a Na+-D-glucose symport. These results show that alveolar fluid absorption is due to cellular activity. 3. Substitution of Cl- with gluconate not only stopped fluid absorption, but led to slight reversal of net fluid movement. 4. Passive unidirectional flux of Na+, determined with 22Na+, was 9.9 pmol/(cm2s) and that of Cl-, determined with 36Cl-, was 12.4 pmol/(cm2s). These fluxes were based on an assumed alveolar surface area of 5000 cm2. Transference numbers calculated from these figures are close to those in free solution, suggesting a neutral or weakly charged intercellular junctional pathway. The D-mannitol permeability in the paracellular pathway was 1.7 X 10(-8) cm/s. 5. It is a consequence of the proposed mechanism for fluid absorption that it becomes inoperative if the normally high reflexion coefficients for Na+ and Cl- are lowered in pathological states. In such conditions pulmonary oedema may develop depending on the net balance of passive mechanical and colloid-osmotic forces. 6. An explanation of the reversal of fluid transport at the time of birth is presented.

Significance of active ion transport in transalveolar water absorption: a study on isolated rat lung

1. Experiments were performed on isolated rat lungs perfused with Ringer solutions containing red cells. The goal was to clarify the role of active transport of Na+ for the absorption of fluid across the alveolar membrane, and to characterize active and passive pathways. 2. Partially degassed lungs were filled with 5 ml of an isotonic Ringer solution containing 125I-labelled albumin in order to calculate the fluid movement, and 22Na+ or 36Cl- for measurement of ion fluxes. Passive non-electrolyte permeability was determined in all experiments using [3H]mannitol. 3. The average rate of fluid absorption in phosphate-buffered instillates was 134 nl/s (S.E., 18.5; n = 14). With ouabain (10(-4) M) in the perfusate the fluid absorption rate fell to 57 nl/s (S.E., 8.2; n = 18). Amiloride (10(-3)-10(-4) M) in the instillate reduced the absorption to 75 nl/s (S.E., 8.6; n = 16). These results show that fluid absorption depends on transcellular transport of Na+ and that alveolar epithelial cells have a Na+ entry system in the luminal membrane and a Na+-K+ pump in the abluminal membrane. 4. The transcellular ion transport operates in parallel with a paracellular, passive leak that allows mannitol to pass with a permeability surface area product of 1.2 X 10(-4) ml/s, corresponding to a permeability coefficient of 2.4 X 10(-8) cm/s, assuming an alveolar surface area of 5000 cm2. 5. The passive fluxes of Na+ were 9.4 pmol/(cm2s) (S.E., 1.3; n = 25) in the direction from alveoli to perfusate and 8.0 pmol/(cm2s) (S.E., 0.86; n = 6) from perfusate to plasma. The passive fluxes of Cl- in the two directions were not significantly different either. Thus the transalveolar electrical potential difference is too small to affect ion movements measurably. 6. The passive permeability to Na+ was 6.7 X 10(-8) cm/s and to Cl- was 10.2 X 10(-8) cm/s (alveolar surface area assumed to be 5000 cm2). The ratio of the permeabilities is close to the ratio of the diffusion coefficients in free solution, suggesting a neutral or weakly charged paracellular channel. 7. We conclude that the alveolar epithelium performs solute-coupled fluid transport from alveoli to plasma, and that it shows many features that are common to other fluid-transporting epithelia; with an approximate surface area of 100 m2 in humans it constitutes one of the largest epithelial surfaces in the body.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Beta-adrenergic agonists increase lung liquid clearance in anesthetized sheep

We did experiments to determine whether beta-adrenergic agonists increase lung liquid clearance in anesthetized ventilated adult sheep and, if so, whether the increase is mediated by beta receptors and what mechanism is involved. We instilled 100 ml of autologous serum either alone or with a beta-adrenergic agonist (terbutaline, 10(-5) M, or epinephrine, 5.5 X 10(-6) M) into one lower lobe. After 4 h both terbutaline and epinephrine increased lung liquid clearance. The increase in lung liquid clearance was inhibited when propranolol (a beta blocker) or amiloride (a sodium channel blocker) was added to the terbutaline. Increased clearance was not explained by changes in pulmonary hemodynamics, pulmonary blood flow, or lung lymph flow. We conclude that beta-adrenergic agonists increase lung liquid clearance in anesthetized intact adult sheep. This increase is mediated through beta receptors and probably depends on increased active transport of sodium across the alveolar barrier.

Pancreatic secretory response to intestinal stimulants: a review

In humans and many laboratory animals, protein digestion products such as peptides and amino acids and fat digestion products such as fatty acids and monoglycerides are potent intestinal stimulants of pancreatic enzyme secretion. The pancreatic enzyme response to these intestinal stimulants is related to the perfused load (amount per unit time) rather than to concentration. Both neural and hormonal pathways mediate the enzyme response to these intestinal stimulants. Enteropancreatic, cholinergic, vago-vagal reflexes are probably the most important mediators of the enzyme response to low loads of amino acids and fatty acids; hormones, such as cholecystokinin, seem to be the major mediators of the response to high loads of amino acids and fatty acids. Under physiological conditions it is probably the interplay of neural and hormonal mechanisms which regulates the pancreatic response to these stimulants. Gastric acid is the major regulator of postprandial pancreatic bicarbonate secretion. Secretion released by HCl is probably the most important physiological hormonal mediator of postprandial pancreatic bicarbonate secretion; its effect being potentiated by extrinsic (vagal) and intrinsic (intrapancreatic) cholinergic nerves and release of other hormones, such as cholecystokinin.

Voltage sensitive, high-conductance chloride channels in the luminal membrane of cultured pulmonary alveolar (type II) cells

The properties of ion channels in patches from the luminal membrane of cultured monolayers of type II alveolar epithelial cells from adult rat lung have been studied. In excised patches, prepared as described to yield the "outside-out" configuration (with cesium ions in the bathing solutions to suppress currents arising from potassium channels), we observed anion-selective channels with a conductance of 350-400 pS, and burst lengths lasting seconds. When patches were bathed in solutions with equal chloride concentrations, channels opened and closed spontaneously at membrane voltages close to zero, but tended to close when the potential was shifted by +/- 10 mV, particularly in the negative direction. Other anions could pass through these channels with a permeability sequence of I(1.5) greater than Br(1.02) = greater than Cl(1.00) greater than NO3(0.9) greater than gluconate(0.6) but there was a very low permeability for sodium (PNa/PCl = 0.015 +/- 0.006). Calcium ions reduced channel conductance. The channels probably have a role to play in salt absorption by this epithelium, but insufficient information is available about how sodium crosses it for the role of the anion channels in transport to be defined with confidence.

A rapid method for culturing guinea pig gastric mucous cell monolayers

A method has been developed for growing confluent primary cultured monolayers of guinea pig gastric mucous cells suitable for in vitro electrophysiological, transport, and pharmacological studies. Isolated mucous cells were enriched on a one-step Percoll density gradient and plated on fibronectin-coated plastic dishes or in small cups with holes containing glutaraldehyde-fixed Vitrogen gels. These cups were designed to fit in Ussing chambers. Mucous cells attached, proliferated, and formed confluent monolayers in 3 d. The low cuboidal cells contained periodic acid Schiff-positive mucous granules that were negative by Bowie and indirect immunofluorescent staining for pepsinogen. Electron microscopy revealed polarized mucous cells with microvilli, mucous granules, microfilaments, small mitochondria, some vacuoles, and junctional complexes that excluded wheat germ agglutinin-peroxidase. No basal lamina was present. Monolayers could be maintained for over 2 wk but subcultures were not made. The cultures were virtually free of fibroblasts. Epithelial sheets produced by this simple and rapid method can be used for electrophysiological, ion transport, and pharmacological studies.

Electrical currents flow out of domes formed by cultured epithelial cells

Domes are localized areas of fluid accumulation between a cultured epithelial cell monolayer and the impermeable substratum on which the cells are cultured in vitro. Dome formation has been documented in a variety of epithelial cell lines that retain their transepithelial transport properties in vitro. However, it is not known whether domes are predominantly areas of specific active transport, or, alternatively, are predominantly areas of relative weak attachment to the culture surface. In the present study we adapted a vibrating microelectrode, which can detect small currents flowing in extracellular fluid, to determine if current was flowing into or out of domes and thereby to determine if domes were specialized areas of active transport. We used alveolar type II cells as the main epithelial cell type because they readily form domes in vitro and because they transport sodium from the apical to the basal surface. We found that electrical current flowed out of domes. The direction of the current was independent of the size of a dome, of the age of an individual dome, and of the number of days in primary culture for alveolar epithelial cells. This current was inhibited by amiloride and ouabain and was dependent on sodium in the medium. We made similar observations (outward current from domes which is blocked by amiloride and by sodium substitution) with domes formed by the Madin-Darby canine kidney cell line. The data support the hypothesis that sodium is transported across the entire monolayer and leaks back mainly through the domes. We conclude that domes in epithelial monolayers are not predominantly special sites of active transport but are more likely simply areas of weak attachment to the substratum.