Tetracyclines reduce Na+/K+ pump capacity in Calu-3 human airway cells

Mechanisms of bicarbonate secretion: lessons from the airways

Early studies showed that airway cells secrete HCO(3)(-) in response to cAMP-mediated agonists and HCO(3)(-) secretion was impaired in cystic fibrosis (CF). Studies with Calu-3 cells, an airway serous model with high expression of CFTR, also show the secretion of HCO(3)(-) when cells are stimulated with cAMP-mediated agonists. Activation of basolateral membrane hIK-1 K(+) channels inhibits HCO(3)(-) secretion and stimulates Cl(-) secretion. CFTR mediates the exit of both HCO(3)(-) and Cl(-) across the apical membrane. Entry of HCO(3)(-) on a basolateral membrane NBC or Cl(-) on the NKCC determines which anion is secreted. Switching between these two secreted anions is determined by the activity of hIK-1 K(+) channels.

Acute ENaC stimulation by cAMP in a kidney cell line is mediated by exocytic insertion from a recycling channel pool

Acute hormonal regulation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in tight epithelia increases transcellular Na⁺ transport via trafficking of intracellular channels to the apical surface. The fate of the channels removed from the apical surface following agonist washout is less clear. By repetitively stimulating polarized mouse cortical collecting duct (mCCD, _MPKCCD₁₄) epithelia, we evaluated the hypothesis that ENaC recycles through an intracellular pool to be available for reinsertion into the apical membrane. Short circuit current (I_SC), membrane capacitance (C_T), and conductance (G_T) were recorded from mCCD epithelia mounted in modified Ussing chambers. Surface biotinylation of ENaC demonstrated an increase in channel number in the apical membrane following cAMP stimulation. This increase was accompanied by a 83 ± 6% (n = 31) increase in I_SC and a 15.3 ± 1.5% (n = 15) increase in C_T. Selective membrane permeabilization demonstrated that the C_T increase was due to an increase in apical membrane capacitance. I_SC and C_T declined to basal levels on stimulus washout. Repetitive cAMP stimulation and washout (∼1 h each cycle) resulted in response fatigue; ΔI_SC decreased ∼10% per stimulation–recovery cycle. When channel production was blocked by cycloheximide, ΔI_SC decreased ∼15% per stimulation cycle, indicating that newly synthesized ENaC contributed a relatively small fraction of the channels mobilized to the apical membrane. Selective block of surface ENaC by benzamil demonstrated that channels inserted from a subapical pool made up >90% of the stimulated I_SC, and that on restimulation a large proportion of channels retrieved from the apical surface were reinserted into the apical membrane. Channel recycling was disrupted by brefeldin A, which inhibited ENaC exocytosis, by chloroquine, which inhibited ENaC endocytosis and recycling, and by latrunculin A, which blocked ENaC exocytosis. A compartment model featuring channel populations in the apical membrane and intracellular recycling pool provided an adequate kinetic description of the I_SC responses to repetitive stimulation. The model supports the concept of ENaC recycling in response to repetitive cAMP stimulation.

A “virtual gland” method for quantifying epithelial fluid secretion

We developed a new apparatus, the virtual gland (VG), for measuring the rate of fluid secretion ( Jv), its composition, and the transepithelial potential (TEP) in cultured epithelial cells under open circuit. The VG creates a 10-μl chamber above the apical surface of epithelial cells on a Costar filter with a small hole leading to an oil-filled reservoir. After the chamber is primed with a fluid of choice, secreted fluid is forced through the hole into the oil, where it forms a bubble that is monitored optically to determine Jv and collected for analysis. Calu-3 cells were mounted in the VG with a basolateral bath consisting of Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer at 37°C. Basal Jv was 2.7 ± 0.1 μl·cm−2·h−1 ( n = 42), and TEP was −9.2 ± 0.6 mV ( n = 33); both measures were reduced to zero by ouabain ( n = 6). Jv and TEP were stimulated 64 and 59%, respectively, by 5 μM forskolin ( n = 10), 173 and 101% by 1 mM 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone ( n = 5), 213 and 122% by 333 nM thapsigargin ( n = 5), and 520 and 240% by forskolin + thapsigargin ( n = 6). Basal Jv and TEP were inhibited to 82 and 63%, respectively, with 10 μM bumetanide ( n = 5), 71 and 82% with 100 μM acetazolamide ( n = 5), and 47 and 56% with 600 μM glibenclamide ( n = 4). Basal Jv and TEP were 52 and 89% of control values, respectively, after HCO3− replacement with HEPES ( n = 16). The net HCO3− concentration of the secreted fluid was close to that of the bath (25 mM), except when stimulated with forskolin or VIP, when it increased (∼80 mM). These results validate the use of the VG apparatus and provide the first direct measures of Jv in Calu-3 cells.

Bioelectric toxicity caused by chlorpromazine in human lung epithelial cells

Endogeneous and exogeneous amine-containing substances possess pneumophilic properties. Among them, tricyclic amphiphilic amine drugs like neuroleptics intensively accumulate in the lung cell membrane and occasionally cause severe respiratory disorders. In the present study, we examined the bioelectric toxicity of chlorpromazine (CPZ), a commonly used neuroleptic, in human lung epithelial cells. CPZ concentration-dependently inhibited the isoproterenol (ISO)-generated short-circuit current (I(sc)) sensitive to a nonselective K(+) channel blocker, clotrimazole (30 microM), but insensitive to a selective Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (K(Ca)) channel blocker, charybdotoxin (ChTx, 100 nM). The effects of apical CPZ on the ISO-induced responses were greater than those of basolateral CPZ. Forskolin- and 8-bromo-cyclic AMP-induced I(sc) were partially prevented by CPZ. Nystatin permeabilization of the monolayers revealed that CPZ attenuated the basolateral K(+) current elicited by ISO more than that elicited by forskolin and that the apical Cl(-) current elicited by forskolin was instead potentiated by CPZ, although it inhibited the ISO-induced Cl(-) current. 1-Ethyl-2-benzimdazolinone (1-EBIO, a K(Ca) channel opener, 500 microM)- and ionomycin (Ca(2+) ionophore, 1 microM)-evoked Cl(-) secretions were also sensitive to CPZ. These results indicate that CPZ inhibits transepithelial Cl(-) transport, affecting at least two different targets: the beta-adrenergic receptor and the basolateral K(+) channels (especially the K(Ca) channel). Electrostatic interactions at the inner surface of the membrane between the protonated amines of CPZ and negatively charged portions of the plasma membrane may be involved in the mechanisms.

Protection by tetracyclines against ion transport disruption caused by nystatin in human airway epithelial cells

Polyene antifungal antibiotics like nystatin form monovalent cation pores on the plasma membrane that perturb the intracellular electrolyte milieu, resulting in cell damage. In the present study, we investigated the effects of tetracyclines (minocycline and tetracycline) on ion transporters disrupted by nystatin in cultured human airway Calu-3 cells. Apical application of nystatin (50 microM) on a monolayer of the cells stimulated Na(+)-K(+) pump activity as estimated by ouabain (1 mM)-sensitive short-circuit current (I(sc)). The nystatin-potentiated I(sc) was inhibited by minocycline (IC(50) = 25 microM) or tetracycline (IC(50) = 150 microM) applied only from the apical (nystatin-treated) side. Nystatin increased monolayer conductance that was reversed by the application of tetracyclines. In contrast, ouabain potentiated the nystatin-induced change in the conductance. Further, Na(+)-glucose transport affected by nystatin was also normalized by tetracyclines from the nystatin-treated side of the membrane. These data suggest that tetracyclines may lower the cell permeability potentiated by nystatin, protecting cells against damage.

Novel effects of minocycline on Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) secretion in human airway epithelial Calu-3 cells

The present study concerns previously unreported effects of the antibiotic minocycline on the transepithelial Cl(-) transport in Calu-3 cells, which display electrophysiological properties consistent with human airway serous cells. Basolateral 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS, 200 microM) augmented Cl(-) secretion, which was detected as a 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate (NPPB, 100 microM, a Cl(-) channel blocker)-sensitive short-circuit current (I(sc)). The DIDS-induced I(sc) was composed of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (K(Ca)) channel-dependent and -independent components. The former was selectively inhibited by 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetra(acetoxymethyl)ester (BAPTA/AM, 10 microM), charybdotoxin (ChTx, 100 nM), clotrimazole (10 microM), basolateral Ca(2+) removal, and basolateral minocycline (IC(50) = 20 microM). The latter was attenuated by basolateral BaCl (5 mM). In contrast, forskolin (10 microM)-induced I(sc), which is insensitive to BAPTA/AM and ChTx, was unaffected by minocycline (100 microM). ATP-induced I(sc) was partially inhibited by basolateral but not by apical minocycline. I(sc) due to basolateral application of ionomycin (1 microM) was markedly suppressed by NPPB and basolateral Ca(2+) removal. These inhibitory effects were mimicked by minocycline applied only from the basolateral side of the monolayer. In the basolateral absence of Ca(2+), 1-ethyl-2-benzimdazolinone (500 microM), a K(Ca) channel opener, generated a sustained I(sc) sensitive to ChTx. Minocycline had no significant effect on the ChTx-sensitive component of the I(sc). It is concluded that minocycline inhibits K(Ca) channel-dependent Cl(-) secretion via a blockade of Ca(2+) influx across the basolateral membrane from the extracellular side.

[(Dihydroindenyl)oxy]alkonic acid inhibits the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator

We investigated the effects of [(dihydroindenyl)oxy]alkaonic acid (DIOA) on the Cl(-) secretion in Calu-3 human airway epithelial cells that exclusively express the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) as an apical Cl(-) channel. The 5'-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoate (NPPB)-sensitive short-circuit current (I(sc)) and apical conductance were markedly reduced by DIOA (100 microM) in the presence and absence of isoproterenol (10 nM). Replacement of the butyl group in DIOA with a methyl group attenuated the inhibitory effects. The ED(50) of DIOA (17.0+/-1.0 microM) was almost equivalent to that of NPPB (15.6+/-2.1 microM). In conclusion, DIOA inhibits CFTR as strongly as NPPB does.

Imipramine inhibits Cl(-) secretion by desensitization of beta-adrenergic receptors in calu-3 human airway cells

Recent investigations have found that tetracyclic antidepressants like imipramine (IMP) have high-affinity sites not only in brain but also in mammalian lung. In the present study, we examined the effects of IMP on the Cl(-) secretion produced by isoproterenol (ISP), a beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) agonist, in Calu-3 human airway cells. ISP applied in the basolateral solution generated a sustained short-circuit current that was abolished by diphenylamine-2-carboxylate, a Cl(-) channel blocker. IMP (0.01-1 mM) applied in the apical or basolateral solution for 30 min significantly inhibited the ISP-induced responses in a concentration-dependent manner, and the inhibitory effects of this drug were remarkable when applied from the apical rather than the basolateral side. ISP-induced responses were mimicked by forskolin- and 8-bromo-cyclic AMP-induced ones, but which were insensitive to IMP. These results indicate that IMP desensitizes the beta-AR on the basolateral membrane from the cytosolic side in Calu-3 cells.

CFTR-Mediated anion conductance regulates Na(+)-K(+)-pump activity in Calu-3 human airway cells

We studied the role of CFTR in the Na(+)-K(+)-pump activity of Calu-3 human airway cells. To estimate the Na(+)-K(+)-pump activity on the basolateral membrane, the ouabain-sensitive component of the short-circuit current (Isc) was measured after permeabilization of the apical membrane with nystatin, a Na(+) ionophore. The Na(+)-K(+)-pump activity was diminished by a selective CFTR blocker (glybenclamide) or nonspecific Cl(-) channel inhibitors (NPPB and DPC) but not by outwardly rectifying Cl(-) channel blockers (DNDS, DIDS). Augmentation of anion conductance by 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (8Br-cAMP, 1 mM) potentiated the Na(+)-K(+)-pump activity that was reduced by blocking CFTR or by the replacement of Cl(-) with gluconate, a less membrane-permeant anion. The Na(+)-K(+)-pump activity was unaffected by the replacement of Cl(-) with NO(-)(3) that has equal permeability through the CFTR. These results suggest that the anion movement through the CFTR may contribute to the Na(+)-K(+)-pump activity in Calu-3 cells by regulating the rate of Na(+) entry.