Mitochondria-rich cells and carbonic anhydrase content of toad skin epithelium

Chloride conductance and mitochondria-rich cell density in isolated skin of Rana catesbeiana acclimated to various environments

The Cl- conductance in isolated skin of frogs (Rana catesbeiana) acclimated to 30 mM solutions of NaCl, Na2SO4, MgCl2 and distilled water (DW) was studied. Transepithelial potential difference (PDtrans), short-circuit current (ISC) and total conductance (Gt) were measured under conditions such that there was Cl- flux in the presence and absence of Na+ transport. The Cl- content of the mucosal solution was acutely replaced with SO42- or gluconate to evaluate the effect of removal of Cl- conductance on electrophysiological parameters. Mitochondria-rich cell density (DMRC) was also measured. Skins from frogs acclimated to NaCl and Na2SO4 showed the lowest and the highest D(MRC), respectively, but no difference could be found between the skins from frogs acclimated to DW and MgCl2 indicating that DMRC is not unconditionally dependent on environmental Cl- in this species. Frogs acclimated to NaCl showed marked differences when compared to the other groups: the highest Gt, probably represented by a higher paracellular conductance; the lowest transepithelial electrical potential difference which remained invariant after replacement of mucosal Cl- with SO42- or replacement of mucosal Cl- with gluconate and an inwardly oriented positive current in the absence of bilateral Na+.

Mitochondria-rich cells in anuran amphibia: chloride conductance and regional distribution over the body surface

The distribution and density (D(mrc)) of mitochondria-rich cells (MR cells) in skin epithelium, were determined over the whole body surface in nine species of anuran Amphibia that live in a variety of habitats. It was found that the more terrestrial species (beginning with Hyla arborea) have a higher density of MR cells in their pelvic region. In the skin of aquatic (Xenopus laevis) or fossorial (Pelobates syriacus) species, D(mrc) is evenly distributed over the whole body surface. In dorsal skin pieces of H. arborea that lack detectable MR cells, transepithelial voltage activation did not induce Cl(-) conductance as it did in ventral pieces. Skins from Bufo viridis and X. laevis, both have MR cells in their skin, differ markedly in their biophysical properties: a Cl(-) specific current conductance is predominant in the skin epithelium of B. viridis, and is absent in X. laevis. In the latter, anionic conductance is due to glandular secretion. The biophysical properties cannot therefore be related solely to the presence or density of MR cells. Mitochondria-rich cells are sites of Cl(-) conductance across the skin of those amphibians that show this property, but must have different function(s) in other species. It is suggested that the specific zonal distribution of MR cells in the species that were examined in this study could be due to ion exchange activity and water conservation in more terrestrial environments.

Cytochemical and immunocytochemical investigations on epidermal mitochondria-rich cells in Salamandra salamandra salamandra (L.) larvae

In the present study we set out to investigate the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, beta 1-integrin, fibronectin and vitronectin in the mitochondria-rich cells (MRC) of the skin of Salamandra salamandra salamandra. Moreover MRC were stained with five lectins (Triticum vulgaris; Dolichos biflorus; Glycine max; Arachis hypogaea and Canavalia ensiformis). Larval MRC expressed both adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix glycoproteins and bound all lectins tested. Juvenile MRC did not react with the antisera utilized, but they stained with the lectins. Both the lectins and the regulatory molecules proved to be good cytochemical markers for distinguishing morphologically differentiated MRC during the larval life of Salamandra salamandra salamandra. The adhesion molecules and matrix glycoproteins are of great utility for maintaining the correct tissue architecture. In Salamandra salamandra salamandra larvae these molecules may be crucial for stability and for the correct localization and fate of all skin elements, including specialized cells such as larval MRC.

Heterogeneity of chloride channels in the apical membrane of isolated mitochondria-rich cells from toad skin

The isolated epithelium of toad skin was disintegrated into single cells by treatment with collagenase and trypsine. Chloride channels of cell-attached and excised inside-out apical membrane-patches of mitochondria-rich cells were studied by the patch-clamp technique. The major population of Cl- channels constituted small 7-pS linear channels in symmetrical solutions (125 mM Cl-). In cell-attached and inside-out patches the single channel i/V-relationship could be described by electrodiffusion of Cl- with a Goldmann-Hodgkin-Katz permeability of, PCl = 1.2 x 10(-14) - 2.6 x 10(-14) cm3. s-1. The channel exhibited voltage-independent activity and could be activated by cAMP. This channel is a likely candidate for mediating the well known cAMP-induced transepithelial Cl- conductance of the amphibian skin epithelium. Another population of Cl- channels exhibited large, highly variable conductances (upper limit conductances, 150-550 pS) and could be activated by membrane depolarization. A group of intermediate-sized Cl(-)-channels included: (a) channels (mean conductance, 30 pS) with linear or slightly outwardly rectifying i/V-relationships and activity occurring in distinct "bursts," (b) channels (conductance-range, 10-27 pS) with marked depolarization-induced activity, and (c) channels with unresolvable kinetics. The variance of current fluctuations of such "noisy" patches exhibited a minimum close to the equilibrium-potential for Cl-. With channels occurring in only 38% of sealed patches and an even lower frequency of voltage-activated channels, the chloride conductance of the apical membrane of mitochondria-rich cells did not match quantitatively that previously estimated from macroscopic Ussing-chamber experiments. From a qualitative point of view, however, we have succeeded in demonstrating the existence of Cl-channels in the apical membrane with features comparable to macroscopic predictions, i.e., activation of channel gating by cAMP and, in a few patches, also by membrane depolarization.

Histochemical localization of carbonic anhydrase in the trachea of the guinea pig

Tissue specimens from guinea pigs were examined using an enzyme-histochemical reaction to explore the presence of carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity in the trachea. CA activity was detected in a group of morphologically distinct epithelial cells, in goblet cells, and in glands of the tracheal mucosa. The epithelial cells showing CA activity were distributed singly and sparsely throughout the entire trachea. These cells showed a wide morphological variability and were clearly different from those forming the pseudostratified ciliated epithelium. Their number was higher in sections closer to the tracheal bifurcation than in those near the larynx. Although the nature of these cells is unknown, based on their morphological and histochemical characteristics and their distribution, they may represent a specialized chemoreceptor. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CA localized in tracheal epithelial cells.

Identification of nasal epithelial cells with carbonic anhydrase activity

Although carbonic anhydrase (CA) plays an important role in respiration, there is little information about CA in the respiratory system except for the lung. We examined the entire nasal cavity of guinea pig to identify CA activity using an enzyme-histochemical method. CA activity was detected in a group of morphologically distinct nasal epithelial cells. These cells were singly and sparsely distributed mainly in the olfactory epithelium and their number increased rostrocaudally. These cells were also detected in the apical portion of the nasal turbinate, particularly on the nasal endoturbinate, with a more complicated structure, rather than on the nasal septum and the roof of nasal cavity. Although the physiological role of these cells in unknown, based on the morphological and histochemical characteristics and the distribution of these cells, we speculated that they may represent a specialized chemoreceptors.

Tissue kinetics, ion transport, and recruitment of mitochondria-rich cells in the skin of the toad (Bufo bufo) in response to exposure to distilled water

Mitochondria-rich cells (MRC) of the amphibian epidermis are responsible for active chloride uptake at low external salinity, and new MRCs are recruited in response to exposure to distilled (deionized) water. The time-course of this recruitment, the tissue kinetics and ion transport have been studied in toads (Bufo bufo) immediately before, and after 2,7, and 14 days exposure to distilled water. General epidermal structure was not affected. However, the numbers of MRCs per mm2 (DMRC) increased throughout the experiment as revealed by staining of epidermal sheets with AgNO3 (Ag) or methylene blue (MB). Part of the increased DMRC was accounted for by an increase in MRC subpopulation(s) that stained neither with Ag nor MB. The cell birth rate (Kb) decreased and cell loss by moulting (Kd) increased without any significant change in epidermal cell pool size, indicating a reduced apoptotic rate. The increase in DMRC was accompanied by a 3-fold increase in Cl- current (ICl). At day-2 there was a transient reduction in the ICl per MRC. H+ secretion was progressively reduced during prolonged exposure to distilled water. Thus, at day-2 MRCs appeared incompletely differentiated as indicated by decreased ICl and H+ flux per MRC, and by the increased proportion of MRCs unstained by Ag or MB. Full Cl- (but not H+) transport capacity, was restored at day-7. We conclude that increased DMRC following exposure to low external Cl-, rather than being due to an increased Kb, is the combined effect of a decreased apoptotic rate and an increased rate of differentiation, where 'morphological differentiation' precedes 'functional differentiation'.

Dynamics and density of mitochondria-rich cells in toad skin epithelium

The dynamics of change in mitochondria-rich (MR) cells density in the skin epithelium of Bufo viridis was studied on skin biopsies taken in vivo, throughout experimental periods lasting up to 3 months. When the bathing solution contained Cl-, MR cells' density (Dmrc) greatly decreased. There was one exception, when the acclimation solution was KCl, Dmrc in the skin increased. The rate of decrease in Dmrc depended on the mode of acclimation. When bath NaCl concentration was elevated slowly in small increments, the change in Dmrc was very slow. A regression line was calculated for the rate of decrease in the density of MR cells. An equation in the form of y = 1574 - 10.23x (where x = days; R2 = 0.626) was obtained with bath NaCl that was elevated from 30 to 200 mmol/l, in 45 days. Oxytocin (60 mU/ml) increased sodium transport, independently and without effect on Cl- conductance. Theophylline (1 mmol/l), which leads also to elevation of cellular cAMP in contrast, increased Na+ transport, but elevated Cl- conductance 3-4 times as well. Cl- conductance that is activated by transepithelial potential was much lower in skin from hyperosmotic NaCl-acclimated toads, as compared with that in skin from tap water-acclimated animals. Our experiments confirm that MR cells are a major pathway for Cl- conductance, as suggested earlier. However, the density of these cells in the skin epithelium of B viridis depends not only on bath NaCl concentration, but also on the mode of acclimation of the animals. Since transport functions other than gCl reside in the amphibian skin MR cells, the density of MR cells must also depend on these functions. These functions, and the mechanisms responsible for the down and up regulation of MR cells' density, remain to be established.

Flask cells and flask-shaped glandular cells of amphibian skin specifically produce fucose-rich glycoproteins

A battery of horseradish peroxidase-conjugated lectins has been employed as a cytochemical tool for the labelling of specific cell types in amphibian epidermis. Among the lectins used, only Ulex europaeus I (UEA I) showed specific reaction with the cytoplasm of flask cells. In addition, UEA I stained flask-shaped secretory cells in dermal glands and a reaction on glandular ductal cells was also observed. At the electron microscopic level, lectin binding was found in granules distributed among mitochondria in the cytoplasm of flask cells and in larger mucous granules of flask-shaped glandular cells, which were released into the lumen. UEA I also stained the extracellular space above flask cells. The labelling was due mainly to a glycoprotein of mol. wt. approx. 27 kDa. Structural and cytochemical similarities between flask cells and flask-shaped cells of dermal glands could be a consequence of a common secretory role of both cell types.

An ultrastructural study of the dorsal lingual epithelium of the crab-eating frog, Rana cancrivora

The amphibian tongue contains two types of papilla which are believed to function in gustation and in the secretion of salivary fluid. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that columnar, filiform papillae are compactly distributed over nearly the entire dorsal surface of the tongue of the frog, Rana cancrivora, and fungiform papillae are scattered among the filiform papillae. Microridges and microvilli are distributed on the epithelial cell surface of the extensive area of the filiform papillae. Light microscopy shows that the apex of each filiform papilla is composed of stratified columnar and/or cuboidal epithelium and its base is composed of simple columnar epithelium. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that most of the epithelium of the filiform papillae is composed of cells that contain numerous round electron-dense granules 1-3 microns in diameter. Cellular interdigitation is well developed between adjacent cells. On the free-surface of epithelial cells, microridges or microvilli are frequently seen. Between these granular cells, a small number of ciliated cells, mitochondria-rich cells and electron-lucent cells are inserted. In some cases, electron-dense granules are present in the ciliated cells. At higher magnification, the electron-dense granules appear to be covered with patterns of spots and tubules. Overall, the morphology and ultrastructure of the lingual epithelium of the three species of Rana that have been studied are quite similar, but they can be easily distinguished from those of Bufo japonicus. Therefore, it appears that lingual morphology is phylogenetically constrained among members of the predominantly freshwater genus Rana to produce uniformity of papillary structure and this morphology persists in Rana cancrivora despite the distinct saline environment in which it lives.

Oxygen uptake of isolated toad skin epithelium: micromeasurement and effect of ionic acclimation

Oxidative metabolism of isolated toad skin epithelium (Bufo viridis) was investigated in vitro under open-circuit conditions using the spectrophotometric oxyhemoglobin micromethod. This highly sensitive technique has been adapted for studying several epithelia in parallel and for detecting possible regional variations of oxygen uptake in individual epithelium. Changes in the proportion of mitochondria-rich cells (MRC) by ionic acclimation affected oxidative metabolism under nontransporting condition. After acclimation of animals to either NaNO3 or NaCl solutions (100 mmol/l, for greater than 2 wk), the number of MRC per square millimeter in epithelia from nonacclimated and NaNO3- and NaCl-acclimated animals was 350 +/- 113, 460 +/- 196, and 107 +/- 52, respectively. O2 uptake of nonacclimated and NaNO3-acclimated epithelia was significantly higher than that of NaCl-acclimated epithelia (i.e., 0.89 and 0.90 vs. 0.57 nmol O2.h-1.mm-2, respectively). The correlation established between O2 uptake and number of MRC allowed evaluation of the respiration rate of one single MRC, i.e., approximately 1 pmol O2/h. The lowest mitochondrial oxidative activity was found in the epithelia from NaCl-acclimated toads where the uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol (50 mumols/l) had the highest relative stimulatory effect (+114%). Acetazolamide (50 mumols/l), a potent inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase mainly present in the MRC, reduced selectively by 31% O2 uptake of the MRC-rich epithelia (NaNO3 acclimated). O2 uptake increased significantly by approximately 80% when basolateral pH increased from 5.8 to 7.8, but did not depend on apical pH. These findings indicate that under nontransporting (open-circuit) conditions, aerobic metabolism of the isolated toad skin epithelium is related to the density and/or characteristics of the MRC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of hydrocortisone on the ultrastructure of the thymic cysts of the chick embryo

Thymi from 80 19-day chick embryos that were injected with 2.5 mg of hydrocortisone on the 15th day of incubation were examined by light and electron microscopy. Six thymic tissue blocks from each embryo were evaluated. Hydrocortisone caused a marked depression of thymic volume due mainly to the depletion of lymphocytes. Cystic structures, consisting of intercellular and intracellular cysts and individual cystic cells, were more numerous per unit area of medullary tissue in treated embryos than in the controls. In the treated group, the shape of cystic cells varied from squamous to columnar, and hypertrophied columnar cells were also evident. The luminal surface possessed well-developed microvilli with membrane invaginations at their bases. The terminal web was prominent and the lateral plasma membranes were highly interdigitated. The rough and smooth-surface endoplasmic reticula and the Golgi complex of thymi from treated embryos were more developed than those in the controls. Mitochondria and vesicles were increased in number following hydrocortisone treatment. Cysts lined partially by cystic and endothelial-like and smooth muscle cells were encountered in the treated group. These structural modifications probably reflect responses to increased absorptive or transport function. The data suggest that hydrocortisone may alter the structure of cystic cells in chick embryos.

Effects of environmental conditions on mitochondrial-rich cell density and chloride transport in toad skin

Chloride flux across amphibian skin is usually passive, yet largely conductive; previous reports have suggested that aldosterone influences this pathway. The conductive Cl- pathway and its regulation were examined further, across the abdominal skin of toads (Bufo marinus) adapted to various environments. Short-circuit current (Isc), total conductance (Gt) and Cl- influx (JCl) were measured in conditions such that there was net Cl- movement in absence of Na+ transport. In salt-deprived animals compared to salt-adapted ones, there was a significant increase in JCl (563 vs 200 pmol cm-2 s-1), aldosteronaemia (4.2 vs 1.1 nmol/l), as well as MRC density (1458 vs 851 mm-2). After adaptation to dilute Na2SO4 compared to MgCl2, JCl (631 vs 313 pmol cm-2 s-1) as well as the density of mitochondria-rich cells (MRC) (1306 vs 710 mm-2) practically doubled, while the toads' aldosteronaemia was lower (2.4 vs 10.8 mmol/l). In all groups of toads, JCl was matched by Isc, and there was a close correlation between Gt and JCl (r = 0.96), which confirms the conductive nature of transepithelial Cl- movement. Furthermore, the relationship between JCl and MRC density (r = 0.75) argues in favour of a role played by MRC on Cl- conductance of epithelial such as amphibian skin. As aldosterone injected for 1 week into NaCl-adapted toads did not influence MRC density and as aldosteronaemia was not correlated with Cl- conductance, this hormone does not emerge as the determinant of these parameters.

Adaptive changes of H+ secreting cells in the epidermis of the leopard frog Rana pipiens

1. Mitochondria-rich (MR) cells in the integument of the southern leopard frog, Rana pipiens, berlandieri, were stained with AgNO3 under a variety of environmental and metabolic treatment conditions known to increase H+ excretion rates across the skin. In this tissue AgNO3 proved to be a good stain for discriminating the MR cell populations from the granular cells. 2. High salinity adapted southern frogs showed no change in the MR cell population. The inability of the MR cell number to significantly increase suggested that the increased H+ excretion rates previously seen in these animals were not due to increased MR cell proliferation. 3. The MR cell population was found to increase in the NaNO3 adapted frogs, demonstrating the contribution of altered extracellular Cl- concentrations on the regulation of MR cell density. 4. Animals that were placed in chronic metabolic acidosis or pre-treated with ibuprofen demonstrated an increased MR cell population. The current observations are consistent with previous findings that these treatment regimes increase H+ excretion, suggesting that one of the cellular adaptive mechanisms responsible for increasing H+ excretion involves increasing the MR cell density. 5. The results further suggest that prostaglandins may play a role in regulating H+ excretion in MR cells, and that either changes in intracellular pH or prostaglandin formation regulates cell proliferation.

A developmentally regulated wound epithelial antigen of the newt limb regenerate is also present in a variety of secretory/transport cell types

The role of the wound epithelium in amphibian limb regeneration is not understood. We showed previously that monoclonal antibody (mAb) WE3 stains the wound epithelium but not skin epidermis, suggesting that the WE3 antigen may be a marker for, or be important in, the function of the wound epithelium. In the present study, we conducted an extensive immunohistochemical survey of adult newt tissues to define the distribution of the WE3 antigen. The results show that the antigen is most commonly found in tissues specialized in macromolecular secretion and/or ion transport. Since the enzyme, carbonic anhydrase, serves as a useful marker for a variety of specialized transporting cell types, we examined whether this enzyme was present in WE3-reactive cells. Of the tissues examined, a striking degree of colocalization of carbonic anhydrase and the WE3 antigen was observed, further strengthening the view that the WE3 antigen is an important constituent of specialized transporting cells. A preliminary biochemical characterization suggests that the antigen is probably a glycoprotein, which elutes during gel filtration as a species of over 660 kDa. Possible implications for the function of the wound epithelium are discussed.

The key role of the mitochondria-rich cell in Na+ and H+ transport across the frog skin epithelium

We have investigated the possibility that the mitochondria-rich (MR) cells participate in sodium and proton transport, when the frog skin epithelium is bathed on its apical side with solutions of low Na+ concentration, by comparing transport rates with morphological observations (MR cell number and MR cell pit surface area). Frogs were adapted to various salinities or the isolated skins were treated with the following hormones, deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA), arginine vasotocin (AVT) and oxytocin in order to modify the transport of sodium and hydrogen ions. Adaptation of the frogs (either 3-4 days or 7-10 days) to distilled water, NaCl (50 mmol/l), KCl (50 mmol/l) or Na2SO4 (25 mmol/l) solutions modified the Na+ transport rate and the morphology of the epithelium. The highest Na+ transport rates were found for the animals adapted to the Na+ free solutions and were correlated with an increase in the total MR cell pit surface area (number of MR cells x individual cell pit-surface area). The KCl adaptated group showed the largest increase in sodium and proton transport and also presented a metabolic acidosis as reflected by plasma acidification (pCO2 increase and HCO3- decrease). Proton secretion and sodium absorption were also found to be stimulated by either serosal DOCA addition (10(-6) M) or during acidification of the epithelium by serosally applied CO2. Na+ transport was enhanced by AVT (10(-6) M) or oxytocin (100 mU/ml) when the skin was bathed on its apical side with a high Na+ containing solution (115 mmol/l), whereas these hormones did not exert any effect on Na+ transport when the apical solution was low in Na+ (0.5 mmol/l).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)