Regulation of intracellular pH in cultured bovine retinal pigment epithelial cells

Pharmacology of the retinal pigment epithelium, the interface between retina and body system

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a close, interactive partner to the photoreceptors as well as an interface with the endothelium of the choroid and thus with the body's circulatory system. To fulfill these roles, the RPE communicates with neighboring tissue by secretion of a large variety of factors and is able to react to secreted factors via a plethora of transmembrane receptors. Clinically relevant local pharmacological effects are caused by anti-VEGF-A treatment in choroidal neovascularization or by carboanhydrase inhibitors reducing fluid accumulation in the macula. Being exposed to the bloodstream, the RPE reacts to systemic disease, such as diabetes or hypertension, but also to systemic pharmacological intervention, for example to hypotensive drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin-system. Sustained pharmacological treatments, in particular, cause side effects at the RPE with consequences for both RPE function and photoreceptor survival. Among these are systemic inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme, insulin treatment in diabetes and anti-VEGF-A therapy. Given the special anatomical and functional relationships of the RPE, pharmacological intervention targeting either the eye or the body systemically should take potential alteration of RPE and subsequently photoreceptor function into account.

The retinal pigment epithelium in visual function

Located between vessels of the choriocapillaris and light-sensitive outer segments of the photoreceptors, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) closely interacts with photoreceptors in the maintenance of visual function. Increasing knowledge of the multiple functions performed by the RPE improved the understanding of many diseases leading to blindness. This review summarizes the current knowledge of RPE functions and describes how failure of these functions causes loss of visual function. Mutations in genes that are expressed in the RPE can lead to photoreceptor degeneration. On the other hand, mutations in genes expressed in photoreceptors can lead to degenerations of the RPE. Thus both tissues can be regarded as a functional unit where both interacting partners depend on each other.

Molecular mechanisms of water transport in the eye

The four major sites for ocular water transport, the corneal epithelium and endothelium, the ciliary epithelium, and the retinal pigment epithelium, are reviewed. The cornea has an inherent tendency to swell, which is counteracted by its two surface cell layers, the corneal epithelium and endothelium. The bilayered ciliary epithelium secretes the aqueous humor into the posterior chamber, and the retinal pigment epithelium transports water from the retinal to the choroidal site. For each epithelium, ion transport mechanisms are associated with fluid transport, but the exact molecular coupling sites between ion and water transport remain undefined. In the retinal pigment epithelium, a H+-lactate cotransporter transports water. This protein could be the site of coupling between salt and water in this epithelium. The distribution of aquaporins does not suggest a role for these proteins in a general model for water transport in ocular epithelia. Some water-transporting membranes contain aquaporins, others do not. The ultrastructure is also variable among the cell layers and cannot be fitted into a general model. On the other hand, the direction of cotransport in symporters complies with the direction of fluid transport in both the corneal epi- and endothelium, as well as the ciliary epithelium and retinal pigment epithelium.

Intracellular pH regulation by a Na+/H+ exchanger in cultured bovine trabecular cells

Intracellular pH (pHi) of cultured bovine trabecular cells was measured using video-imaging techniques with a pH-sensitive intracellular fluorescent dye, BCECF. In bicarbonate-rich Ringer at pH 7.4, pHi was 7.29 +/- 0.03 (+/- SEM, n = 12 monolayers, 120 cells sampled). Exposure to 20 mM NH4Cl immediately alkalinized pHi: replacement with a Na(+)-rich solution acidified pHi before recovery to resting levels. When NH4Cl was replaced by a low Na+ solution, acidification was sustained but pHi recovery occurred after Na(+)-rich solution. A pHi of 7.11 +/- 0.02 (n = 2 monolayers, 20 cells) occurred in pH 6.8 and pHi was 7.72 +/- 0.03 (n = 2 monolayers, 20 cells) in pH 8.0. Amiloride (1 mM) acidified pHi but DIDS (1 mM) treatment, HCO3(-)-free condition, 1 mM ouabain, 50 mM K+, and 2 mM BaCl2 failed to change pHi. Hydrogen peroxide (1 mM) acidified pHi but no change occurred with 50 microM. Trabecular cells possess an Na+/H+ exchanger similar to that in other cell types.

Effects of intraocular pressure on pH outside rod photoreceptors in the cat retina

Double-barreled H(+)-selective microelectrodes were used to study the effect of raising intraocular pressure (ocular hypertension) on intraretinal pH in the cat. A surprising alkalinizing response was observed in the subretinal space on the first experimental day in seven of 11 experiments. Of the three retinal regions studied, the alkalinizing response was present in the area centralis and in the adjoining near-discal region, but was absent in the superior temporal periphery. The alkalinizing response was relatively fragile, diminishing and then extinguishing with repetition of episodes of ocular hypertension. It was also never observed on the second experimental day. The alkalinizing response had a relatively low threshold, appearing with 10 mmHg elevations of intraocular pressure, i.e. when the perfusion pressure was still relatively high, but was also present across a wide range of perfusion pressures. It was maximal in amplitude in the most distal portion of the subretinal space and consisted of two components, an 'on' alkalinization during the episode of ocular hypertension, and an 'off' alkalinization following it. When the alkalinizing response was present in the subretinal space, it also could be recorded with placement of the microelectrode in the choroid. Elevations of systemic arterial blood pressure with epinephrine (intravenous), by raising perfusion pressure, also alkalinized the subretinal space, indicating that an increase in choroidal blood flow can produce this type of pH response. While pH recordings do not directly monitor blood flow, we tentatively interpreted the alkalinizing response with ocular hypertension as originating from a regional increase in choroidal blood flow, but we cannot rule out other explanations. Acidification of the subretinal space in response to ocular hypertension replaced the alkalinizing response when the latter extinguished, or acidification was the sole response in the absence of an alkalinization. The acidification also had a low threshold, was maximal in the most distal portion of the subretinal space, and increased in size with decreases in perfusion pressure. The acidification was reduced in amplitude by breathing 100% oxygen (hyperoxia). This was interpreted as suppression of the component of acidification that originated from an increase in glycolysis by the rod photoreceptors during ocular hypertension.

Effects of light and darkness on pH outside rod photoreceptors in the cat retina

We recorded pH in the extracellular space surrounding rod photoreceptors in the dark-adapted eye of the cat and during illumination with double-barreled H(+)-selective microelectrodes. A pH of 7.17 was recorded in the vitreous at the retinal surface of the dark-adapted eye and this became more alkaline during light adaptation. In dark adaptation, a pH close to 7.00 was recorded in a region of maximal acidity in the extracellular space surrounding rods in the outer nuclear layer (ONL). pH steeply alkalinized as the microelectrode was moved more distally towards the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and almost reached the pH of the arterial blood at the apical surface of the RPE. Illumination produced an intraretinal alkalinization that was largest (up to 0.2 pH units) in the ONL, maximal in amplitude at rod-saturating intensities, and that was sustained during steady background illumination. The light-evoked alkalinization was relatively slow in onset, having a time constant (1/e) of 64 sec, and took 8-12.5 min to return to the dark-adapted level after the offset of maintained illumination. These results show that acid production by cat rods is highest in the dark, reflecting a high rate of energy metabolism, and suggest that glycolysis is required to support the dark current. Illumination, by suppressing both glycolysis and respiration, alkalinizes the extracellular space surrounding rods. The substantial change in pH outside rods from dark to light could alter pH dependent properties of the interphotoreceptor matrix.

Effects of intravenous acetazolamide on retinal pH in the cat

Double-barreled H(+)-selective microelectrodes were used to study the effect on intravenous acetazolamide on intraretinal pH in the cat. Acetazolamide (11.4-27.8 mg kg-1 intravenously) caused a rapid acidification of the subretinal space. This change in pH originated in the most distal portion of the subretinal space and could not be attributed to a change in pH or PCO2 of the arterial blood. Slow light-evoked alkalinizations in distal retina, attributable to a decrease in rod photoreceptor energy metabolism, were relatively unaltered by acetazolamide. This result indicated that acetazolamide had not crossed the blood-retinal barrier in sufficient amounts to change this response. In time, following intravenous perfusion of acetazolamide, continuous depth profiles of intraretinal pH showed an acidification of the entire retina and the vitreous also became more acidic. These results indicate that the rapid or primary effect of acetazolamide is an acidification of the distal portion of the subretinal space, which is thought to originate in a change in the transport of H+ or HCO3- by the retinal pigment epithelium. This is followed by an acidification of the entire retina and vitreous, presumably due to diffusion of acid from the distal retina, although there could be additional causes.

Active transport of ascorbic acid across the retinal pigment epithelium of the bullfrog

Known functions of the RPE include glucose, water and retinoid transports; an ion transport mechanism utilizing a Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase pump located in the apical membrane has been proposed. Recent studies with cultured RPE cells of cat and bovine indicate that the RPE takes up ascorbate by an active mechanism. In this study we use a mounted bullfrog RPE preparation to study unidirectional and net fluxes of radiolabeled (14C)-ascorbic acid (AA), (14C)-dehydroascorbic acid, (3H)-L-glucose(L-glu) and (14C)-3-O-methyl-D-glucose(mD-glu) in an effort to explore the mechanism whereby AA moves across this tissue. Comparative flux studies with AA indicated that the retina to blood side (apical to basal:AB) flux of AA was more than 6x that of L-glu, a passive marker of comparable size. The reverse BA flux of AA was not significantly different from that of L-glu. Flux studies of L-glu, mD-glu and dehydroascorbic acid revealed no "net" flux across the mounted RPE; significantly, only AA demonstrated a net flux from retina to choroid (AB). The AB flux of reduced ascorbate was significantly greater than that of dehydroascorbic acid indicating specificity of carrier mediation. Apical ouabain (10(-4) M) and sodium replacement in the bathing medium reduced the AB and net flux of AA significantly suggesting the requirement of a functioning Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase on the apical side membrane of the RPE. Energy blocker, dinitrophenol decreased unidirectional AB and net AA fluxes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

pHi regulation in frog retinal pigment epithelium: two apical membrane mechanisms

This study demonstrates that the apical membrane of frog retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) contains two intracellular pH (pHi) regulatory mechanisms, an electrogenic Na-HCO3 cotransporter blocked by DIDS and an amiloride-inhibitable Na-H antiporter. pHi was studied using the pH-sensitive dye 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). In these cells resting pHi equals 7.26 +/- 0.09 (n = 58). After an acid load (NH4Cl prepulse), pHi recovery required apical extracellular Na concentration ([Na]o) in HCO3 or HCO3-free Ringer. In HCO3 Ringer recovery was completely blocked by 1 mM apical DIDS (n = 5) but was not affected by absence of Cl. In HCO3-free Ringer, recovery was completely blocked by 1 mM apical amiloride (n = 3). At resting pHi, the intrinsic pH-buffering capacity of the cell is approximately 7.1 mM/pH and rises monotonically as pHi decreases. In HCO3 Ringer, the initial rate of acidification caused by apical Na removal, 0.39 +/- 0.03 pH/min (n = 26), was 80-90% inhibited by apical DIDS (n = 5) and 16% inhibited by 1 mM apical amiloride (n = 7), but not affected by absence of Cl. In HCO3 Ringer, initial rates of acidification induced by apical DIDS or amiloride were 0.11 +/- 0.06 (n = 5) and 0.03 +/- 0.02 pH/min (n = 7), respectively. These results indicate that the Na-HCO3 cotransporter accounts for 80-90% of the acid extrusion from frog RPE cells. Increasing apical [K]o from 2 to 5 mM approximates the in vivo apical [K]o changes during a light-dark transition and alkalinizes the cells. [K]o-induced alkalinization had an initial rate of 0.11 +/- 0.02 pH/min (n = 16), which was approximately 75% inhibited by apical DIDS (to 0.04 +/- 0.01 pH/min, n = 7) and completely blocked by HCO3/CO2 removal from both bathing solutions. [K]o-induced pHi changes alter RPE transport mechanisms and may affect RPE-photoreceptor interactions.

Cl- permeability of the basolateral membrane of the Rana esculenta epithelium: activation of Cl-/HCO3- exchange by alkaline intracellular pH

We have investigated Cl- transport mechanism(s) located in the basolateral membranes of the frog skin epithelium and in particular activation of Cl-/HCO3- exchange following an alkaline load. We found that 87% of the total 36Cl uptake by the epithelial cells occurs across the basolateral membranes (JbCl-) and submitting the epithelium to an alkaline load (HCO3(-)-Ringer solution, pH 8.1) increased JbCl-. Intracellular Cl- activity (aiCl-), measured with ion-sensitive microelectrodes, increased when the Ringer solution bathing the basolateral membranes was changed from a Ringer solution equilibrated in air (pH 7.4) to one containing CO2/HCO3- (pH 7.4). pHi recovery following an alkaline load was dependent on Cl- since it did not occur in serosal Cl(-)-free media, indicating the presence of a Cl(-)-dependent regulatory mechanism. Acid loading of the epithelial cells (5% CO2, HCO3(-)-free Ringer) produced no change in JbCl- but stimulated an amiloride-sensitive 22Na uptake across the basolateral membranes of the epithelium, compatible with an activation of a Na+/H+ exchanger, previously described in this tissue. JbCl- was partially blocked by SITS (5 x 10(-4) mmol/I), niflumic acid (5 x 10(-5) mmol/I), furosemide or bumetanide. Simultaneous addition of furosemide and niflumic acid produced an inhibition of JbCl- which was not different with furosemide alone. Substitution of Na+ by choline had no effect on JbCl- and furosemide did not block the 22Na+ uptake, suggesting that JbCl- is not a Na(+)-dependent process (cotransport). We conclude that a significant Cl- permeability at the basolateral membranes of the epithelial cells is due to the presence of a Cl-/HCO3- exchanger which is essential for the recovery of pHi following an alkaline load.

Na(+)-K(4)-Cl- cotransport in cultured cells derived from human retinal pigment epithelium

Unidirectional fluxes of Rb+ and Cl- were measured in cultured human retinal pigment epithelium (HRPE) to characterize the Na(+)-K(+)-Cl-cotransport system in this epithelial tissue. In HRPE, the ouabain-sensitive fraction of Rb+ influx comprises 65% of the total Rb+ influx. Bumetanide [inhibition constant (KI) = 160 nM] inhibited the residual ouabain-insensitive fraction of Rb+ influx by 70%. The bumetanide-sensitive fraction of Rb+ influx was dependent on the presence of both extracellular Na+ and Cl-. Cl- influx was similarly inhibited by bumetanide and also dependent on extracellular Na+ and Rb+. The stoichiometry of bumetanide-sensitive Cl- influx to Rb+ influx was 2:1. Elevation of extracellular osmolarity (by 30%) caused a 2.5-fold increase in Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransport activity in cultured HRPE. The present study provides direct evidence for the occurrence of Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransport-mediated cation and anion transport in HRPE.

Ionic control of intracellular pH in rat cerebellar Purkinje cells maintained in culture

1. Intracellular pH (pHi) was measured in single rat cerebellar Purkinje cells maintained in primary culture using microspectrofluorescence analysis of the intracellularly trapped pH-sensitive dye 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5 (and -6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). 2. The ratio of the fluorescence signals measured at 530 nm in response to an alternating excitation at 450 and 490 nm was calibrated using the K(+)-H+ ionophore nigericin. This calibration gave a steady-state pHi of 7.06 +/- 0.02 (S.E.M., n = 17) when cells were perfused by a 5% CO2-25 mM-HCO3(-)-buffered solution at an external pH of 7.40 at 37 degrees C. 3. Replacement of external chloride with gluconate in the presence of bicarbonate induced a cytoplasmic alkalinization of about 0.3 pH unit. This alkalinization was independent of external sodium and was greatly reduced by 0.5 mM-DIDS, indicating the presence of a chloride-bicarbonate exchange. 4. In bicarbonate-free (HEPES-buffered) solution the steady-state pHi was 7.37 +/- 0.02 (n = 19), significantly higher than in bicarbonate-buffered solution. Recovery from an intracellular acid load brought about by the ammonium chloride pre-pulse technique was blocked by the removal of external sodium or the addition of 1.5 mM-amiloride, indicating the presence of a sodium-hydrogen exchange. 5. In bicarbonate-buffered solution pHi recovery after an acid load was also completely blocked by addition of 1.5 mM-amiloride indicating the absence of a bicarbonate-dependent acid extrusion mechanism. 6. Addition of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA, 100 nM) induced an amiloride-sensitive alkalinization of about 0.3 pH unit in bicarbonate-buffered solution but had no effect in HEPES-buffered solution. This observation suggests that in cultured Purkinje cells the sodium-hydrogen exchanger could be activated through a protein kinase C pathway only when pHi is maintained at a low physiological value by the activity of the chloride-bicarbonate exchange.

Rheogenic sodium-bicarbonate co-transport across the retinal membrane of the frog retinal pigment epithelium

1. Na+ and HCO3- transport across the retinal membrane of the frog retinal pigment epithelium was studied by means of double-barrelled Na(+)- and pH-selective microelectrodes. Transient changes in the intracellular pH and in the intracellular Na+ activity were monitored in response to abrupt changes in the Na+ concentration and in the HCO3- concentration on the retinal side of the epithelium, and in response to transepithelial currents. 2. Removal of Na+ from the retinal side of the epithelium caused a depolarization of the membrane potential across the retinal membrane, a decrease in the intracellular Na+ activity and a decrease in the intracellular pH. 3. An increase in the HCO3- concentration on the retinal side of the epithelium from 27.5 to 50 mM caused a hyperpolarization of the membrane potential across the retinal membrane, an increase in the intracellular Na+ activity and an increase in the intracellular pH. 4. Passage of a transepithelial current of 30 microA in the choroid-to-retina direction caused an increase in the intracellular Na+ activity and an increase in the intracellular pH. 5. The data are interpreted as evidence for rheogenic co-transport of Na+, HCO3- across the retinal membrane of the frog retinal pigment epithelium. 6. The transient changes described under 2, 3 and 4 above were blocked by 0.5 mM-4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2.2'-disulphonic acid (SITS). The Na(+)- HCO3- co-transport was not inhibited by 1 mM-amiloride.

Evidence for Na/H exchange and Cl/HCO3 exchange in A10 vascular smooth muscle cells

In the present study we used the pH sensitive absorbance of 5(and6)-carboxy-4',5'-dimethylfluorescein to investigate intracellular pH (pHi) regulation in A10 vascular smooth muscle cells: (1) The steady state pHi in A10 cells averaged 7.01 +/- 0.1 (mean +/- SEM, n = 26) at an extracellular pH of 7.4 (28 mM HCO3/5% CO2). (2) Removal of extracellular sodium led to an intracellular acidification of 0.36 +/- 0.07 pH-units (mean +/- SEM, n = 8). (3) pHi-Recovery after an acute intracellular acid load (by means of NH4Cl-prepulse) was reversibly blocked by 1 mM amiloride and was dependent on the presence of sodium. The velocity of pHi recovery increased with increasing sodium concentrations with an apparent Km for external sodium of about 30 mM and a Vmax of about 0.35 pH units/min. These findings are compatible with a Na/H exchanger being responsible for pHi recovery after an acid load. (4) Removal of extracellular chloride induced an intracellular alkalinization of 0.23 +/- 0.03 pH-units (mean +/- SEM, n = 10). The alkalinization was dependent on the presence of extracellular bicarbonate. (5) Removal of chloride during pHi recovery from an alkaline load (imposed by acetate prepulse) stopped and reversed pHi backregulation. Chloride removal had no effect in the absence of bicarbonate or in the presence of 10(-4) M DIDS, suggesting that the effects were mediated by a Cl/HCO3 exchanger. In conclusion we have demonstrated evidence for a Na/H exchanger and a Cl/HCO3 exchanger in A10 vascular smooth muscle cells.

Evidence for Na+/H+ exchange and pH sensitive membrane voltage in cultured bovine corneal epithelial cells

Two methods were used to investigate cellular ion transport processes in confluent monolayers of cultured bovine corneal epithelial cells: measurements of membrane voltage (V) using conventional microelectrodes, and intracellular pH (pHi) measurements using the pH sensitive absorbance of intracellularly trapped 5 (and 6)-carboxy-4', 5'dimethyl-fluorescein. (1) V averaged -39.2 +/- 0.9 mV (mean +/- SEM, n = 71) with a range of -30 to -59 mV. Increasing extracellular potassium depolarized the cell membrane with a K+-slope of 43.3 mV/decade [K+] (for [K+] between 20 and 80 mM). Intracellular as well as extracellular acidification reversibly depolarized the cell membrane. Depolarization induced by 40 mM K+-pulses was smaller at extracellular pH (pHo) of 6.9 as compared to pHo = 7.9. These findings are compatible with a pH-sensitive K+ conductance. (2) During steady state pHi was 6.96 +/- 0.05 (mean +/- SEM, n = 7). After intracellular acidification, induced by NH4Cl-prepulse technique, pHi was regulated back towards normal steady state pHi. Application of 1 mM amiloride reversibly inhibited pHi recovery. Furthermore, pHi backregulation was inhibited by removing sodium from the extracellular solution. The effect was reversible after readdition of sodium. These findings suggest that a Na+/H+ exchange is present in corneal epithelial cells and participates in pHi backregulation after an intracellular acid load.