Ouabain-induced cell swelling in rabbit cortical collecting tubule: NaCl transport by principal cells

Na+-K+-ATPase plays a major role in mediating cutaneous thermal hyperemia achieved by local skin heating to 39°C

Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase is integrally involved in mediating cutaneous vasodilation during an exercise-heat stress, which includes an interactive role with nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Here, we assessed if Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase also contributes to cutaneous thermal hyperemia induced by local skin heating, which is commonly used to assess cutaneous endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Furthermore, we assessed the extent to which NOS contributes to this response. Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was measured continuously at four forearm skin sites in 11 young adults (4 women). After baseline measurement, local skin temperature was increased from 33°C to 39°C to induce cutaneous thermal hyperemia. Once a plateau in CVC was achieved, each skin site was continuously perfused via intradermal microdialysis with either: 1) lactated Ringer solution (control), 2) 6 mM ouabain, a Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase inhibitor, 3) 20 mM l-NAME, a NOS inhibitor, or 4) a combination of both. Relative to the control site, CVC during the plateau phase of cutaneous thermal hyperemia (∼50% max) was reduced by the lone inhibition of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase (-19 ± 8% max, P = 0.038) and NOS (-32 ± 4% max, P < 0.001), as well as the combined inhibition of both (-37 ± 9% max, P < 0.001). The magnitude of reduction was similar between NOS inhibition alone and combined inhibition (P = 1.000). The administration of both Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and NOS inhibitors fully abolished the plateau of CVC with values returning to preheating baseline values (P = 0.439). We show that Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase contributes to cutaneous thermal hyperemia during local skin heating to 39°C, and this response is partially mediated by NOS.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cutaneous thermal hyperemia during local skin heating to 39°C, which is highly dependent on nitric oxide synthase (NOS), is frequently used to assess endothelium-dependent cutaneous vasodilation. We showed that Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase mediates the regulation of cutaneous thermal hyperemia partly via NOS-dependent mechanisms although a component of the Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase modulation of cutaneous thermal hyperemia is NOS independent. Thus, as with NOS, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase may be important in the regulation of cutaneous endothelial vascular function.

Cell Volume Changes and Membrane Ruptures Induced by Hypotonic Electrolyte and Sugar Solutions

The cell volume changes induced by hypotonic electrolyte and sucrose solutions were studied in Chinese-hamster-ovary epithelial cells. The effects in the solutions with osmolarities between 32 and 315 mosM/L and distilled water were analyzed using bright-field and fluorescence confocal microscopy. The changes of the cell volume, accompanied by the detachment of cells, the formation of blebs, and the occurrence of almost spherical vesicle-like cells (“cell-vesicles”), showed significant differences in the long-time responses of the cells in the electrolyte solutions compared with the sucrose-containing solutions. A theoretical model based on different permeabilities of ions and sucrose molecules and on the action of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pumps is applied. It is consistent with the observed temporal behavior of the cells’ volume and the occurrence of tension-induced membrane ruptures and explains lower long-time responses of the cells in the sucrose solutions.

Fast, Na+ /K+ pump driven, steady-state transcytolemmal water exchange in neuronal tissue: A study of rat brain cortical cultures

PURPOSE

Water homeostasis and transport play important roles in brain function (e.g., ion homeostasis, neuronal excitability, cell volume regulation, etc.). However, specific mechanisms of water transport across cell membranes in neuronal tissue have not been completely elaborated.

METHODS

The kinetics of transcytolemmal water exchange were measured in neuronal tissue using simultaneous, real-time fluorescence and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements of perfused, active brain organotypic cortical cultures. Perfusion with a paramagnetic MRI contrast agent, gadoteridol, allows NMR determination of the unidirectional rate constant for steady-state cellular water efflux (k_io ), and the mole fraction of intracellular water ( pi), related to the average cell volume (V). Changes in intracellular calcium concentration [Cai2+] were used as a proxy for neuronal activity and were monitored by fluorescence imaging.

RESULTS

The k_io value, averaged over all cultures (N = 99) at baseline, was 2.02 (±1.72) s^-1 , indicating that on average, the equivalent of the entire intracellular water volume turns over twice each second. To probe possible molecular pathways, the specific Na⁺ -K⁺ -ATPase (NKA) inhibitor, ouabain (1 mM), was transiently introduced into the perfusate. This caused significant transient changes (N = 8): [Cai2+] rose ∼250%, V rose ∼89%, and k_io fell ∼45%, with a metabolically active k_io contribution probably eliminated by ouabain saturation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that transcytolemmal water exchange in neuronal tissue involves mechanisms affected by NKA activity as well as passive pathways. The active pathway may account for half of the basal homeostatic water flux. Magn Reson Med 79:3207-3217, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

The hydrogel nature of mammalian cytoplasm contributes to osmosensing and extracellular pH sensing

Cytoplasm is thought to have many hydrogel-like characteristics, including the ability to absorb large amounts of water and change volume in response to alterations in external environment, as well as having limited leakage of ions and proteins. Some gel-like behaviors have not been rigorously confirmed in mammalian cells, and others should be examined under conditions where gel volume can be accurately monitored. Thus, possible contributions of cytoplasm hydrogel properties to cellular processes such as volume sensing and regulation remain unclear. We used three-dimensional imaging to measure volume of single substrate-attached cells after permeabilization of their plasma membrane. Permeabilized cells swelled or shrinked reversibly in response to variations of external osmolality. Volume changes were 3.7-fold greater than observed with intact cells, consistent with cytoplasm's high water-absorbing capacity. Volume was maximal at neutral pH and shrunk at acidic or alkaline pH, consistent with pH-dependent changes of protein charge density and repulsive forces within cellular matrix. Volume shrunk with increased Mg(2+) concentration, as expected for increased charge screening and ionic crosslinking effects. Findings demonstrate that mammalian cytoplasm resembles hydrogel and functions as a highly sensitive osmosensor and extracellular pH sensor. Its high water-absorbing capacity may allow rapid modulation of local fluidity, macromolecular crowding, and activity of intracellular environment.

Molecular mechanism of cofilin dephosphorylation by ouabain

We previously reported that phosphorylated cofilin-triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) complex interacts with Na,K-ATPase and enhances the pump activity through the phosphorylation of cofilin via Rho-mediated signaling pathway. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the dephosphorylation of cofilin may be induced through Na,K-ATPase inhibition by ouabain. The phosphorylation level of cofilin by ouabain which decreases in a time- and dose-dependent manner in various human cell lines, remains unchanged by pretreatment with Src inhibitor, PP2; epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, AG1478; Raf-1 kinase (Raf) inhibitor, GW5074; and ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor, PD98059, and by transfection of Ras dominant negative mutant (RasN17). This suggests that ouabain dephosphorylates cofilin through the Src/EGFR/Ras/Raf/MEK pathway. Ouabain activates Ras/Raf/MEK pathway, but down-regulates Rho kinase (ROCK)/LIM kinase (LIMK)/cofilin pathway, implying that there may be a cross-talk by ouabain between the Ras/Raf/MEK and the ROCK/LIMK/cofilin pathways. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry suggest that ouabain-induced active form of cofilin may be involved in cytoskeletal reorganization and cell volume regulation. Thus, these findings demonstrate a new molecular mechanism for the dephosphorylation of cofilin through the inhibition of Na,K-ATPase by ouabain.

Regulation of TonEBP transcriptional activator in MDCK cells following changes in ambient tonicity

In response to ambient hypertonicity, TonEBP (tonicity-responsive enhancer binding protein) stimulates certain genes including those encoding cytokines, transporters for organic solutes, and a molecular chaperone. TonEBP is regulated in a bidirectional manner, upregulated by an increase in ambient tonicity while downregulated by a decrease. To investigate the role of intracellular ionic strength in the activity of TonEBP, we subjected Madin-Darby canine kidney cells to a variety of conditions. Electron microprobe analysis was performed to measure intracellular electrolytes. Under conditions in which changes in cell volume were similar, TonEBP activity correlated with the intracellular ionic strength regardless of the external tonicity. On the other hand, inhibition of the Na+/K+-ATPase and high external K+ concentration led to a decreased activity of TonEBP despite a marked increase in the intracellular ionic strength. Because isotonic swelling is known to occur under these conditions, these data suggest that dilution of the cytoplasmic constituents inhibits the activity of TonEBP. We conclude that intracellular ionic strength and water content are major factors that determine the activity of TonEBP.

Functional significance of cell volume regulatory mechanisms

To survive, cells have to avoid excessive alterations of cell volume that jeopardize structural integrity and constancy of intracellular milieu. The function of cellular proteins seems specifically sensitive to dilution and concentration, determining the extent of macromolecular crowding. Even at constant extracellular osmolarity, volume constancy of any mammalian cell is permanently challenged by transport of osmotically active substances across the cell membrane and formation or disappearance of cellular osmolarity by metabolism. Thus cell volume constancy requires the continued operation of cell volume regulatory mechanisms, including ion transport across the cell membrane as well as accumulation or disposal of organic osmolytes and metabolites. The various cell volume regulatory mechanisms are triggered by a multitude of intracellular signaling events including alterations of cell membrane potential and of intracellular ion composition, various second messenger cascades, phosphorylation of diverse target proteins, and altered gene expression. Hormones and mediators have been shown to exploit the volume regulatory machinery to exert their effects. Thus cell volume may be considered a second message in the transmission of hormonal signals. Accordingly, alterations of cell volume and volume regulatory mechanisms participate in a wide variety of cellular functions including epithelial transport, metabolism, excitation, hormone release, migration, cell proliferation, and cell death.

Changes in the volume of marginal cells induced by isotonic 'Cl- depletion/restoration': involvement of the Cl- channel and Na+-K+-Cl- cotransporter

Marginal cells constitute the endolymph-facing epithelium responsible for the secretion of endolymph by the stria vascularis in the inner ear. We have studied the possible involvement of Cl- conductance and Na+-K+-Cl- cotransport in the mechanism of changes in cell volume upon isotonic Cl- depletion/restoration. Changes in cell volume were estimated from video-microscopic images with the aid of an image processor. Marginal cells shrank to approximately 80% of their original volume in 30 s and to 65-70% in 90 s upon total replacement of [Cl]o (approximately 150 mM) by gluconate-, and the original volume of the shrunken cells was restored within 2 min after restoration of Cl-. The order of potency of anions to induce isotonic shrinkage was gluconate > I- > F- > Br-. The cell shrinkage caused by Cl- depletion was partially inhibited by 5-Nitro-2-(3-phenyl-propylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB, 0.2 mM), but not by either 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS, 0.5 mM), bumetanide (10 microM) or ouabain (1 mM). The cell shrinkage caused by a reduction of [Cl]o from approximately 150 mM to 7.5 mM was not affected by [K]o in the range of 3.6 mM to 72 mM. These results suggest that the main efflux pathway(s) responsible for the 'Cl removal'-induced shrinkage depends on volume-correlated Cl- conductance (Takeuchi and Irimajiri, J. Membrane Biol. 150, 47-62, 1996) and that this pathway(s) is essentially independent of the Na+-K+-Cl- cotransporter, the Na+,K+-ATPase, and the K+-Cl- cotransporter. With regard to volume recovery after isotonic shrinkage, its critical dependence on the simultaneous presence of Na+, K+ and Cl- in the bath and its substantial inhibition by bumetanide (10 microM) both indicate a major role for Na+-K+-Cl- cotransport. The strong influence on cell volume of solute fluxes working through the Cl- channel and the Na+-K+-Cl- cotransporter implies an essential role for these pathways in the ion transport mechanism(s) of the marginal cell.

Thiazide treatment of rats provokes apoptosis in distal tubule cells

We studied the effects of inhibition of apical NaCl entry on the structural correlates for electrolyte transport in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) of rats. Thiazide diuretics were used to block NaCl entry specifically in the DCT. Metolazone or hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) were applied for three days subcutaneously via osmotic minipumps. The renal epithelial structure of control and treated rats was studied by light and electron microscopy. Distribution of the thiazide-sensitive NaCl cotransporter (rTSC1), calbindin D28K and Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase was examined by immunohistochemistry, and the content of rTSC1 transcripts by Northern blot and in situ hybridization. In treated rats the DCT epithelium had lost the structural characteristics of electrolyte transporting epithelia and the cells were in different stages of apoptosis. In damaged cells calbindin D28K and Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase were strongly decreased; the rTSC1 was shifted from the luminal membrane to the basal cell half and was found additionally in small membrane vesicles in intercellular and peritubular spaces. Transcripts of rTSC1 were drastically reduced in homogenates of kidney cortex and almost absent in damaged DCT cells. All other tubular segments were unaffected by the treatment. Focal inflammatory infiltrates were found to be specifically surrounding DCT profiles. Thus, inhibition by thiazides of apical NaCl entry into DCT cells is associated with apoptosis of DCT cells and focal peritubular inflammation.

Regulatory volume decrease in a renal distal tubular cell line (A6). II. Effect of Na+ transport rate

A6 epithelia, a cell line originating from the distal tubular part of the kidney of Xenopus laevis, were cultured on permeable supports and mounted in an Ussing-type chamber. Cell thickness (Tc), short-circuit current (Isc) and transepithelial conductance (Gt) were recorded while tissues were bilaterally incubated in NaCl solutions and the transepithelial potential was clamped to zero. Effects of inhibition and stimulation of transepithelial Na+ transport on cell volume and on its regulation during a hyposmotic challenge were investigated. Under control conditions a slow spontaneous decrease of Tc described by a linear baseline was recorded. The reduction of the apical osmolality from 260 to 140 mosmol/kg did not alter cell volume significantly, demonstrating a negligible water permeability of the apical barrier. The inhibition of Na+ uptake by replacing apical Na+ by N-methyl-d-glucamine (NMDG+) did not affect cell volume under isotonic conditions. An increase of Tc by 12.1% above the control baseline was recorded after blocking active transport with ouabain for 60 min. The activation of Na+ transport with insulin or oxytocin, which is known to activate the apical water permeability in other epithelia, did not alter cell volume significantly. The insensitivity of cell volume to alterations in apical Na+uptake or Na+ pump rate confirms the close coupling between apical and basolateral transport processes. The blockage of basolateral K+ channels by 5 mM Ba2+ elicited a significant increase in Tc of 16.3% above control. Quinine, a potent blocker of volume-activated K+ channels, did not change Tc significantly. Basolateral hypotonicity elicited a rapid rise in Tc followed by a regulatory volume decrease (RVD). An RVD was also recorded after blocking apical Na+ uptake as well as after stimulating apical Na+ uptake with oxytocin or insulin. Inhibition of active transport with ouabain as well as blocking K+ efflux at the basolateral side with Ba2+ or quinine abolished the RVD. The inhibition of the RVD by ouabain seems to be caused by a depletion of cellular K+, whereas the effects of Ba2+ and quinine are most likely due to the blockage of the basolateral K+ pathway.

Prostaglandin E2 activates clusters of apical Cl- channels in principal cells via a cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent pathway

We examined cell-attached patches on principal cells of primary cultured, rabbit cortical collecting tubules. Under basal conditions, apical 9-pS Cl(-)-selective channels were observed in 9% of patches (11/126), and number of channels times open probability (NP0) was 0.56 +/- 0.21. The channel had a linear current-voltage relationship, reversal potential (Erev) near resting membrane potential, a P0 (0.30-0.70) that was independent of voltage, and complicated kinetics (i.e., bursting) at hyperpolarized potentials. NP0 and channel frequency were increased after 30 min of basolateral exposure to 0.5 microM PGE2 (18/56), 10 microM forskolin (23/36), or 0.5 mM dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) (25/41). Increases in NP0 appeared to be mediated primarily through an increase in the number of observed channels per patch (N), not changes in P0. After these cAMP-increasing maneuvers, N was inconsistent with a uniform distribution of channels in the apical membrane (P < 0.001), but rather the channels appeared to be clustered in pairs. Apical 0.5 microM PGE2 (12/91), apical or basolateral 0.5 microM PGF2 alpha (8/110), or 0.25 microM thapsigargin (releaser of intracellular Ca2+ stores) (7/73) did not increase NP0 or channel frequency.

CONCLUSIONS

(a) 9-pS Cl- channels provide a conductive pathway for apical membrane Cl- transport across principal cells. (b) Channel activation by basolateral PGE2 is mediated via a cAMP-, but not a Ca(2+)-dependent mechanism. (c) Apical channels are clustered in pairs. (d) With its low baseline frequency and Erev near resting membrane potential, this channel would not contribute significantly to transcellular Cl- flux under basal conditions. (e) However, cAMP-producing agonists (i.e., PGE2, arginine vasopressin) would increase apical Cl- transport with the direction determined by the apical membrane potential.

Cell volume changes upon sodium pump inhibition in Helix aspersa neurones

1. Identified neurones of the suboesophageal ganglia of Helix aspersa were loaded with tetramethylammonium (TMA+). Experimentally induced changes in cell water volume and membrane potential were measured continuously by monitoring changes in intracellular [TMA+] using ion-sensitive double-barrelled microelectrodes. The technique allowed measurements of cell water volume changes of less than 5%. 2. Exposure to hyperosmotic (up to +24%) or hyposmotic (up to about -10%) solutions caused reversible decreases and increases in cell water volume respectively, which agreed with near-ideal osmometric behaviour. Upon exposure to hyposmotic solutions whose osmolality was decreased by 30-40%, the cell water volume increased to maximum values below those expected for ideal osmometric behaviour and exhibited partial regulatory volume decrease. 3. The sodium pump was inhibited in twenty identified neurones by sustained exposure to 1 mM ouabain. In every case ouabain caused cell membrane depolarization, as expected for inhibition of an electrogenic sodium pump. 4. Upon pump inhibition most cells (n = 14) shrank by up to 13% of their initial water volume. In five of these cells, shrinkage was preceded by one or more short-lived swelling phases. In two other neurones short-lived swelling was followed by cell volume recovery without appreciable shrinkage. In four out of the twenty cells, there were no measurable volume changes. 5. The lack of an initial swelling phase in the cells that shrank, as well as the absence of detectable volume changes in some of the neurones, was not due to loss of ion-selective electrode sensitivity since predictable changes in cell volume elicited by osmotic challenges were monitored in the same cells. 6. It is concluded that neurones can be endowed with ouabain-insensitive mechanisms of volume control, whose activation following Na+ pump inhibition prevents them from short-term swelling and lysis.

Ouabain-induced cell swelling in rabbit connecting tubule: evidence for thiazide-sensitive Na(+)-Cl- cotransport

Mechanisms of Na+ entry across the luminal membrane of the rabbit connecting tubule (CNT) and cortical collecting duct (CCD) were investigated in vitro by analyzing factors that block the ouabain-induced tubular swelling. In the CNT and CCD, cell swelling caused by 100 microM ouabain added to the bath was completely blocked by luminal Na+ removal, suggesting that the main factor inducing cell swelling is Na+ entry through the luminal membrane. Trichlormethiazide (100 microM) and amiloride (10 microM) inhibited the swelling in CNT when applied in combination to the lumen, but not when given separately. The swelling was also inhibited by Cl- omission from the lumen in the presence of amiloride. By contrast, no effect was noted when furosemide (100 microM), 4-acetamide-4'-isothiocyanatostilben-2,2'-disulfonic acid (1 mM) or 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (100 microM) was added to the lumen in the presence of amiloride, indicating the absence of any influence of the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter and the parallel Na+/H+, Cl-/HCO3- exchanger. The cell swelling in the CCD was blocked by luminal addition of amiloride alone with no effect from trichlormethiazide. In CNT, when the ouabain-induced cell swelling was prevented by both diuretics, addition of parathyroid hormone (PTH, 3 nM) to the bath induced cell swelling, suggesting that another Na+ entry pathway is newly generated by PTH. These results demonstrate that ouabain-induced cell swelling depends on Na+ entry across the luminal membrane. In the CNT, the pathways include an amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel, thiazide-sensitive Na(+)-Cl- cotransport and a PTH-stimulated Na+ pathway, whereas the CCD has only the amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel.

Regulation of Cl-/HCO3- exchange in the rabbit cortical collecting tubule

Cl-/HCO3- exchange is present in all three cell types of the rabbit cortical collecting tubule, yet may mediate a different function in each cell type. The purpose of this study was to characterize further the location, function, and regulation of Cl-/HCO3- exchange in two cell types using measurements of intracellular pH (pHi). In the principal cell there was no evidence for apical Cl-/HCO3- exchange, including no change in pHi with increases in luminal HCO3-. The principal cell possesses a basolateral Cl-/HCO3- exchanger that is inactive normally but stimulated by intracellular alkalosis. Decreased PCO2 results in increased pHi associated with activation of Cl-/HCO3- exchange and partial recovery of pHi. In contrast, the beta-intercalated cell possesses an apical Cl-/HCO3- exchanger and alkalinizes with increases in luminal HCO3-. Also in contrast to the principal cell, the beta-intercalated cell apical Cl-/HCO3- exchanger does not appear to be involved in pHi regulation and may be specifically modified for transcellular HCO3- transport. In conclusion, the separate Cl-/HCO3- exchangers in the principal cell and the beta-intercalated cell not only have opposite polarity but are regulated differently.

Principal cells of cortical collecting ducts of the rat are not a route of transepithelial Cl- transport

The rat cortical collecting duct (CCD) exhibits high rates of NaCl reabsorption when stimulated by mineralocorticoid and antidiuretic hormone (ADH). The present study was undertaken to determine if there is significant transcellular Cl- movement across the principal cells of the rat CCD. CCDs were dissected from kidneys of rats that had been injected with deoxycorticosterone (5 mg, i.m.) 2-9 days prior to the experiment. The ducts were perfused in vitro with identical perfusing and bathing solutions, except that 200 pmol.l-1 ADH was added to the bathing solutions. The basolateral membrane voltage (PDbl) of principal cells was -77 +/- 1 mV and the luminal membrane voltage (PD1) was -68 +/- 1 mV (mean +/- SEM, n = 124). Separate impalements with single-barrelled Cl(-)-selective microelectrodes gave an apparent intracellular Cl- activity of principal cells of 17 +/- 2 mmol.l-1. Transepithelial PD and PDbl were unaffected by luminal furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide (HCT), 4-acetamido-4-isothiocyanostilbene2,2-disulphonic acid, (SITS), or the Cl- channel blocker 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB); bath addition of SITS or the Cl- channel blocker diphenylamino-2-carboxylic acid; or replacement of bath HCO3- by Cl-. The intracellular Cl- activity (a(cell)Cl) also remained unchanged with the addition of HCT, SITS or the Cl- channel blockers to either the perfusing or bathing solutions, or with replacement of the bathing solution HCO3-.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

K(+)-induced swelling of vestibular dark cells is dependent on Na+ and Cl- and inhibited by piretanide

Epithelial cell height was measured in order to estimate the cell volume of dark cells from the ampullae of the semicircular canal of the gerbil. Under control conditions, addition of 10(-4) mol/l piretanide, 10(-5) mol/l 5-nitro-2(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB), 5 mmol/l barium or 10(-3) mol/l quinidine had no significant effect on cell height. Addition of 10(-4) mol/l NPPB or 10(-3) mol/l ouabain led to a small significant decrease in cell height which was not reversible. Substitution of Na+ by N-methyl-D-glucamine or of Cl- by gluconate led to a significant and reversible reduction in cell height. Isotonic elevation of [K+] from 3.6 to 25 mmol/l in a PO4-buffered, HCO3-free solution led to an increase in cell height from 5.8 +/- 0.1 (SEM) to 8.7 +/- 0.2 microns (n = 62) during the first 40 s. During prolonged exposure to elevated [K+] (3-5 min; n = 19), some tissue samples underwent a regulatory volume decrease. K(+)-induced swelling was absent in both isotonic Cl(-)-free and isotonic Na(+)-free solutions and was inhibited by the loop diuretic piretanide (10(-5) and 10(-4) mol/l) or by the (Na+ + K+) ATPase inhibitor ouabain (10(-3) mol/l) or by 10(-4) mol/l NPPB. After the removal of ouabain or 10(-4) mol/l NPPB, K(+)-induced swelling under control conditions was enhanced and was less reversible as compared to control conditions before the experiment. K(+)-induced swelling was not altered by NPPB (10(-5) mol/l) or barium (5 mmol/l); however, barium slowed shrinking upon return of [K+] to control level. In the presence of 10(-3) mol/l quinidine, K(+)-induced swelling was enhanced and not reversible. These data suggest that dark cells from the semicircular canal possess an Na+2Cl-K+ cotransporter as a solute uptake mechanism and a solute efflux mechanism which is sensitive to barium and inhibited by quinidine.

Sodium entry routes in principal and intercalated cells of the isolated perfused cortical collecting duct

Transmembrane sodium transport pathways were studied in principal and intercalated cells of the isolated perfused rabbit cortical collecting duct. Intracellular electrolyte concentrations in individual collecting duct cells were measured by electron microprobe analysis during blockage of basolateral Na-K-ATPase by ouabain and simultaneous inhibition of sodium entry across the apical and/or basolateral cell membrane. In principal cells the ouabain-induced rise in cell sodium concentration could only partially be blocked by amiloride (10(-4) mol/l) in the perfusion fluid. Amiloride (10(-3) mol/l) added to the bathing solution produced a further, significant reduction of sodium influx. In principal cells the ouabain-induced increase in sodium concentration was completely prevented by amiloride in the perfusion solution in combination with omission of sodium from the peritubular bathing solution. In intercalated cells ouabain caused a less pronounced increase in sodium concentration than in principal cells. Neither amiloride in the perfusate, nor amiloride in both bathing and perfusion solution, significantly reduced the ouabain-induced rise in intercalated cell sodium concentration. These results indicate that in principal cells amiloride-sensitive sodium channels constitute the predominant pathway for sodium entry across the apical cell membrane. In addition, substantial amounts of sodium enter principal cells across the basolateral cell membrane, probably via Na-H exchange. Finally, the data suggest that in intercalated cells sodium channels and the Na-H exchange are sparse or even absent.

Regulation of intracellular pH in the rabbit cortical collecting tubule

The cortical collecting tubule (CCT) is an important nephron segment for Na+, K+, water and acid-base transport. Differential loading characteristics of the pH sensitive dye 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(and-6)carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) and basolateral Cl- removal were used to identify and study intracellular pH (pHi) regulation in each of three cell types involved in this transport. Both principal cells and beta-intercalated cells were found to have a basolateral Na+/H+ exchanger based on the Na+ and amiloride sensitivity of pHi recovery from acid loads. Intercalated cells demonstrated abrupt pHi changes with basolateral Cl- removal. alpha-intercalated cells alkalinized; beta-intercalated cells acidified. In the beta-intercalated cells, luminal Cl- removal blocked changes in pHi in response to changes in luminal HCO3- or peritubular Cl-, providing direct evidence for a luminal Cl-/HCO3- exchanger. In principal cells, brief removal of either peritubular or luminal Cl- resulted in no change in pHi; however, return of peritubular Cl- after prolonged removal resulted in a rapid fall in pHi consistent with a basolateral Cl-/HCO3- exchanger, which may be relatively inactive under baseline conditions. Therefore, Cl-/HCO3- exchange is present in all three cell types but varies in location and activity.