Plasma membrane insertion of epithelial sodium channels occurs with dual kinetics

Rapid shear stress-dependent ENaC membrane insertion is mediated by the endothelial glycocalyx and the mineralocorticoid receptor

The contribution of the shear stress-sensitive epithelial Na⁺ channel (ENaC) to the mechanical properties of the endothelial cell surface under (patho)physiological conditions is unclear. This issue was addressed in in vivo and in vitro models for endothelial dysfunction. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were exposed to laminar (LSS) or non-laminar shear stress (NLSS). ENaC membrane insertion was quantified using Quantum-dot-based immunofluorescence staining and the mechanical properties of the cell surface were probed with the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) in vitro and ex vivo in isolated aortae of C57BL/6 and ApoE/LDLR^-/- mice. Flow- and acetylcholine-mediated vasodilation was measured in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging. Acute LSS led to a rapid mineralocorticoid receptor (MR)-dependent membrane insertion of ENaC and subsequent stiffening of the endothelial cortex caused by actin polymerization. Of note, NLSS stress further augmented the cortical stiffness of the cells. These effects strongly depend on the presence of the endothelial glycocalyx (eGC) and could be prevented by functional inhibition of ENaC and MR in vitro endothelial cells and ex vivo endothelial cells derived from C57BL/6, but not ApoE/LDLR^-/- vessel. In vivo In C57BL/6 vessels, ENaC- and MR inhibition blunted flow- and acetylcholine-mediated vasodilation, while in the dysfunctional ApoE/LDLR^-/- vessels, this effect was absent. In conclusion, under physiological conditions, endothelial ENaC, together with the glycocalyx, was identified as an important shear stress sensor and mediator of endothelium-dependent vasodilation. In contrast, in pathophysiological conditions, ENaC-mediated mechanotransduction and endothelium-dependent vasodilation were lost, contributing to sustained endothelial stiffening and dysfunction.

Interactive Actions of Aldosterone and Insulin on Epithelial Na+ Channel Trafficking

Epithelial Na⁺ channel (ENaC) participates in renal epithelial Na⁺ reabsorption, controlling blood pressure. Aldosterone and insulin elevate blood pressure by increasing the ENaC-mediated Na⁺ reabsorption. However, little information is available on the interactive action of aldosterone and insulin on the ENaC-mediated Na⁺ reabsorption. In the present study, we tried to clarify if insulin would modify the aldosterone action on the ENaC-mediated Na⁺ reabsorption from a viewpoint of intracellular ENaC trafficking. We measured the ENaC-mediated Na⁺ transport as short-circuit currents using a four-state mathematical ENaC trafficking model in renal A6 epithelial cells with or without aldosterone treatment under the insulin-stimulated and -unstimulated conditions. We found that: (A) under the insulin-stimulated condition, aldosterone treatment (1 µM for 20 h) significantly elevated the ENaC insertion rate to the apical membrane (kI) 3.3-fold and the ENaC recycling rate (kR) 2.0-fold, but diminished the ENaC degradation rate (kD) 0.7-fold without any significant effect on the ENaC endocytotic rate (kE); (B) under the insulin-unstimulated condition, aldosterone treatment decreased kE 0.5-fold and increased kR 1.4-fold, without any significant effect on kI or kD. Thus, the present study indicates that: (1) insulin masks the well-known inhibitory action of aldosterone on the ENaC endocytotic rate; (2) insulin induces a stimulatory action of aldosterone on ENaC apical insertion and an inhibitory action of aldosterone on ENaC degradation; (3) insulin enhances the aldosterone action on ENaC recycling; (4) insulin has a more effective action on diminution of ENaC endocytosis than aldosterone.

Analysis of CLCNKB mutations at dimer-interface, calcium-binding site, and pore reveals a variety of functional alterations in ClC-Kb channel leading to Bartter syndrome

Pathological missense mutations in CLCNKB gene give a wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes in Bartter syndrome type III patients. Molecular analysis of the mutated ClC-Kb channels can be helpful to classify the mutations according to their functional alteration. We investigated the functional consequences of nine mutations in the CLCNKB gene causing Bartter syndrome. We first established that all tested mutations lead to decreased ClC-Kb currents. Combining electrophysiological and biochemical methods in Xenopus laevis oocytes and in MDCKII cells, we identified three classes of mutations. One class is characterized by altered channel trafficking. p.A210V, p.P216L, p.G424R, and p.G437R are totally or partially retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. p.S218N is characterized by reduced channel insertion at the plasma membrane and altered pH-sensitivity; thus, it falls in the second class of mutations. Finally, we found a novel class of functionally inactivated mutants normally present at the plasma membrane. Indeed, we found that p.A204T alters the pH-sensitivity, p.A254V abolishes the calcium-sensitivity. p.G219C and p.G465R are probably partially inactive at the plasma membrane. In conclusion, most pathogenic mutants accumulate partly or totally in intracellular compartments, but some mutants are normally present at the membrane surface and simultaneously show a large range of altered channel gating properties.

Membrane trafficking pathways regulating the epithelial Na+ channel

Renal Na⁺ reabsorption, facilitated by the epithelial Na⁺ channel (ENaC), is subject to multiple forms of control to ensure optimal body blood volume and pressure through altering both the ENaC population and activity at the cell surface. Here, the focus is on regulating the number of ENaCs present in the apical membrane domain through pathways of ENaC synthesis and targeting to the apical membrane as well as ENaC removal, recycling, and degradation. Finally, the mechanisms by which ENaC trafficking pathways are regulated are summarized.