Effects of acetylcholine and caerulein on 86Rb+ efflux in the mouse pancreas. Evidence for a sodium-potassium-chloride cotransport system

Changes in element concentrations induced by agonist in pig pancreatic acinar cells

Changes in electrolytes of pig pancreatic acinar cells following application of gastrin-cholecystokinin (CCK) were investigated using the technique of X-ray microanalysis of hydrated and dehydrated sections of freshly frozen pancreas. After stimulation by CCK (10(-9) M), Na and Cl increased significantly in the cytoplasm [Na, from 10 mmol/kg wet wt. (48 mmol/kg dry wt.) to 19 mmol/kg (95 mmol/kg); Cl, from 22 mmol/kg (105 mmol/kg) to 49 mmol/kg (245 mmol/kg)] as well as in the luminal interspace [Na, from 53 mmol/kg (189 mmol/kg) to 65 mmol/kg (283 mmol/kg); Cl, from 65 mmol/kg (232 mmol/kg) to 102 mmol/kg (443 mmol/kg)]. In the secretory granules Cl increased significantly from 30 mmol/kg (86 mmol/kg) to 67 mmol/kg (203 mmol/kg). K decreased significantly from 120 mmol/kg (571 mmol/kg) to 81 mmol/kg (405 mmol/kg) in the cytoplasm, while both increased from 38 mmol/kg (109 mmol/kg) to 58 mmol/kg (176 mmol/kg) in the granules and from 46 mmol/kg (164 mmol/kg) to 48 mmol/kg (209 mmol/kg) in the luminal interspace. Ca increased significantly in the cytoplasm as well as in the luminal interspace, and decreased significantly in the secretory granules. CCK evoked Ca release from secretory granules in the secretory pole of acinar cells. The values were measured from dehydrated sections, and agreed well with those from hydrated sections. The effect of furosemide, an inhibitor of the Na+-K+-2Cl- co-transporter, on the ion transport of acinar cell was studied. When furosemide (10(-5) M) was added to the external solution, the cytoplasmic Cl and Ca concentrations decreased significantly, while there was a little decrease in Na and K concentrations under the secretory condition. These results indicate that Na+-K+-2Cl- co-transport, and Na+, Cl- and K+ exits into the lumen are involved in the mechanism of ion secretion in pig pancreatic acinar cells.

Na+, K+, and Cl- transport in resting pancreatic acinar cells

To understand the role of Na+, K+, and Cl- transporters in fluid and electrolyte secretion by pancreatic acinar cells, we studied the relationship between them in resting and stimulated cells. Measurements of [Cl-]i in resting cells showed that in HCO3(-)-buffered medium [Cl-]i and Cl- fluxes are dominated by the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger. In the absence of HCO3-, [Cl-]i is regulated by NaCl and NaK2Cl cotransport systems. Measurements of [Na+]i showed that the Na(+)-coupled Cl- transporters contributed to the regulation of [Na+]i, but the major Na+ influx pathway in resting pancreatic acinar cells is the Na+/H+ exchanger. 86Rb influx measurements revealed that > 95% of K+ influx is mediated by the Na+ pump and the NaK2Cl cotransporter. In resting cells, the two transporters appear to be coupled through [K+]i in that inhibition of either transporter had small effect on 86Rb uptake, but inhibition of both transporters largely prevented 86Rb uptake. Another form of coupling occurs between the Na+ influx transporters and the Na+ pump. Thus, inhibition of NaK2Cl cotransport increased Na+ influx by the Na+/H+ exchanger to fuel the Na+ pump. Similarly, inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange increased the activity of the NaK2Cl cotransporter. The combined measurements of [Na+]i and 86Rb influx indicate that the Na+/H+ exchanger contributes twice more than the NaK2Cl cotransporter and three times more than the NaCl cotransporter and a tetraethylammonium-sensitive channel to Na+ influx in resting cells. These findings were used to develop a model for the relationship between the transporters in resting pancreatic acinar cells.

Cl- and K+ transport in human biliary cell lines

BACKGROUND

The cellular mechanisms which contribute to billing secretion and absorption are not fully defined. The purpose of these studies was to evaluate the membrane ion transport properties of Mz-ChA-1 and Sk-ChA-1 cell lines derived from human biliary tumors.

METHODS

In cultured cells, 125I and 36Cl efflux rates were used to assess membrane anion permeability, and 86Rb efflux rates were used to assess K+ permeability.

RESULTS

Sections of tumors grown on BALB/Urd mice were used for morphological evaluation and for detection of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), the protein product of the cystic fibrosis gene. There was organized development of ductular structures and cells stained for gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and CK-19. Immunoperoxidase staining for CFTR, which is likely a Cl- channel, was also present. Increases in intracellular Ca2+ stimulated by exposure to ionomycin or thapsigargin increased efflux of 125I, 36Cl, and 86Rb. Efflux of 125I was greater than 36Cl, and anion efflux was inhibited by the Cl- channel blocker 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid. Increases in 5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate increased efflux of 36Cl greater than 125I but had no effect on 86Rb efflux. Both cell lines possess bumetanide-sensitive 86Rb uptake consistent with possible Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransport.

CONCLUSIONS

These human cell lines retain certain phenotypic features of differentiated biliary cells and may be useful for further investigation of biliary fluid and electrolyte transport.

Effects of chloride deficiency on the pancreatic B-cell response to acetylcholine

Muscarinic stimulation of pancreatic B-cells markedly amplifies insulin secretion through complex mechanisms which involve changes in membrane potential and ionic fluxes. In this study, normal mouse islets were used to evaluate the role of Cl- ions in these effects of acetylcholine (ACh). Whatever the concentration of glucose, the rate of 36Cl- efflux from islet cells was unaffected by ACh. Replacement of Cl- by impermeant isethionate in a medium containing 15 mM glucose did not affect, or only slightly decreased, the ability of ACh to depolarize the B-cell membrane and increase electrical activity, to accelerate 45Ca2+ and 86Rb+ efflux from islet cells, and to amplify insulin release. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, a high concentration of ACh (100 microM) mobilized intracellular Ca2+ and caused a transient release of insulin and a sustained acceleration of 86Rb+ efflux. None of these effects was affected by Cl- omission or by addition of furosemide, a blocker of the Na+, K+, 2Cl- cotransport. Isethionate substitution for Cl- in a medium containing a nonstimulatory concentration of glucose (3 mM) barely reduced the depolarization of B-cells by ACh, but inhibited the concomitant increase in 86Rb+ efflux. We have no explanation for the latter effect that was not mimicked by furosemide. In conclusion, ACh stimulation of pancreatic B-cells, unlike that of exocrine acinar cells, is largely independent of Cl- and is insensitive to furosemide. The acceleration of ionic fluxes produced by ACh does not involve the Na+, K+, 2Cl- cotransport system.

Potassium (86Rb+) efflux from the rat submandibular gland under sodium-free conditions in vitro

1. Fragments of rat submandibular gland were pre-loaded with 86Rb+, an isotopic marker of potassium transport, and rate constants for 86Rb+ efflux were determined during superfusion with a physiological salt solution. 2. In sodium-containing solutions acetylcholine evoked a rapid and immediate increase in efflux rate. After reaching a peak value, the efflux rate initially declined rapidly, but a second, slowly declining phase to the response was also evident. The response could be resolved into Ca2(+)-independent and Ca2(+)-dependent phases. 3. The basal efflux rate was elevated during superfusion with solutions in which sodium had been replaced with either lithium or N-methyl-D-glucammonium (NMDG+). Although lithium had a greater effect, which was absent under calcium-free conditions, addition of calcium to initially calcium-free, lithium-containing solutions did not affect the rate of efflux. 4. In the presence of calcium the response to acetylcholine was augmented during exposure to lithium-containing, sodium-free solutions but, in contrast, slightly inhibited when NMDG+ was used as a sodium substituent. 5. The transient, calcium-independent component of the response to acetylcholine was unaffected by exposure to lithium, whereas the calcium-dependent phase of the response was inhibited. 6. Responsiveness to acetylcholine was reduced during superfusion with a calcium-free, NMDG+-containing solution. The response normally observed when extracellular Ca2+ was subsequently elevated, in the continued presence of acetylcholine, was also inhibited. Sensitivity to acetylcholine was retained, however, when the tissue was initially exposed to a solution containing approximately 20 mumol l-1 Ca2+. The response was smaller than that evoked in sodium-containing solutions. 7. The use of lithium as a sodium substituent presents special problems, possibly related to the effects of this ion on the metabolic cycling of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate metabolites.

ATP-dependent and DCCD-insensitive Cl- uptake by membrane vesicles from the rat brain plasma membrane fractions

ATP-dependent Cl- uptake by membrane vesicles from the rat brain plasma membrane fractions was not affected by the addition of 40 mM of K+, Na+ or HCO3- to the assay medium. Na+ and K+ did not alter the uptake even in the presence of a K+ ionophore, valinomycin (10 microM), or a H+/K+ exchanger, nigericin (10 microM), whereas in the presence of both of these ionophores, K+, but not Na+, reduced the Cl- uptake. Inhibitors of proton pump activity, N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (1 mM) and 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride (40 microM), however, did not affect the Cl- uptake. These findings suggest the presence of a primary Cl- transport system probably associated with passive H+ flux in the brain plasma membranes.

The Na-K-Cl cotransport in essential hypertension: cellular functions and genetic environment interactions

The present paper examines factors involved in the expression of the Na-K-Cl cotransport system present in erythrocytes and in vascular cells. This transport system is modulated by vasoactive peptides such as atrial natriuretic factor and bradykinin in vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells. The Vmax of the Na-K-Cl in human red cells displays large interindividual differences which can be mainly accounted for by genetic factors. Elevation of the Km for Na of the outward Na cotransport is found in red cells of some Caucasian hypertensives and in Black normotensives born of hypertensive parents whose blood pressure increases with salt loading. Reduction of Na intake from 200 to 10 mEq/day does not influence the activity of the cotransport in normotensive individuals but decreases the Km for Na of hypertensive subjects to values similar to those of the normotensives. These findings indicate that the Na-K-Cl cotransport is an important probe of genetic and environmental factors in the hypertensive process.

ATP-dependent Cl- uptake by plasma membrane vesicles from the rat brain

Uptake of Cl- by plasma membrane vesicles from the rat brain was stimulated by ATP at 37 degrees C, but not by beta, gamma-methylene ATP or at 0 degrees C. The addition of Triton X-100 or sucrose to the incubation medium diminished the ATP-stimulated Cl- uptake, suggesting that Cl- was transported across the membranes into the intravesicular space. This ATP-stimulated Cl- uptake was not affected by 1 mM ouabain. 1 microM oligomycin, 0.1 mM gamma-aminobutyric acid or 0.1 mM picrotoxin. Thus, non-mitochondrial ATP-driven Cl- transport through a system other than Na, K-ATPase or Cl- channels occurs in neuronal plasma membrane vesicles.

Sodium cotransport systems in epithelial secretion

1. After considering the direct coupling and indirect coupling to the sodium gradient in sodium-dependent secretion across epithelia, the properties of the Na-K-Cl cotransporter involved in active chloride secretion and active chloride absorption are summarized. 2. A comparison between cellular mechanism of secretion and absorption shows that the direction of transepithelial transport is determined mainly by the intracellular localization of sodium cotransport systems and sodium-independent leaks. 3. Sodium cotransport systems, performing a similar function in various epithelia or species, may provide a powerful model to study their function at a molecular level.

Characteristics and functions of Na-K-Cl cotransport in epithelial tissues

This review summarizes our present understanding of Na-K-Cl cotransport and its physiological role in absorption and secretion of electrolytes and water in epithelial tissues. In the past several years an extensive literature about this cotransporter has developed due to its widespread distribution in a variety of cell types and its essential role in fluid and electrolyte transport in several epithelial tissues. We summarize this literature and speculate on the future characterization of this transport system. Although this review focuses on cotransport as it relates to absorptive and secretory processes in epithelia, important information concerning the pharmacology, stoichiometry, and regulation of Na-K-Cl cotransport in nonepithelial systems (i.e., erythrocytes, fibroblasts, squid axon, etc.) has been included to supplement areas that are less well established in the epithelial literature.

The anion specificity of the sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter in rabbit kidney outer medulla: studies on medullary plasma membranes

Plasma membrane vesicles were isolated from rabbit kidney outer medulla and employed in sodium, rubidium, and chloride flux studies. Chloride dependence and bumetanide sensitivity of (part of) the sodium and rubidium flux indicate that this plasma membrane fraction can be used to study the properties of Na-K-2Cl cotransport system present in the luminal membrane of the medullary thick ascending limb. The anion specificity of the cotransporter was investigated by determining the effect of anion replacement on sodium fluxes. When chloride was completely replaced by bromide, iodide, nitrate, or thiocyanate only bromide could effectively substitute for chloride (90% activity), whereas sodium uptake in the presence of iodide, nitrate, and thiocyanate amounted to only 25% of the sodium uptake observed in the presence of chloride. When similar replacement experiments were performed in the presence of 10 mmol/l chloride, bromide could substitute for chloride by 110%, iodide and nitrate by 60%, and thiocyanate by 70%. In the presence of 10 mmol/l bromide iodide, nitrate, and thiocyanate were similarly effective. The effect of nitrate and chloride on sodium flux was additive. Bumetanide-sensitive chloride uptake was inhibited by nitrate, the inhibition was however only partly, amounting to 60%. The results obtained are compatible with the view that the two anion binding sites of the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter can exhibit a different substrate specificity and that the transporter in addition to a 2Cl mode can also operate in a 2Br, Cl-, A- and Br-, A- mode, A- representing iodide, nitrate, or thiocyanate.

Blockage of Ca-activated Cl conductance by furosemide in rat lacrimal glands

Single cells isolated from rat lacrimal glands were studied with the tight-seal whole-cell recording technique. It was found that furosemide (1 mM, applied externally) selectively blocked one part of the electrical response elicited by muscarinic agonists. This component of the response had been shown in a previous work (Marty et al. 1984) to be due to Ca-dependent Cl channels. The action of furosemide was further studied on cells which were dialysed with a high-Ca, high-Na solution, and which mainly displayed the Ca-dependent Cl conductance. In these experiments, furosemide (1 mM) was again found to depress the Ca-dependent Cl current. The present findings offer an explanation for previous reports that furosemide blocks ion fluxes and electrolyte secretion in exocrine glands without necessarily involving the neutral Na-K-Cl carrier usually assumed to be affected by the drug.

36Cl- and 86Rb+ uptake in rat parotid acinar cells

36Cl- uptake was markedly (85 per cent) inhibited by the loop diuretics, furosemide and bumetanide. Partial replacement of Na+ in the incubation medium (from 137 to 5 mM) reduced 36Cl- uptake 30 per cent; total replacement reduced uptake to 40-45 per cent of control values. Partial replacement of K+ (from 5.8 to 1 mM) decreased 36Cl- uptake approx. 45 per cent; complete replacement resulted in minimal levels of 36Cl- uptake (less than 10 per cent of controls). Ouabain reduced 36Cl- uptake approx. 55 per cent in the absence of bumetanide, but was without effect in its presence. 86Rb+ uptake was reduced approx. 85 per cent with bumetanide; complete replacement of Cl- with I- or gluconate-, decreased 86Rb+ uptake by 55 or 40 per cent respectively. The results support the notion that the bulk of Cl- influx in rat parotid acinar cells is via a loop diuretic-sensitive Na+/K+/Cl- co-transport mechanism as may occur in other secretory epithelia.

Acetylcholine-evoked potassium release in the mouse pancreas

Mouse pancreatic segments were superfused with physiological saline solutions and the K+ concentration in the effluent was measured by flame photometry. Acetylcholine (ACh) evoked a dose-dependent and transient increase in the K+ concentration in the effluent (K+ release). The removal of calcium (Ca2+) from the superfusing solution and addition of 10(-4) M-EGTA (ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-amino-ethylether)N,N'-tetraacetic acid) caused a significant reduction in the ACh-elicited K+ outflow. Pre-treatment of pancreatic segments with the 'loop diuretics' (furosemide, piretanide and bumetanide; all 10(-4) M) resulted in uptake of K+ into the tissue segments. The diuretics also caused a marked reduction in the ACh-induced K+ release. Replacement of chloride (Cl-) in the physiological salt solution by nitrate (NO3-), sulphate (SO42-) or iodide (I-) caused K+ uptake and a significant reduction in the ACh-evoked K+ release. However, when Cl- was replaced by bromide (Br-) the response to ACh was virtually unaffected. When sodium (Na+) was replaced by lithium (Li+) ACh did not evoke K+ release but instead K+ uptake was observed. However, when Tris+ was substituted for Na+ ACh evoked a very small K+ release. Pre-treatment of pancreatic segments with 10(-3) M-ouabain resulted in a marked sustained K+ release. In the continuing presence of ouabain ACh induced a further increase in K+ outflow. Pre-treatment of the preparation with 10 mM-tetraethyl-ammonium (TEA) caused a small transient increase in K+ efflux, but TEA had virtually no effect on the secretagogue-evoked changes in effluent K+ concentration. The results suggest the presence of a diuretic-sensitive Na+-K+-Cl- co-transport system in the mouse pancreatic acinar membrane.

X-ray microanalysis of resting and stimulated rat pancreas

The elemental distribution in acinar cells of rat pancreas was investigated by X-ray microanalysis of thin, freeze-dried cryosections. In the resting cell, the highest calcium concentrations were found in the basal part of the cell (including the endoplasmic reticulum) and in the zymogen granules. Mitochondrial calcium concentrations were low. Zymogen granules were rich in sulphur, but low in phosphorus, sodium and potassium. Stimulation of the pancreas by perfusion in vivo with the cholinergic agonist carbachol caused a significant decrease of the calcium concentration in the basal part of the cell and an increase in the calcium concentration in the apical part of the cell. The mitochondrial calcium concentration was not significantly altered. In addition, increased sodium and decreased potassium concentrations, giving rise to a significant increase in Na/K ratio were observed in all cell compartments measured, except in the zymogen granules.

L-Alanine and L-phenylalanine activate Na+ and K+ conductance pathways in the exocrine mouse pancreas

The effects of some amino acids, L-alanine, L-phenylalanine, DL-alanine, D-alanine and beta-alanine on membrane potential, membrane current, amylase secretion and 45Ca and 86Rb fractional efflux in isolated mouse pancreatic segments were investigated. A two microelectrode voltage clamp technique was applied to study the effects of the amino acids on membrane current. The amino acids evoked dose-dependent (0.05-0.5 mmole) and reversible membrane depolarization and increases in membrane current. The relative potencies of the actions of the amino acids were: L-alanine greater than DL-alanine greater than L-phenylalanine greater than D-alanine greater than beta-alanine. A more detailed study of the action of L-alanine showed that the relationship between the L-alanine-evoked membrane current and membrane potential was virtually linear with reversal of current polarity being observed at a membrane potential of about +30 mV. While the L-alanine-induced increase in membrane conductance was dose-dependent, the reversal potential (EL-ala) was independent of the L-alanine concentration used. Replacement of the normal Na-rich superfusion fluid by a low Na solution (5 mM) markedly reduced the L-alanine-elicited inward current at the normal resting potential. The L-alanine-evoked conductance increase was also reduced in low Na solution and the EL-ala was close to O mV. During the exposure of pancreatic segments to C1 free solution (sulphate substitution) EL-ala was about 12 mV more positive (+ 43.7 +/- 0.8 mV) than during exposure to control solution (+ 31.5 +/- 1.0 mV).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)