On the mechanisms of ATP-induced and succinate-induced redistribution of cations in isolated rat liver cells

Purinergic signalling in the liver in health and disease

Purinergic signalling is involved in both the physiology and pathophysiology of the liver. Hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, stellate cells and cholangiocytes all express purinoceptor subtypes activated by adenosine, adenosine 5'-triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, uridine 5'-triphosphate or UDP. Purinoceptors mediate bile secretion, glycogen and lipid metabolism and indirectly release of insulin. Mechanical stress results in release of ATP from hepatocytes and Kupffer cells and ATP is also released as a cotransmitter with noradrenaline from sympathetic nerves supplying the liver. Ecto-nucleotidases play important roles in the signalling process. Changes in purinergic signalling occur in vascular injury, inflammation, insulin resistance, hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, diabetes, hepatitis, liver regeneration following injury or transplantation and cancer. Purinergic therapeutic strategies for the treatment of these pathologies are being explored.

Stimulation of hepatocyte glycerolipid synthesis by iron/ADP is due to ADP rather than oxidative stress

ADP-complexed Fe3+ has been used in various in vitro systems and in intact cells to induce lipid peroxidation. During studies on the effects of oxidative stress on lipid metabolism we observed a significant increase in de novo glycerolipid synthesis in Fe3+/ADP-treated rat hepatocytes as evidenced by increased [U-14C]glycerol incorporation. Here we show that this increase, largely due to enhanced triacylglycerol synthesis, is caused by ADP rather than Fe3+/ADP-induced oxidative stress. Hence, metabolic alterations due to treatment of intact cells by Fe3+/ADP must be interpreted with caution.

The ATP4− receptor-operated ion channel of human lymphocytes: Inhibition of ion fluxes by amiloride analogs and by extracellular sodium ions

Extracellular ATP is known to increase the membrane permeability of a variety of cells. Addition of ATP to human leukemic lymphocytes loaded with the Ca2+ indicator, fura-2, induced a rise in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration which was attenuated or absent in NaCl media compared with KCl, choline Cl, or NMG Cl media. In contrast, anti-immunoglobulin antibody gave similar Ca2+ transients in NaCl and KCl media. A half-maximal inhibition of peak ATP-induced Ca2+ response was observed at 10-16 mM extracellular Na+. Basal 45Ca2+ influx into lymphocytes was stimulated 9.6-fold by ATP added to cells in KCl media, but the effect of ATP was greatly reduced for cells in NaCl media. Hexamethylene amiloride blocked 74% of the ATP-stimulated Ca45 uptake of cells in KCl media. Flow cytometry measurements of fluo-3-loaded cells confirmed that the ATP-induced rise in cytosolic Ca2+ was inhibited either by extracellular Na+ or by addition of hexamethylene amiloride. Extracellular ATP stimulated 86Rb efflux from lymphocytes 10-fold and this increment was inhibited by the amiloride analogs in a rank order of potency 5-(N-methyl-N-isobutyl)amiloride greater than 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride greater than 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride greater than amiloride. ATP-induced 86Rb efflux showed a sigmoid dependence on the concentration of ATP and Hill analysis gave K1/2 of 90 and 130 microM and n values of 2.5 and 2.5 for KCl and NaCl media, respectively. However, the maximal ATP-induced 86Rb efflux was 3-fold greater in KCl than in NaCl media. Raising extracellular Na+ from 10 to 100 mM increased ATP-induced Na+ influx from a mean of 2.0 to 3.7 nEq/10(7) cells/min, suggesting either saturability or self-inhibition by Na+ of its own influx. These data suggest that ATP opens a receptor-operated ion channel which allows increased Ca2+ and Na+ influx and Rb+ efflux and these fluxes are inhibited by extracellular Na+ ions as well as by the amiloride analogs.

The maintenance of cytochrome P-450 in rat hepatocyte culture: some applications of liver cell cultures to the study of drug metabolism, toxicity and the induction of the P-450 system

Treatments affecting the loss of cytochrome P-450 in rat hepatocyte culture are reviewed and the way in which these have produced an understanding of the mechanisms involved are discussed extensively. A simple way to prevent the loss of P-450 in hepatocytes is to culture them with 0.5 mM metyrapone which appears to restore the cytochromes' synthesis and degradation to steady state values. Knowledge of this mechanism has led to the formulation of special culture medium and the application of both culture systems to the study of drug metabolism and toxicity are described. Finally the effect of these culture systems on the expression of the multiple forms of cytochrome P-450 are presented to illustrate the potential of cultured hepatocytes in induction studies.

Extracellular ATP mobilizes intracellular Ca2+ in T51B rat liver epithelial cells: a study involving single cell measurements

T51B rat liver epithelial cells were stimulated with extracellular ATP. Changes in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) were measured by fura-2 both in a large population of cells on coverslips in a cuvette and in single cells in a microscopic system. Extracellular ATP evoked a prompt increase in [Ca2+]i in both the presence and absence of extracellular Ca2+, although the effect was less pronounced in the latter case. These findings indicate that at least part of the [Ca2+]i increase is due to mobilization of intracellularly bound calcium. Stimulation with ATP did not mobilize the total pool of intracellular releasable Ca2+, as evidenced from experiments where subsequent addition of ionomycin evoked a pronounced increase in [Ca2+]i in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. The effect of ATP was maintained at room temperature but was markedly impaired in the absence of continuous stirring of the buffer solution. In the absence of stirring, ATP had to be increased to the millimolar range in order to evoke a pronounced effect. Single cell measurements revealed a heterogenous Ca2+ response to ATP, with some cells failing to respond with a detectable increase in [Ca2+]i. The actual increase in [Ca2+]i was not uniform throughout the cytoplasm, but seemed to start in one part of the cell. Even if part of the [Ca2+]i increase might be accounted for by ATP promoting the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and thereby a generation of InsP3 and diacylglycerol, there was no initiation of DNA synthesis under the present conditions. Hence, extracellular growth factors exert either a quantitative difference in second messenger production or additional stimulatory effects by activating intracellular signal pathways beyond these represented by [Ca2+]i and protein kinase C.

Hepatocyte heterogeneity in response to extracellular ATP

1. The metabolic and hemodynamic effects of extracellular ATP in perfused rat liver were compared during physiologically antegrade (portal to hepatic vein) and retrograde (hepatic to portal vein) perfusion. ATP in concentrations up to 100 microM was completely hydrolyzed during a single liver passage regardless of the perfusion direction. 2. The ATP(20 microM)-induced increases of glucose output, perfusion pressure and ammonium ion release seen during antegrade perfusions were diminished by 85-95% when the perfusion was in the retrograde direction, whereas the amount of Ca2+ mobilized from the liver was decreased by only 60%. The maximal rate of initial K+ uptake following ATP was dependent on the amount of Ca2+ mobilized regardless of the direction of perfusion. In the presence of UMP (1 mM), an inhibitor of ATP hydrolysis by membrane-bound nucleotide pyrophosphatase, the effect of the direction of perfusion on the glycogenolytic response to ATP (20 microM) was largely diminished. 3. For a maximal response of glucose output, Ca2+ release and perfusion pressure to extracellular ATP, concentrations of about 20 microM, 50 microM and 100 microM were required during antegrade perfusion, respectively. These maximal responses could also be obtained during retrograde perfusion, but higher ATP concentrations were required (120 microM, 80 microM, above 200 microM, respectively). 4. 14CO2 production from [1-14C]glutamate which occurs predominantly in the perivenous hepatocytes capable of glutamine synthesis was stimulated by extracellular ATP (20 microM); it was only slightly affected by the direction of perfusion. In antegrade perfusions, ATP (20 microM) increased 14CO2 production from 88 to 162 nmol g-1 min-1, compared to an increase from 91 to 148 nmol g-1 min-1 in retrograde perfusion. 5. The data are interpreted to suggest that (a) extracellular ATP is predominantly hydrolyzed by a small hepatocyte population located at the perivenous outflow of the acinus; (b) glycogenolysis to glucose is predominantly localized in the periportal area; (c) contractile elements (sphincters) exist near the inflow of the sinusoidal bed; (d) a considerable portion of the Ca2+ mobilized by ATP is derived from liver cells that do not contribute to hepatic glucose output.

Actions of extracellular UTP and ATP in perfused rat liver. A comparative study

1. In perfused rat liver infusion of UTP and ATP in micromolar concentrations increased the portal pressure, with UTP being three times more effective than ATP at concentrations below 50 microM. Whereas ATP (up to 100 microM) increased oxygen consumption, there was a dose-dependent inhibition of oxygen uptake by UTP. 2. Both nucleotides stimulated hepatic glucose output; however, the time-courses were different. Withdrawal of UTP, but not of ATP (up to 100 microM) caused a further transient, but substantial stimulation of glucose output. 3. ATP led to a transient net K+ uptake by the liver being followed by a K+-release phase. Similar changes were observed with UTP; however, the initial K+ uptake was prolonged compared to ATP (1.9 min versus 3.5 min) and withdrawal of UTP, but not of ATP, stimulated hepatic K+ release markedly. 4. Metabolic and hemodynamic effects comparable to those induced by ATP were obtained with beta- and gamma-thio substituted ATP, whereas beta,gamma-methylene-substituted ATP was much less effective. The characteristic effects of UTP on glucose output, portal pressure and K+ fluxes were preserved during constant infusion of ATP or its beta,gamma-methylene derivative, pointing to additive effects. 5. ATP (20 microM) led to a net Ca2+ release (50-60 nmol/g liver) within 2-3 min. When the extracellular Ca2+ concentration was lowered from 1.25 mM to 0.3 mM, this Ca2+ release was increased to about 110 nmol/g liver whereby its time course remained largely unchanged. With 1.25 mM Ca2+, UTP induced Ca2+ movements only near the detection level (i.e. below 10-20 nmol/g liver); however, with 0.3 mM Ca2+ in influent perfusate, there was a slow Ca2+ release (not completed within 5-6 min). The maximal rates of Ca2+ efflux following ATP and UTP (20 microM each) were 70 nmol and 30 nmol g-1 min-1. Withdrawal of UTP led to a short Ca2+ release superimposing a phase of net Ca2+ uptake. 6. The data show that extracellular UTP is a potential and effective regulator of hepatic metabolism, ion fluxes across the hepatocyte membrane and hemodynamics. Compared to ATP, UTP seems to be more effective and the responses to both nucleotides are different. The data suggest that the action of UTP could involve a receptor distinct from the purinergic P2 receptor, whereas the ATP action involves predominantly the P2Y purinoceptor subtype.

Exogenous ATP-stimulated calcium uptake in isolated rat intestinal epithelial cells

ATP in the extracellular medium is known to stimulate Ca uptake into avian intestinal epithelial cells. We have now demonstrated a similar effect of ATP in mammalian intestinal epithelial cells and have further characterized this effect. Exogenous ATP increased 45Ca uptake 2-6 fold in isolated rat small intestinal epithelial cells, with a maximal effect at 1 mM and an ED50 of 290 microM. A strict structural requirement for nucleotide-stimulated 45Ca uptake was observed. ADP was much less effective than ATP and gamma-thio-ATP, and 5'-AMP, cyclic AMP, adenosine, non-adenine nucleotides, non-hydrolyzable ATP analogs and ATP analogs with ring substitutions at the 8 position were inactive. Prenylamine (100 microM) completely inhibited ATP-stimulated 45Ca uptake, while verapamil (100 microM) had only a small effect. In the intact intestine, ATP increased short-circuit current (Isc) when added to the mucosal side of the tissue. This effect was reduced by 10 microM and abolished by 100 microM prenylamine. The effect of ATP on Isc was markedly reduced in Cl-free solutions and in reduced-Ca solutions. Serosal and mucosal addition of the nonhydrolyzable ATP analog, beta, gamma-methylene-ATP, and serosal addition of ATP had little or no effect on Isc. The similarities between the effects of ATP in isolated cells and in the intact intestine suggest that the effect of ATP on Isc may be at least partially mediated through stimulation of Ca uptake into the epithelial cells.

Characterization of the liver P2-purinoceptor involved in the activation of glycogen phosphorylase

Evidence has been presented for the existence in rat liver of P2-purinoceptors which are involved in the control of glycogenolysis. Isolated rat hepatocytes and purified liver plasma membranes have been used to study the binding of the ATP analogue adenosine 5'-[alpha- [35S]thio]triphosphate (ATP alpha [35S]) to these postulated P2-purinoceptors. The nucleotide analogue behaves as a full agonist for the activation of glycogen phosphorylase in isolated hepatocytes, 0.3 microM being required for half-maximal activation. Specific binding of ATP alpha [35S] to hepatocytes and plasma membranes occurs within 1 min and is essentially reversible. The analysis of the dose-dependency at equilibrium indicates the presence of binding sites with Kd of 0.23 microM with hepatocytes and Kd of 0.11 microM with plasma membranes. The relative affinities of 10 nucleotide analogues were deduced from competition experiments for ATP alpha [35S] binding to hepatocytes, and these correlated highly with their biological activity (activation of glycogen phosphorylase in hepatocytes). For all the agonists, binding occurs in the same concentration range as the biological effect. These data clearly suggest that the detected binding sites correspond to the physiological P2-purinoceptors involved in the regulation of liver glycogenolysis. The rank order of potency of some ATP analogues suggests that liver possesses the P2Y-subclass of P2-purinoceptors.

Stimulation of glycogenolysis by adenine nucleotides in the perfused rat liver

Infusion of adenine nucleotides and adenosine into perfused rat livers resulted in stimulation of hepatic glycogenolysis, transient increases in the effluent perfusate [3-hydroxybutyrate]/[acetoacetate] ratio, and increased portal vein pressure. In livers perfused with buffer containing 50 microM-Ca2+, transient efflux of Ca2+ was seen on stimulation of the liver with adenine nucleotides or adenosine. ADP was the most potent of the nucleotides, stimulating glucose output at concentrations as low as 0.15 microM, with half-maximal stimulation at approx. 1 microM, and ATP was slightly less potent, half-maximal stimulation requiring 4 microM-ATP. AMP and adenosine were much less effective, doses giving half-maximal stimulation being 40 and 20 microM respectively. Non-hydrolysed ATP analogues were much less effective than ATP in promoting changes in hepatic metabolism. ITP, GTP and GDP caused similar changes in hepatic metabolism to ATP, but were 10-20 times less potent than ATP. In livers perfused at low (7 microM) Ca2+, infusion of phenylephrine before ATP desensitized hepatic responses to ATP. Repeated infusions of ATP in such low-Ca2+-perfused livers caused homologous desensitization of ATP responses, and also desensitized subsequent Ca2+-dependent responses to phenylephrine. A short infusion of Ca2+ (1.25 mM) after phenylephrine infusion restored subsequent responses to ATP, indicating that, during perfusion with buffer containing 7 microM-Ca2+, ATP and phenylephrine deplete the same pool of intracellular Ca2+, which can be rapidly replenished in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. Measurement of cyclic AMP in freeze-clamped liver tissue demonstrated that adenosine (150 microM) significantly increased hepatic cyclic AMP, whereas ATP (15 microM) was without effect. It is concluded that ATP and ADP stimulate hepatic glycogenolysis via P2-purinergic receptors, through a Ca2+-dependent mechanism similar to that in alpha-adrenergic stimulation of hepatic tissue. However, adenosine stimulates glycogenolysis via P1-purinoreceptors and/or uptake into the cell, at least partially through a mechanism involving increase in cyclic AMP. Further, the hepatic response to adenine nucleotides may be significant in regulating hepatic glucose output in physiological and pathophysiological states.

Ca2+ homeostasis and cytotoxicity in isolated hepatocytes: studies with extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate

The incubation of isolated rat hepatocytes with extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) resulted in an inhibition of Ca2+ efflux. The ATP-induced Ca2+ accumulation as determined by the increase in phosphorylase a activity and the Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent indicator (2-[(2-bis-[carboxymethyl]-amino-5-methylphenoxy)-methyl]-6-methoxy-8- bis-[carboxymethyl]aminoquinoline-tetrakis-[acetoxymethyl]ester) (Quin 2-AM) was associated with both the hydrolysis of ATP and the phosphorylation of a 110 kDa protein. No significant alteration in the intracellular ATP level was observed. The appearance of surface blebs and cytotoxicity followed the rise in cytosolic Ca2+, suggesting that the increased free Ca2+ may be responsible for the loss of viability. When a calmodulin inhibitor, 1-[bis(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-3-[ 2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-[(2,4-dichlorophenyl)methoxy] ethyl]-1H- imidazolium chloride (calmidazolium), was included in the medium prior to ATP addition, bleb formation was reduced and the loss of viability was completely prevented, indicating that a Ca2+-calmodulin process may be involved in the initiation of cytotoxicity.

Extracellular ATP activates polyphosphoinositide breakdown and Ca2+ mobilization in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

The effects of extracellular ATP on phosphoinositide metabolism and intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis were studied in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Cytosolic [Ca2+] was measured using either quin 2 or the recently described indicator fura 2. Addition of 0.5-25 microM extracellular ATP to intact cells results in a rapid mobilization of Ca2+ from a nonmitochondrial, intracellular Ca2+ store. Likewise, direct addition of 0.2-2 microM myo-1,4,5-inositol trisphosphate (IP3) to digitonin-permeabilized Ehrlich cells induces a rapid and reversible release of Ca2+ from a nonmitochondrial pool. Under the same conditions which facilitate intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, extracellular ATP also triggers a rapid breakdown of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) and accumulation of IP3. A maximal 18% decrease of the polyphosphoinositide is observed 40-60 s after the addition of 25 microM ATP; within 5 min PtdIns(4,5)P2 returns to or exceeds the original, prestimulus level. These conditions also trigger a rapid accumulation of phosphatidic acid (1.7-fold increase within 5 min). Paralleling these ATP-induced changes in phospholipid levels is a substantial accumulation of the mono-, bis-, and trisphosphate derivatives of inositol; most significantly, a 2-fold increase in the IP3 level is observed within 30 s after ATP addition. These results suggest that in these tumor cells, extracellular ATP elicits changes in phosphoinositide metabolism similar to those produced by a wide variety of Ca2+-mobilizing hormones and growth factors.

Effect of angiotensin II, ATP, and ionophore A23187 on potassium efflux in adrenal glomerulosa cells

Angiotensin II stimulus on perifused bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells elicited an increase in 86Rb efflux from cells previously equilibrated with the radioisotope. When 45Ca fluxes were measured under similar conditions, it was observed that Ca and Rb effluxes occurred within the first 30 s of the addition of the hormone and were independent of the presence of external Ca. The 86Rb efflux due to angiotensin II was inhibited by quinine and apamin. The hypothesis that the angiotensin II response is a consequence of an increase in the K permeability of the glomerulosa cell membrane triggered by an increase in cytosolic Ca is supported by the finding that the divalent cation ionophore A23187 also initiated 86Rb or K loss (as measured by an external K electrode). This increased K conductance was also seen with 10(-4) M ATP. Quinine and apamin greatly reduced the effect of ATP or A23187 on 86Rb or K release in adrenal glomerulosa cells. The results suggest that Ca-dependent K channels or carriers are present in the membranes of bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells and are sensitive to hormonal stimulus.

P2-purinergic control of liver glycogenolysis

Purinergic agonists cause a dose-dependent activation of glycogen phosphorylase in isolated rat hepatocytes. Half-maximally effective concentrations are 5 X 10(-7)M for ATP, 2 X 10(-6)M for ADP, and about 5 X 10(-5) M for AMP and adenosine. This potency series indicates the presence of P2-purinergic receptors. The mode of action of ATP appears to be identical with that of the Ca2+-dependent glycogenolytic hormones angiotensin, vasopressin and alpha 1-adrenergic agonists. (1) They all require Ca2+ for phosphorylase activation; (2) they do not increase cyclic AMP levels; (3) they are susceptible to heterologous desensitization by vasopressin and phenylephrine; (4) they lower cyclic AMP concentrations in hepatocytes stimulated by glucagon, most probably mediated by an enhanced phosphodiesterase activity.

Effects of ATP and adenosine addition on activity of oxoglutarate dehydrogenase and the concentration of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ in rat hepatocytes

Addition of ATP (100 microM) to hepatocytes from starved rats incubated with 5 mM [1-14C]glutamine caused a stimulation of glucose formation; the magnitude of the concomitant increases in 14CO2 production and glutamine consumption indicate that flux from glutamine to glucose was increased. ATP also caused a simultaneous decrease in the cell content of oxoglutarate; together with the increased flux this is consistent with an activation of oxoglutarate dehydrogenase. In corroboration of this, a stimulation by ATP of gluconeogenesis and a decrease in oxoglutarate was also observed with 5 mM proline as substrate. ATP caused an increase in hepatocyte cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]c, as indicated by the increase in the fluorescence of cytoplasmically trapped quin2, from a resting value of about 0.2 microM to greater than 1 microM. The mechanism of oxoglutarate dehydrogenase activation may be via an increase in mitochondrial Ca2+ content as a consequence of the increase in [Ca2+]c. The effects of 100 microM adenosine were also investigated. An increase in flux from glutamine to glucose was observed together with a decrease in the cell oxoglutarate, thus indicating that adenosine addition to hepatocytes could also activate oxoglutarate dehydrogenase. The activation by adenosine was less than that produced by ATP. Adenosine caused a small apparent increase in [Ca2+]c to 0.3-0.4 microM; it remains to be established if this effect, which is small relative to that of ATP, is sufficient to elicit the activation of oxoglutarate dehydrogenase: alternative mechanisms may exist.

Regulation of canalicular bile formation by alpha-adrenergic action and by external ATP in the isolated perfused rat liver

In isolated perfused rat liver, addition of adrenaline induced a complex response of bile flow including rapid, reversible stimulation (1/2-2 min), reversible inhibition (2-10 min), and prolonged stimulation. Both the reversible stimulation and the inhibition were mimicked by the alpha-sympathomimetic agonist phenylephrine but not by the beta-agonist isoproterenol. The reversible stimulation was a very early effect being terminated prior to all other alpha-adrenergic responses of liver. External ATP considerably lowered bile flow while inducing release of glucose and lactate, inhibition of respiration, and a reversible efflux of Ca2+. Variations of mannitol clearance parallel to those of bile flow indicate a canalicular origin of all changes.

Alterations in intracellular calcium compartmentation following inhibition of calcium efflux from isolated hepatocytes

Addition of ATP to the incubation medium of freshly isolated rat hepatocytes causes a marked inhibition of the efflux of Ca2+ from the cells, and its accumulation in intracellular compartments. After an initial rise in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration, as indicated by the activation of phosphorylase, Ca2+ is preferentially sequestered in the mitochondria, without any apparent contribution by the endoplasmic reticulum. Impairment of mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis by pyridine nucleotide oxidation associated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide metabolism, prevents the ATP-dependent cellular Ca2+ accumulation and causes a release of Ca2+ from the hepatocytes into the medium. Conversely, maintenance of the mitochondrial pyridine nucleotides in a more reduced state, e. g. in presence of 3-hydroxybutyrate in the medium, prevents this hydroperoxide-induced release of intracellular Ca2+. Under conditions of impaired mitochondrial Ca2+ sequestration, there appears to be a redistribution of a minor fraction of the intracellular Ca2+ from the mitochondria to the endoplasmic reticulum. Our results provide additional evidence for the critical involvement of the plasma membrane Ca2+-extruding system in the physiological regulation of the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration in hepatocytes, and suggest that the mitochondria play a more important role than the endoplasmic reticulum in the regulation of the cytosolic free Ca2+ level when the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump is inhibited.