Sarcolemmal mechanisms for pHi recovery from alkalosis in the guinea-pig ventricular myocyte

Functional and molecular characterization of transmembrane intracellular pH regulators in human dental pulp stem cells

OBJECTIVE

Homeostasis of intracellular pH (pH_i) plays vital roles in many cell functions, such as proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and metastasis. Thus far, Na⁺-H⁺ exchanger (NHE), Na⁺-HCO₃^- co-transporter (NBC), Cl^-/HCO₃^- exchanger (AE) and Cl^-/OH^- exchanger (CHE) have been identified to co-regulate pH_i homeostasis. However, functional and biological pH_i-regulators in human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) have yet to be identified.

DESIGN

Microspectrofluorimetry technique with pH-sensitive fluorescent dye, BCECF, was used to detect pH_i changes. NH₄Cl and Na⁺-acetate pre-pulse were used to induce intracellular acidosis and alkalosis, respectively. Isoforms of pH_i-regulators were detected by Western blot technique.

RESULTS

The resting pH_i was no significant difference between that in HEPES-buffered (nominal HCO₃^--free) solution or CO₂/HCO₃-buffered system (7.42 and 7.46, respectively). The pH_i recovery following the induced-intracellular acidosis was blocked completely by removing [Na⁺]_o, while only slowed (-63%) by adding HOE694 (a NHE1 specific inhibitor) in HEPES-buffered solution. The pH_i recovery was inhibited entirely by removing [Na⁺]_o, while adding HOE 694 pulse DIDS (an anion-transporter inhibitor) only slowed (-55%) the acid extrusion. Both in HEPES-buffered and CO₂/HCO₃-buffered system solution, the pH_i recovery after induced-intracellular alkalosis was entirely blocked by removing [Cl^-]_o. Western blot analysis showed the isoforms of pH_i regulators, including NHE1/2, NBCe1/n1, AE1/2/3/4 and CHE in the hDPSCs.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate for the first time that resting pH_i is significantly higher than 7.2 and meditates functionally by two Na⁺-dependent acid extruders (NHE and NBC), two Cl^--dependent acid loaders (CHE and AE) and one Na⁺-independent acid extruder(s) in hDPSCs. These findings provide novel insight for basic and clinical treatment of dentistry.

The Effect and Underlying Mechanism of Ethanol on Intracellular H(+) -Equivalent Membrane Transporters in Human Aorta Smooth Muscle Cells

BACKGROUND

The presence of intracellular pH (pHi ) regulators, including Na(+) -H(+) exchanger (NHE), Na(+) -HCO3- co-transporter (NBC), Cl(-) /OH(-) exchanger (CHE), and Cl(-) /HCO3- exchanger (AE), have been confirmed in many mammalian cells. Alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disorder. The aims of the study were to identify the possible transmembrane pHi regulators and to explore the effects of ethanol (EtOH) (10 to 300 mM) on the resting pHi and pHi regulators in human aorta smooth muscle cells (HASMCs).

METHODS

HASMCs were obtained from patients undergoing heart transplant. The pHi was measured by microspectrofluorimetry with the pH-sensitive dye, BCECF-AM.

RESULTS

The following results are obtained. (i) In cultured HASMCs, the resting pHi was 7.19 ± 0.04 and 7.13 ± 0.02 for HEPES- and CO2 /HCO3--buffered solution, respectively. (ii) Two different Na(+) -dependent acid-equivalent extruders, including NHE and Na(+) -coupled HCO3- transporter, functionally coexisted. (iii) Two different Cl(-) -dependent acid loaders (CHE and AE) were functionally identified. (iv) EtOH induced a biphasic, concentration-dependent change in resting pHi (+0.25 pH unit at 100 mM but only +0.05 pH unit at 300 mM) in bicarbonate-buffered solution, while caused a concentration-dependent decrease in resting pHi (-0.06 pH unit at 300 mM) in HEPES-buffered solution. (v) The effect of EtOH on NHE activity was also biphasic: increase of 40% at lower concentration of 10 mM, followed by decrease of 30% at higher concentration of 300 mM. (vi) The increase in Na(+) -coupled HCO3- transporter activity by EtOH was concentration dependent. (vii) The effect of EtOH on CHE and AE activities was both biphasic: increase of ~25% at 30 mM, followed by decrease of 10 to 25% at 100 mM, and finally increase of 15 to 20% at 300 mM.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that 2 acid extruders and 2 acid loaders coexisted functionally in HASMCs and that EtOH induced a biphasic, concentration-dependent change in resting pHi by altering the activity of the 2 acid extruders, NHE and Na(+) -coupled HCO3- transporter, and the 2 acid loaders, CHE and AE.

Reversed electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter 1 is the major acid loader during recovery from cytosolic alkalosis in mouse cortical astrocytes

KEY POINTS

The regulation of H(+) i from cytosolic alkalosis has generally been attributed to the activity of Cl(-) -coupled acid loaders/base extruders in most cell types, including brain cells. The present study demonstrates that outwardly-directed sodium bicarbonate cotransport via electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter 1 (NBCe1) mediates the major fraction of H(+) i regulation from cytosolic alkalosis in mouse cortical astrocytes. Cl(-) -coupled acid-loading transporters play only a minor role in the regulation of H(+) i from alkalosis in mouse cortical astrocytes. NBCe1-mediated H(+) i regulation from alkalosis was dominant, with the support of intracellular carbonic anhydrase II, even when the intra- and extracellular [HCO3 (-) ] was very low (<1mM), as in nominally CO2 /HCO3 (-) free condition. A reversed NBCe1 in astrocytes may also be significant for stabilizing extracellular pH in brain tissue.

ABSTRACT

Recovery of intracellular pH from cytosolic alkalosis has been attributed primarily to Cl(-) coupled acid loaders/base extruders such as Cl(-) /HCO3 (-) or Cl(-) /OH(-) exchangers. We have studied this process in cortical astrocytes from wild-type and transgenic mouse models with gene deletion for the electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter 1 (NBCe1) and for carbonic anhydrase (CA) isoform II. An acute cytosolic alkalosis was induced by the removal of either CO2 /HCO3 (-) or butyric acid, and the subsequent acid loading was analysed by monitoring changes in cytosolic H(+) or Na(+) using ion-sensitive fluorescent dyes. We have identified that NBCe1 reverses during alkalosis and contributes more than 70% to the rate of recovery from alkalosis by extruding Na(+) and HCO3 (-) . After CA inhibition or in CAII-knockout (KO) cells, the rate of recovery was reduced by 40%, and even by 70% in the nominal absence of CO2 /HCO3 (-) . Increasing the extracellular K(+) concentration modulated the rate of acid loading in wild-type cells, but not in NBCe1-KO cells. Removing chloride had only a minor effect on the recovery from alkalosis. Reversal of NBCe1 by reducing pH/[HCO3 (-) ] was demonstrated in astrocytes and in Xenopus oocytes, in which human NBCe1 was heterologously expressed. The results obtained suggest that reversed NBCe1, supported by CAII activity, plays a major role in acid-loading cortical astrocytes to support recovery from cytosolic alkalosis.

Na⁺ transport in the normal and failing heart - remember the balance

In the heart, intracellular Na(+) concentration ([Na(+)]i) is a key modulator of Ca(2+) cycling, contractility and cardiac myocyte metabolism. Several Na(+) transporters are electrogenic, thus they both contribute to shaping the cardiac action potential and at the same time are affected by it. [Na(+)]i is controlled by the balance between Na(+) influx through various pathways, including the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger and Na(+) channels, and Na(+) extrusion via the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. [Na(+)]i is elevated in HF due to a combination of increased entry through Na(+) channels and/or Na(+)/H(+) exchanger and reduced activity of the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. Here we review the major Na(+) transport pathways in cardiac myocytes and how they participate in regulating [Na(+)]i in normal and failing hearts. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Na(+) Regulation in Cardiac Myocytes."

Regulation of ion gradients across myocardial ischemic border zones: a biophysical modelling analysis

The myocardial ischemic border zone is associated with the initiation and sustenance of arrhythmias. The profile of ionic concentrations across the border zone play a significant role in determining cellular electrophysiology and conductivity, yet their spatial-temporal evolution and regulation are not well understood. To investigate the changes in ion concentrations that regulate cellular electrophysiology, a mathematical model of ion movement in the intra and extracellular space in the presence of ionic, potential and material property heterogeneities was developed. The model simulates the spatial and temporal evolution of concentrations of potassium, sodium, chloride, calcium, hydrogen and bicarbonate ions and carbon dioxide across an ischemic border zone. Ischemia was simulated by sodium-potassium pump inhibition, potassium channel activation and respiratory and metabolic acidosis. The model predicted significant disparities in the width of the border zone for each ionic species, with intracellular sodium and extracellular potassium having discordant gradients, facilitating multiple gradients in cellular properties across the border zone. Extracellular potassium was found to have the largest border zone and this was attributed to the voltage dependence of the potassium channels. The model also predicted the efflux of [Formula: see text] from the ischemic region due to electrogenic drift and diffusion within the intra and extracellular space, respectively, which contributed to [Formula: see text] depletion in the ischemic region.

Blood cardioplegia serves as a bicarbonate donor to the myocardium during ischemia: effects of anoxia and hypercapnia on acid-base characteristics of blood cardioplegic solution

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the alterations of acid-base characteristics of the blood cardioplegia (BCP) solution during aortic cross-clamping in hearts arrested with BCP and during in vitro-simulated ischemia.

METHODS

Following aortic cross-clamping, the hearts of 40 patients undergoing cardiac surgery were intermittently infused with an 18°C BCP solution and finally with a 34°C BCP solution prior to aortic cross-clamp release. We measured the pH, partial CO(2) pressure (pCO(2)), [HCO(3)(-)], and [Cl(-)] of the coronary sinus effluent in the final BCP solution. The BCP solution was assessed under in vitro gassing at 34°C with 95% N(2) + 5% CO(2) (n = 6), 50% N(2) + 50% CO(2) (n = 3), or 100% CO(2) (n = 6).

RESULTS

The coronary sinus effluent, compared with the preinfusion BCP solution, exhibited a significantly lower pH and a greater pCO(2) with no change in the [HCO(3)(-)] level. In vitro, the 95% N(2) + 5% CO(2) gassing (simulated hypoxia) group exhibited a slight increase in [HCO(3)(-)] with no change in pCO(2) or pH whereas the 50% N(2) + 50% CO(2) gassing and the 100% CO(2) gassing (simulated hypoxia and hypercapnia) groups exhibited a significant increase in [HCO(3)(-)] under high pCO(2)-induced acidification.

CONCLUSIONS

Under anoxia and CO(2) retention during aortic cross-clamping, the BCP solution can be a bicarbonate donor to the myocardium.

Dual role of CO2/HCO3(-) buffer in the regulation of intracellular pH of three-dimensional tumor growths

Intracellular pH (pH_i), a major modulator of cell function, is regulated by acid/base transport across membranes. Excess intracellular H⁺ ions (e.g. produced by respiration) are extruded by transporters such as Na⁺/H⁺ exchange, or neutralized by HCO₃⁻ taken up by carriers such as Na⁺-HCO₃⁻ cotransport. Using fluorescence pH_i imaging, we show that cancer-derived cell lines (colorectal HCT116 and HT29, breast MDA-MB-468, pancreatic MiaPaca2, and cervical HeLa) extrude acid by H⁺ efflux and HCO₃⁻ influx, largely sensitive to dimethylamiloride and 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonate (DIDS), respectively. The magnitude of HCO₃⁻ influx was comparable among the cell lines and may represent a constitutive element of tumor pH_i regulation. In contrast, H⁺ efflux varied considerably (MDA-MB-468 > HCT116 > HT29 > MiaPaca2 > HeLa). When HCO₃⁻ flux was pharmacologically inhibited, acid extrusion in multicellular HT29 and HCT116 spheroids (∼10,000 cells) was highly non-uniform and produced low pH_i at the core. With depth, acid extrusion became relatively more DIDS-sensitive because the low extracellular pH at the spheroid core inhibits H⁺ flux more than HCO₃⁻ flux. HCO₃⁻ flux inhibition also decelerated HCT116 spheroid growth. In the absence of CO₂/HCO₃⁻, acid extrusion by H⁺ flux in HCT116 and MDA-MB-468 spheroids became highly non-uniform and inadequate at the core. This is because H⁺ transporters require extracellular mobile pH buffers, such as CO₂/HCO₃⁻, to overcome low H⁺ ion mobility and chaperone H⁺ ions away from cells. CO₂/HCO₃⁻ exerts a dual effect: as substrate for membrane-bound HCO₃⁻ transporters and as a mobile buffer for facilitating extracellular diffusion of H⁺ ions extruded from cells. These processes can be augmented by carbonic anhydrase activity. We conclude that CO₂/HCO₃⁻ is important for maintaining uniformly alkaline pH_i in small, non-vascularized tumor growths and may be important for cancer disease progression.

Transport activities involved in intracellular pH recovery following acid and alkali challenges in rat brain microvascular endothelial cells

Transport activities involved in intracellular pH (pH(i)) recovery after acid or alkali challenge were investigated in cultured rat brain microvascular endothelial cells by monitoring pH(i) using a pH-sensitive dye. Following relatively small acid loads with pH(i) approximately 6.5, HCO(-)(3) influx accounted for most of the acid extrusion from the cell with both Cl(-)-independent and Cl(-)-dependent, Na(+)-dependent transporters involved. The Cl(-)-independent component has the same properties as the NBC-like transporter previously shown to account for most of the acid extrusion near the resting pH(i). Following large acid loads with pH(i) < 6.5, most of the acid extrusion was mediated by Na(+)/H(+) exchange, the rate of which was steeply dependent on pH(i). Concanamycin A, an inhibitor of V-type ATPase, had no effect on the rates of acid extrusion. Following an alkali challenge, the major component of the acid loading leading to recovery of pH(i) occurred by Cl(-)/HCO(-)(3) exchange. This exchange had the same properties as the AE-like transporter previously identified as a major acid loader near resting pH(i). These acid-loading and acid-extruding transport mechanisms together with the Na(+), K(+), ATPase may be sufficient to account not only for pH(i) regulation in brain endothelial cells but also for the net secretion of HCO(-)(3) across the blood-brain barrier.

S0859, an N-cyanosulphonamide inhibitor of sodium-bicarbonate cotransport in the heart

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Intracellular pH (pH(i)) in heart is regulated by sarcolemmal H(+)-equivalent transporters such as Na(+)-H(+) exchange (NHE) and Na(+)-HCO(3) (-) cotransport (NBC). Inhibition of NBC influences pH(i) and can be cardioprotective in animal models of post-ischaemic reperfusion. Apart from a rabbit polyclonal NBC-antibody, a selective NBC inhibitor compound has not been studied. Compound S0859 (C(29)H(24)ClN(3)O(3)S) is a putative NBC inhibitor. Here, we provide the drug's chemical structure, test its potency and selectivity in ventricular cells and assess its suitability for experiments on cardiac contraction.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

pH(i) recovery from intracellular acidosis was monitored using pH-epifluorescence (SNARF-fluorophore) in guinea pig, rat and rabbit isolated ventricular myocytes. Electrically evoked cell shortening (contraction) was measured optically. With CO(2)/HCO(3) (-)-buffered superfusates containing 30 muM cariporide (to inhibit NHE), pH(i) recovery is mediated by NBC.

KEY RESULTS

S0859, an N-cyanosulphonamide compound, reversibly inhibited NBC-mediated pH(i) recovery (K (i)=1.7 microM, full inhibition at approximately 30 microM). In HEPES-buffered superfusates, NHE-mediated pH(i) recovery was unaffected by 30 microM S0859. With CO(2)/HCO(3) (-) buffer, pH(i) recovery from intracellular alkalosis (mediated by Cl(-)/HCO(3) (-) and Cl(-)/OH(-) exchange) was also unaffected. Selective NBC-inhibition was not due to action on carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzymes, as 100 microM acetazolamide (a membrane-permeant CA-inhibitor) had no significant effect on NBC activity. pH(i) recovery from acidosis was associated with increased contractile-amplitude. The time course of recovery of pH(i) and contraction was slowed by S0859, confirming that NBC is a significant controller of contractility during acidosis.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Compound S0859 is a selective, high-affinity generic NBC inhibitor, potentially important for probing the transporter's functional role in heart and other tissues.

Measuring and modeling chloride-hydroxyl exchange in the Guinea-pig ventricular myocyte

Protons are powerful modulators of cardiac function. Their intracellular concentration is regulated by sarcolemmal ion transporters that export or import H+-ions (or their ionic equivalent: HCO3-, OH-). One such transporter, which imports H+-equivalents, is a putative Cl-/OH- exchanger (CHE). A strong candidate for CHE is SLC26A6 protein, a product of the SLC26A gene family of anion transporters, which has been detected in murine heart. SLC26A6 protein is suggested to be an electrogenic 1Cl-/2OH-(2HCO3-) exchanger. Unfortunately, there is insufficient characterization of cardiac CHE against which the properties of heterologously expressed SLC26A6 can be matched. We therefore investigated the proton, Cl-, and voltage dependence of CHE activity in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes, using voltage-clamp, intracellular pH fluorescence, and mathematical modeling techniques. We find that CHE activity is tightly regulated by intracellular and extracellular pH, is voltage-insensitive over a wide range (+/-80 mV), and displays substrate dependence suggestive of electroneutral 1Cl-/1OH- exchange. These properties exclude electrogenic SLC26A6 as sole contributor to CHE. Either the SLC26A6 product in heart is electroneutral, or CHE comprises at least two transporters with oppositely balanced voltage sensitivity. Alternatively, CHE may comprise an H+-Cl- coinflux system, which cannot be distinguished kinetically from an exchanger. Irrespective of ionic mechanism, CHE's pH sensitivity helps to define resting intracellular pH, and hence basal function in the heart.

Transmembrane domain histidines contribute to regulation of AE2-mediated anion exchange by pH

Activity of the AE2/SLC4A2 anion exchanger is modulated acutely by pH, influencing the transporter's role in regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) and epithelial solute transport. In Xenopus oocytes, heterologous AE2-mediated Cl−/Cl−and Cl−/HCO3−exchange are inhibited by acid pHior extracellular pH (pHo). We have investigated the importance to pH sensitivity of the eight histidine (His) residues within the AE2 COOH-terminal transmembrane domain (TMD). Wild-type mouse AE2-mediated Cl−/Cl−exchange, measured as DIDS-sensitive36Cl−efflux from Xenopus oocytes, was experimentally altered by varying pHiat constant pHoor varying pHo. Pretreatment of oocytes with the His modifier diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC) reduced basal36Cl−efflux at pHo7.4 and acid shifted the pHovs. activity profile of wild-type AE2, suggesting that His residues might be involved in pH sensing. Single His mutants of AE2 were generated and expressed in oocytes. Although mutation of H1029 to Ala severely reduced transport and surface expression, other individual His mutants exhibited wild-type or near-wild-type levels of Cl−transport activity with retention of pHosensitivity. In contrast to the effects of DEPC on wild-type AE2, pHosensitivity was significantly alkaline shifted for mutants H1144Y and H1145A and the triple mutants H846/H849/H1145A and H846/H849/H1160A. Although all functional mutants retained sensitivity to pHi, pHisensitivity was enhanced for AE2 H1145A. The simultaneous mutation of five or more His residues, however, greatly decreased basal AE2 activity, consistent with the inhibitory effects of DEPC modification. The results show that multiple TMD His residues contribute to basal AE2 activity and its sensitivity to pHiand pHo.

Ca2+-activated Cl- current reduces transmural electrical heterogeneity within the rabbit left ventricle

OBJECTIVE

Various cationic membrane channels contribute to the heterogeneity of action potential configuration between the transmural layers of the left ventricle. The role of anionic membrane channels is less intensively studied. We investigated the role of the Ca2+-activated Cl- current, ICl(Ca), in transmural electrical heterogeneity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We determined the density of ICl(Ca) and its physiological role in subepicardial and subendocardial ventricular myocytes of rabbit using the patch-clamp technique. ICl(Ca) was measured as the 4,4'diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS) sensitive current. The current-voltage relationships and the densities of ICl(Ca) were similar in subepicardial and subendocardial myocytes. However, the functional role of ICl(Ca) exhibited striking differences. In subendocardial myocytes, blockade of ICl(Ca) by DIDS increased action potential duration (APD) significantly at all measured stimulus frequencies (3.33-0.2 Hz). In subepicardial myocytes, ICl(Ca) blockade increased APD only at 3.33 Hz, but not at the lower stimulus frequencies. At 1 Hz, ICl(Ca) blockade in subepicardial myocytes only caused an APD increase when the transient outward K+ current, Ito1, was blocked.

CONCLUSIONS

The densities and gating properties of ICl(Ca) are similar in subepicardial and subendocardial myocytes. ICl(Ca) contributes to APD shortening in subendocardial, but not in subepicardial myocytes except at 3.33 Hz. These differences in functional expression of ICl(Ca) reduce the electrical heterogeneity in rabbit left ventricle.

Role of Ca2+-activated Cl- current during proarrhythmic early afterdepolarizations in sheep and human ventricular myocytes

OBJECTIVES

The proarrhythmic early afterdepolarizations (EADs) during phase-2 of the cardiac action potential (phase-2 EADs) are associated with secondary Ca2+-release of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. This makes it probable that the Ca2+-activated Cl- current [ICl(Ca)] is present during phase-2 EADs. Activation of ICl(Ca) during phase-2 of the action potential will result in an outwardly directed, repolarizing current and may thus be expected to prevent excessive depolarization of phase-2 EADs. The present study was designed to test this hypothesis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The contribution of ICl(Ca) during phase-2 EADs was studied in enzymatically isolated sheep and human ventricular myocytes using the patch-clamp methodology. EADs were induced by a combination of a low stimulus frequency (0.5 Hz) and exposure to 1 microm noradrenaline. In sheep myocytes, the ICl(Ca) blocker 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS, 0.5 mm) abolished phase-1 repolarization of the action potential in all myocytes tested. This indicates that ICl(Ca) is present in all sheep myocytes. However, DIDS had no effect on phase-2 EAD characteristics. In human myocytes, DIDS neither affected phase-1 repolarization nor phase-2 EAD characteristics.

CONCLUSION

In sheep ventricular myocytes, but not in human ventricular myocytes, ICl(Ca) contributes to phase-1 repolarization of the action potential. In both sheep and human myocytes, ICl(Ca) plays a limited role during phase-2 EADs.

Regulation and modulation of pH in the brain

The regulation of pH is a vital homeostatic function shared by all tissues. Mechanisms that govern H+ in the intracellular and extracellular fluid are especially important in the brain, because electrical activity can elicit rapid pH changes in both compartments. These acid-base transients may in turn influence neural activity by affecting a variety of ion channels. The mechanisms responsible for the regulation of intracellular pH in brain are similar to those of other tissues and are comprised principally of forms of Na+/H+ exchange, Na+-driven Cl-/HCO3- exchange, Na+-HCO3- cotransport, and passive Cl-/HCO3- exchange. Differences in the expression or efficacy of these mechanisms have been noted among the functionally and morphologically diverse neurons and glial cells that have been studied. Molecular identification of transporter isoforms has revealed heterogeneity among brain regions and cell types. Neural activity gives rise to an assortment of extracellular and intracellular pH shifts that originate from a variety of mechanisms. Intracellular pH shifts in neurons and glia have been linked to Ca2+ transport, activation of acid extrusion systems, and the accumulation of metabolic products. Extracellular pH shifts can occur within milliseconds of neural activity, arise from an assortment of mechanisms, and are governed by the activity of extracellular carbonic anhydrase. The functional significance of these compartmental, activity-dependent pH shifts is discussed.

Role of bicarbonate in the regulation of intracellular pH in the mammalian ventricular myocyte

Bicarbonate is important for pHi control in cardiac cells. It is a major part of the intracellular buffer apparatus, it is a substrate for sarcolemmal acid-equivalent transporters that regulate intracellular pH, and it contributes to the pHo sensitivity of steady-state pHi, a phenomenon that may form part of a whole-body response to acid/base disturbances. Both bicarbonate and H+/OH- transporters participate in the sarcolemmal regulation of pHi, namely Na(+)-HCO3-cotransport (NBC), Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange (i.e., anion exchange, AE), Na(+)-H+ exchange (NHE), and Cl(-)-OH- exchange (CHE). These transporters are coupled functionally through changes of pHi, while pHi is linked to [Ca2+]i through secondary changes in [Na+] mediated by NBC and NHE. Via such coupling, decreases of pHo and pHi can ultimately lead to an elevation of [Ca2+]i, thereby influencing cardiac contractility and electrical rhythm. Bicarbonate is also an essential component of an intracellular carbonic buffer shuttle that diffusively couples cytoplasmic pH to the sarcolemma and minimises the formation of intracellular pH microdomains. The importance of bicarbonate is closely linked to the activity of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA). Without CA activity, intracellular bicarbonate-dependent buffering, membrane bicarbonate transport, and the carbonic shuttle are severely compromised. There is a functional partnership between CA and HCO3- transport. Based on our observations on intracellular acid mobility, we propose that one physiological role for CA is to act as a pH-coupling protein, linking bulk pH to the allosteric H+ control sites on sarcolemmal acid/base transporters.

Regulation of AE2-mediated Cl- transport by intracellular or by extracellular pH requires highly conserved amino acid residues of the AE2 NH2-terminal cytoplasmic domain

We reported recently that regulation by intracellular pH (pH(i)) of the murine Cl-/HCO(3)(-) exchanger AE2 requires amino acid residues 310-347 of the polypeptide's NH(2)-terminal cytoplasmic domain. We have now identified individual amino acid residues within this region whose integrity is required for regulation of AE2 by pH. 36Cl- efflux from AE2-expressing Xenopus oocytes was monitored during variation of extracellular pH (pH(o)) with unclamped or clamped pH(i), or during variation of pH(i) at constant pH(o). Wild-type AE2-mediated 36Cl- efflux was profoundly inhibited by acid pH(o), with a value of pH(o50) = 6.87 +/- 0.05, and was stimulated up to 10-fold by the intracellular alkalinization produced by bath removal of the preequilibrated weak acid, butyrate. Systematic hexa-alanine [(A)6]bloc substitutions between aa 312-347 identified the greatest acid shift in pH(o(50)) value, approximately 0.8 pH units in the mutant (A)6 342-347, but only a modest acid-shift in the mutant (A)6 336-341. Two of the six (A)6 mutants retained normal pH(i) sensitivity of 36Cl- efflux, whereas the (A)6 mutants 318-323, 336-341, and 342-347 were not stimulated by intracellular alkalinization. We further evaluated the highly conserved region between aa 336-347 by alanine scan and other mutagenesis of single residues. Significant changes in AE2 sensitivity to pH(o) and to pH(i) were found independently and in concert. The E346A mutation acid-shifted the pH(o(0) value to the same extent whether pH(i) was unclamped or held constant during variation of pH(o). Alanine substitution of the corresponding glutamate residues in the cytoplasmic domains of related AE anion exchanger polypeptides confirmed the general importance of these residues in regulation of anion exchange by pH. Conserved, individual amino acid residues of the AE2 cytoplasmic domain contribute to independent regulation of anion exchange activity by pH(o) as well as pH(i).

Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) current in rabbit sinoatrial node cells

The Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) current (I(Cl(Ca))) has been identified in atrial, Purkinje and ventricular cells, where it plays a substantial role in phase-1 repolarization and delayed after-depolarizations. In sinoatrial (SA) node cells, however, the presence and functional role of I(Cl(Ca)) is unknown. In the present study we address this issue using perforated patch-clamp methodology and computer simulations. Single SA node cells were enzymatically isolated from rabbit hearts. I(Cl(Ca)) was measured, using the perforated patch-clamp technique, as the current sensitive to the anion blocker 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS). Voltage clamp experiments demonstrate the presence of I(Cl(Ca)) in one third of the spontaneously active SA node cells. The current was transient outward with a bell-shaped current-voltage relationship. Adrenoceptor stimulation with 1 microM noradrenaline doubled the I(Cl(Ca)) density. Action potential clamp measurements demonstrate that I(Cl(Ca)) is activate late during the action potential upstroke. Current clamp experiments show, both in the absence and presence of 1 microM noradrenaline, that blockade of I(Cl(Ca)) increases the action potential overshoot and duration, measured at 20 % repolarization. However, intrinsic interbeat interval, upstroke velocity, diastolic depolarization rate and the action potential duration measured at 50 and 90 % repolarization were not affected. Our experimental data are supported by computer simulations, which additionally demonstrate that I(Cl(Ca)) has a limited role in pacemaker synchronization or action potential conduction. In conclusion, I(Cl(Ca)) is present in one third of SA node cells and is activated during the pacemaker cycle. However, I(Cl(Ca)) does not modulate intrinsic interbeat interval, pacemaker synchronization or action potential conduction.

Arachidonic acid-induced H+ and Ca2+ increases in both the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm of rat cerebellar granule cells

1. Arachidonic acid (AA) exerts multiple physiological and pathophysiological effects in the brain. By continuously measuring the intracellular pH (pH(i)) and Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) in primary cultured rat cerebellar granule cells, we have found, for the first time, that 20 min treatment with 10 microM AA resulted in marked increases in Ca2+ and H+ levels in both the cytosol and nucleus. 2. A much higher concentration (40 mM) of another weak acid, propionic acid, was needed to induce a similar change in pH(i). The [Ca2+]i increase was probably caused by AA-induced activation of Ni2+-sensitive cationic channels, but did not involve NMDA channels or the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger. 3. AA-induced acidosis occurs by a different mechanism involving predominantly the passive diffusion of the un-ionized form of AA, rather than a protein carrier, as proposed by Kamp & Hamilton for fatty acids (FAs) in artificial phospholipid bilayers (the 'flip-flop' model). The following results, which are similar to those observed in lipid bilayers, support this conclusion: (1) FAs containing a -COOH group (AA, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid) induced intracellular acidosis, whereas a FA with a -COOCH3 group (AA methyl ester) had little effect on pH(i), (2) a FA amine, tetradecylamine, induced intracellular alkalosis, and (3) the AA-/FA-induced pH(i) changes were reversed by bovine serum albumin. 4. Further evidence in support of a passive diffusion model, rather than a membrane protein carrier, is that: (1) there was a linear relationship between the initial rate of acid flux and the concentration of AA (2-100 microM), (2) acidosis was not inhibited by 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid, a potent inhibitor of the plasma membrane FA carrier protein, and (3) the involvement of most known H+-related membrane carriers and H+ conductance has been ruled out. 5. Since AA can be released under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions, the possible significance of the AA-evoked increases in H+ and Ca2+ in both the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm is discussed.

Effect of S20787, a novel Cl--HCO3- exchange inhibitor, on intracellular pH regulation in guinea pig ventricular myocytes

S20787 has recently been proposed to be a selective Cl--HCO3- anion exchange (AE) inhibitor in rat cardiomyocytes. The AE transporter mediates sarcolemmal acid influx but is only one part of the cardiac cell's dual acid loading mechanism, the other part being a sarcolemmal Cl--OH- exchanger (CHE). We have therefore (1) investigated the differential effects of S20787 on the AE and CHE transporters in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes and (2) re-examined the influence of the drug on other sarcolemmal acid transporters by monitoring its effect on intracellular pH (pH(i)) recovery from alkali or acid loads. The pH(i) was measured using microspectrofluorimetry (carboxy-SNARF-1). The results indicate that CHE activity was unaffected by the drug (1-20 microM), whereas up to 78% of AE activity was blocked (K(i) = 3.9 microM). Thus, S20787 targets only the AE component of the dual acid influx system. Activities of other acid-transporting carriers, such as Na+-H+ exchange, Na+-HCO3- co-transport and the monocarboxylic acid transporter, were unaffected by the drug. The inhibitory efficacy of S20787 for AE in guinea pig cardiomyocytes appears to be considerably higher (approximately 78%) than proposed previously for rat cardiomyocytes (50%). This is most likely because, in both cells, a significant fraction (20-30%) of acid influx is mediated through the S20787-insensitive CHE transporter. Previous studies made no allowance for the CHE component, which would result in an underestimation. S20787 is thus a highly selective AE inhibitor which may be useful as an experimental tool and a potential cardiac protective agent in the heart.

The modelling of a primitive 'sustainable' conservative cell

The simple sustainable or 'eternal' cell model, assuming preservation of all proteins, is designed as a building block, a primitive element upon which one can build more complete functional cell models of various types, representing various species. In the modelling we emphasize the electrophysiological aspects, in part because these are a well-developed component of cell models and because membrane potentials and their fluctuations have been generally omitted from metabolically oriented cell models in the past. Fluctuations in membrane potential deserve heightened consideration because probably all cells have negative intracellular potentials and most cells demonstrate electrical activity with vesicular extrusion, receptor occupancy, as well as with stimulated excitation resulting in regenerative depolarization. The emphasis is on the balances of mass, charge, and of chemical species while accounting for substrate uptake, metabolism and metabolite loss from the cell. By starting with a primitive representation we emphasize the conservation ideas. As more advanced models are generated they must adhere to the same basic principles as are required for the most primitive incomplete model.

Stimulation of myocardial Na(+)-independent Cl(-)-HCO(3)(-) exchanger by angiotensin II is mediated by endogenous endothelin

Experiments were performed in isolated cat papillary muscles loaded with the pH-sensitive dye 2', 7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein in the esterified form to study the effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on the activity of the Na(+)-independent Cl(-)-HCO(3)(-) exchanger. Exposure to ET-1 (10 nmol/L) raised pH(i) by 0.13+/-0.03 U (P<0.05) in papillary muscles superfused with nominally HCO(3)(-)-free solution, whereas no significant change was detected under CO(2)/HCO(3)(-)-buffered medium. However, if ET-1 was applied to muscles pretreated with the anion exchanger inhibitor 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanato-stilbene-2, 2'-disulfonic acid, pH(i) increased by 0.09+/-0.02 U (P<0.05) in the presence of CO(2)/HCO(3)(-) buffer. The rate of pH(i) recovery from trimethylamine hydrochloride-induced intracellular alkaline load was enhanced so that net HCO(3) efflux increased about three times in the presence of ET-1 (2.74+/-0.25 versus 9.66+/-1.29 mmol. L(-1). min(-1) at pH(i) 7.55, P<0.05). This effect was canceled by previous exposure to either 50 nmol/L PD 142,893 (nonselective endothelin receptor blocker) or 300 nmol/L BQ 123 (selective blocker of ET(A) receptors). BQ 123 also abolished angiotensin II-induced activation of the Na(+) independent Cl(-)-HCO(3)(-) exchanger. These results show that ET-1 increases the activity of the Na(+)-independent Cl(-)-HCO(3)(-) exchanger in cardiac tissue through the ET(A) receptors. Furthermore, our data suggest that the previously described angiotensin II-induced stimulation of the anion exchanger activity is mediated by endogenous ET-1.

Possible mechanism(s) of arachidonic acid-induced intracellular acidosis in rat cardiac myocytes

Arachidonic acid (AA) and other nonesterified fatty acids (FAs) have been shown to exert harmful effects during cardiac ischemia. By continuously measuring intracellular pH (pH(i)) changes in neonatal and adult cardiac myocytes, we have found, for the first time, that 10 micromol/L AA induces a substantial intracellular acidosis (0.3 to 0.4 pH units). We have ruled out the possibilities that the AA-induced acidosis is caused by (1) inhibition or stimulation of the pH(i) regulators, (2) protein kinase C activation or the generation of AA metabolites or free radicals, or (3) activation of NADPH oxidase or an inward H(+) current. The AA-induced acidosis fits to a simple diffusion mechanism, as proposed by Kamp and Hamilton (flip-flop model) for artificial phospholipid bilayers. The important properties found in the cardiac myocyte are that (1) the initial rate of acid flux (J(H)) increases with the AA concentration (2 to 50 micromol/L), (2) FAs with a (-)COOH group (eg, AA, oleic acid, and linoleic acid) induce intracellular acidification, but FAs with a (-)COOCH(3) group (eg, AA methyl ester) have little effect on the pH(i), (3) tetradecylamine (FA amine) induces intracellular alkalosis, and, most importantly, (4) both the AA- and tetradecylamine-induced pH(i) changes can be reversed by 0.3% BSA. Because a low concentration of AA (10 micromol/L) can induce a substantial acidosis, the possible involvement of the FA-evoked acidosis in the negative inotropic effect during cardiac ischemia is discussed. The full text of this article is available at http://www. circresaha.org.

Cardiac ionic currents and acute ischemia: from channels to arrhythmias

The aim of this review is to provide basic information on the electrophysiological changes during acute ischemia and reperfusion from the level of ion channels up to the level of multicellular preparations. After an introduction, section II provides a general description of the ion channels and electrogenic transporters present in the heart, more specifically in the plasma membrane, in intracellular organelles of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, and in the gap junctions. The description is restricted to activation and permeation characterisitics, while modulation is incorporated in section III. This section (ischemic syndromes) describes the biochemical (lipids, radicals, hormones, neurotransmitters, metabolites) and ion concentration changes, the mechanisms involved, and the effect on channels and cells. Section IV (electrical changes and arrhythmias) is subdivided in two parts, with first a description of the electrical changes at the cellular and multicellular level, followed by an analysis of arrhythmias during ischemia and reperfusion. The last short section suggests possible developments in the study of ischemia-related phenomena.

Characterization of intracellular pH regulation in the guinea-pig ventricular myocyte

1. Intracellular pH was recorded fluorimetrically by using carboxy-SNARF-1, AM-loaded into superfused ventricular myocytes isolated from guinea-pig heart. Intracellular acid and base loads were induced experimentally and the changes of pHi used to estimate intracellular buffering power (beta). The rate of pHi recovery from acid or base loads was used, in conjunction with the measurements of beta, to estimate sarcolemmal transporter fluxes of acid equivalents. A combination of ion substitution and pharmacological inhibitors was used to dissect acid effluxes carried on Na+-H+ exchange (NHE) and Na+-HCO3- cotransport (NBC), and acid influxes carried on Cl--HCO3- exchange (AE) and Cl--OH- exchange (CHE). 2. The intracellular intrinsic buffering power (betai), estimated under CO2/HCO3--free conditions, varied inversely with pHi in a manner consistent with two principal intracellular buffers of differing concentration and pK. In CO2/HCO3--buffered conditions, intracellular buffering was roughly doubled. The size of the CO2-dependent component (betaCO2) was consistent with buffering in a cell fully open to CO2. Because the full value of betaCO2 develops slowly (2.5 min), it had to be measured under equilibrium conditions. The value of betaCO2 increased monotonically with pHi. 3. In 5 % CO2/HCO3--buffered conditions (pHo 7.40), acid extrusion on NHE and NBC increased as pHi was reduced, with the greater increase occurring through NHE at pHi < 6.90. Acid influx on AE and CHE increased as pHi was raised, with the greater increase occurring through AE at pHi > 7.15. At resting pHi (7.04-7.07), all four carriers were activated equally, albeit at a low rate (about 0.15 mM min-1). 4. The pHi dependence of flux through the transporters, in combination with the pHi and time dependence of intracellular buffering (betai + betaCO2), was used to predict mathematically the recovery of pHi following an intracellular acid or base load. Under several conditions the mathematical predictions compared well with experimental recordings, suggesting that the model of dual acid influx and acid efflux transporters is sufficient to account for pHi regulation in the cardiac cell. Key properties of the pHi control system are discussed.

Modelling myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion

Substrate depletion and increased intracellular acidity are believed to underlie clinically important manifestations of myocardial ischaemia. Recent advances in measuring ion concentrations and metabolite changes have provided a wealth of detail on the processes involved. Coupled with the rapid increase in computing power, this has allowed the development of a mathematical model of cardiac metabolism in normal and ischaemic conditions. Pre-existing models of cardiac cells such as Oxsoft HEART contain highly developed dynamic descriptions of cardiac electrical activity. While biophysically detailed, these models do not yet incorporate biochemical changes. Modelling of bioenergetic changes was based and verified against whole heart NMR spectroscopy. In the model, ATP hydrolysis and generation are calculated simultaneously as a function of [Pi]i. Simulation of pH regulation was based on the pHi dependency of acid efflux, examined in time-course studies of pHi recovery (measured in myocytes with the fluorophore carboxy-SNARF-1) from imposed acid and alkali loads. The force-[Ca2+]i relationship of myofibrils was used as the basis of modelling H+ competition with Ca2+, and thus of pH effects on contraction. This complex description of biochemically important changes in myocardial ischaemia was integrated into the OXSOFT models. The model is sufficiently complete to simulate calcium-overload arrhythmias during ischaemia and reperfusion-induced arrhythmias. The timecourse of both metabolite and pH changes correlates well with clinical and experimental studies. The model possesses predictive power, as it aided the identification of electrophysiological effects of therapeutic interventions such as Na(+)-H+ block. It also suggests a strategy for the control of cardiac arrhythmias during calcium overload by regulating sodium-calcium exchange. In summary, we have developed a biochemically and biophysically detailed model that provides a novel approach to studying myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion.

Out-of-equilibrium pH transients in the guinea-pig ventricular myocyte

1. Following an intracellular alkali load (imposed by acetate prepulsing in CO2/HCO3- buffer), intracellular pH (pHi) of the guinea-pig ventricular myocyte (recorded from intracellular SNARF fluorescence) recovers to control levels. Recovery has two phases. An initial rapid phase (lasting up to 2 min) is followed by a later slow phase (several minutes). Inhibition of sarcolemmal acid-loading carriers (by removal of extracellular Cl-) inhibits the later, slow phase but the initial rapid recovery phase persists. It also persists in the absence of extracellular Na+ and in the presence of the HCO3- transport inhibitor DIDS (4,4-di-isothiocyanatostilbene-2, 2-disulphonic acid). 2. The rapid recovery phase is not evident if the alkali load has been induced by reducing PCO2 (from 10 to 5 %), and it is inhibited in the absence of CO2/HCO3- buffer (i.e. Hepes buffer). It is also slowed by the carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitor acetazolamide (ATZ). We conclude that it is caused by buffering of the alkali load through the hydration of intracellular CO2 (CO2-dependent buffering). 3. The time course of rapid recovery is consistent with an intracellular CO2 hydration rate constant (k1) of 0.36 s-1 in the presence of CA activity, and 0.14 s-1 in the absence of CA activity. This latter k1 value matches the literature value for uncatalysed CO2 hydration in free solution. Natural CO2 hydration is accelerated 2.6-fold in the ventricular myocyte by endogenous CA. 4. The rapid recovery phase represents a period when the intracellular CO2/HCO3- buffer is out of equilibrium (OOE). Modelling of the recovery phase using our k1 value, indicates that OOE conditions will normally extend for at least 2 min following a step rise in pHi (at constant PCO2). If CA is inactive, this period can be as long as 5 min. During normal pHi regulation, the recovery rate during these periods cannot be used as a measure of sarcolemmal acid loading since it is a mixture of slow CO2-dependent buffering and transmembrane acid loading. The implication of this finding for quantification of pHi regulation during alkalosis is discussed.