Rheogenic sodium transport in a tight epithelium, the amphibian skin

Stationary and Nonstationary Ion and Water Flux Interactions in Kidney Proximal Tubule: Mathematical Analysis of Isosmotic Transport by a Minimalistic Model

Our mathematical model of epithelial transport (Larsen et al. Acta Physiol. 195:171–186, 2009) is extended by equations for currents and conductance of apical SGLT2. With independent variables of the physiological parameter space, the model reproduces intracellular solute concentrations, ion and water fluxes, and electrophysiology of proximal convoluted tubule. The following were shown:

Reconciling the Krogh and Ussing interpretations of epithelial chloride transport - presenting a novel hypothesis for the physiological significance of the passive cellular chloride uptake

In 1937, August Krogh discovered a powerful active Cl(-) uptake mechanism in frog skin. After WWII, Hans Ussing continued the studies on the isolated skin and discovered the passive nature of the chloride uptake. The review concludes that the two modes of transport are associated with a minority cell type denoted as the γ-type mitochondria-rich (MR) cell, which is highly specialized for epithelial Cl(-) uptake whether the frog is in the pond of low [NaCl] or the skin is isolated and studied by Ussing chamber technique. One type of apical Cl(-) channels of the γ-MR cell is activated by binding of Cl(-) to an external binding site and by membrane depolarization. This results in a tight coupling of the uptake of Na(+) by principal cells and Cl(-) by MR cells. Another type of Cl(-) channels (probably CFTR) is involved in isotonic fluid uptake. It is suggested that the Cl(-) channels serve passive uptake of Cl(-) from the thin epidermal film of fluid produced by mucosal glands. The hypothesis is evaluated by discussing the turnover of water and ions of the epidermal surface fluid under terrestrial conditions. The apical Cl(-) channels close when the electrodiffusion force is outwardly directed as it is when the animal is in the pond. With the passive fluxes eliminated, the Cl(-) flux is governed by active transport and evidence is discussed that this is brought about by an exchange of cellular HCO(3) (-) with Cl(-) of the outside bath driven by an apical H(+) V-ATPase.

An experimental, hands-on approach to epithelial ion transport: A simple technique for introducing students to ion transport in epithelia

We have realized that our Biology undergraduate students learn biological concepts as established truths without awareness of the body of experimental evidence supporting the emerging models as usually presented in handbooks and texts in general. Therefore, we have implemented a laboratory practice in our course of Physiology and Biophysics, aimed to introduce the students in the way the scientific models and theories are built, through the measurement of Na(+) transport in frog skin. Transepithelial Na(+) transport was assessed in the frog skin, with measurements of short circuit currents. The mucosal Na(+) and serosal K(+) concentrations were modified and the effects were recorded. These effects were reversible. Addition of a drug that blocks epithelial Na(+) channels (amiloride) to the mucosal side solution abolished the short circuit current. Sodium fluxes were calculated, and the results were adjusted to Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The impact of the proposed practice on the students is discussed.

Hans H. Ussing--scientific work: contemporary significance and perspectives

As a zoologist, Hans H. Ussing began his scientific career by studying the marine plankton fauna in East Greenland. This brought him in contact with August Krogh at the time George de Hevesy, Niels Bohr and Krogh planned the application of artificial radioactive isotopes for studying the dynamic state of the living organism. Following his studies of protein turnover of body tissues with deuterium-labeled amino acids, Ussing initiated a new era of studies of transport across epithelial membranes. Theoretical difficulties in the interpretation of tracer fluxes resulted in novel concepts such as exchange diffusion, unidirectional fluxes, flux-ratio equation, and solvent drag. Combining methods of biophysics with radioactive isotope technology, Ussing introduced and defined the phrases 'short-circuit current', 'active transport pathway' and 'shunt pathway', and with frog skin as experimental model, he unambiguously proved active transport of sodium ions. Conceived in his electric circuit analogue of frog skin, Ussing associated transepithelial ion fluxes with the hitherto puzzling 'bioelectric potentials'. The two-membrane hypothesis of frog skin initiated the study of epithelial transport at the cellular level and raised new questions about cellular mechanisms of actions of hormones and drugs. His theoretical treatment of osmotic water fluxes versus fluxes of deuterium labeled water resulted in the discovery of epithelial water channels. His discovery of paracellular transport in frog skin bridged studies of high and low resistance epithelia and generalized the description of epithelial transport. He devoted the last decade of his scientific life to solute-coupled water transport. He introduced the sodium recirculation theory of isotonic transport, and in an experimental study, he obtained the evidence for recirculation of sodium ions in toad small intestine. In penetrating analyses of essential aspects of epithelial membrane transport, Ussing provided insights of general applicability and powerful analytical methods for the study of intestine, kidney, respiratory epithelia, and exocrine glands-of equal importance to biology and medicine.

Application of membrane potential equations to tight epithelia

It is shown that equations developed to analyze the contributions of secondary active transport processes to symmetrical cells (Gordon, L.G.M., Macknight, A.D.C., 1991, J. Membrane Biol. 120:139-152) can be used, with minor modifications, to analyze the steady-state membrane potential in epithelia under the unique situation of short circuiting. Only under such conditions is there a single intracellular potential relative to both the mucosal and serosal media. The equations are investigated in relation to a model tight epithelium--the toad urinary bladder. It is shown that the properties of the membrane transport pathways are such that the intracellular potential under short-circuit conditions must be more negative than often reported. Given measurements of membrane potential and of voltage-divider ratio, it is possible to use the equations to estimate the absolute values of the membrane permeabilities and conductances under short-circuit conditions.

Dual effect of barium on basolateral membrane conductance of frog skin

The effect of Ba2+ on basolateral membrane conductance (gi) in isolated frog skins was analysed. Response patterns were different in tissues with high and low spontaneous intracellular potential. At high (negative) potentials, serosal Ba2+ inhibited gi as is expected of a potent K+ channel blocker, whereas in tissues with low potential, gi remained unchanged or even increased after Ba2+. The direction of change in gi was also dependent on the magnitude of gi under control conditions. Decrease of gi was only observed at high gi in the control period. In contrast, gi increased if control values of gi were below 0.5 mS/cm2. In tissues with spontaneously low intracellular potential, an inhibitory effect of Ba2+ on gi could be induced by hyperpolarization of the basolateral membrane with transepithelial voltage perturbation. Under these conditions, voltage-dependent, inward rectifying K+ channels are activated, which are Ba2(+)-sensitive. Furthermore, hyperpolarization of the basolateral membrane potential (Vi) during Ba2+ rapidly decreased gi. These results suggest that Ba2+, in addition to blocking K+ channels, activates (presumably unspecific) basolateral membrane channels. This dual effect, which is obvious in tissues with low spontaneous gi, might similarly exist in tissues with high control gi. Identification, however, is virtually impossible due to the large decrease in potassium conductance.

Electrophysiological effects of mucosal Cl- removal in Necturus gallbladder epithelium

The factors responsible for the cell membrane hyperpolarization elicited in Necturus gallbladder epithelium on Cl- removal from the mucosal bathing solution were evaluated with conventional and ion-sensitive microelectrode techniques. Cl- removal causes reversal of apical Cl- -HCO3- exchange, resulting in a fall in intracellular Cl- activity (aiCl) and an increase in intracellular pH (pHi). Concomitantly, the cell membranes hyperpolarize to values close to the K+ equilibrium potential (EK), aiNa falls, and aiK rises. The observed changes in membrane voltage are not attributable to a pHi-dependent increase in cell membrane K+ permeability (PK), because 1) the cell membrane resistances increased and 2) elevating solution partial pressure of CO2 (PCO2) to counterbalance the cellular alkalinization on mucosal Cl- removal caused a further hyperpolarization of the cell membranes to values greater than EK. This additional hyperpolarization was related to the activity of the Na+ pump, inasmuch as it was accompanied by an increase in aiNa and was ouabain sensitive. These results are consistent with, but do not prove, pump electrogenicity. During the period of Cl- removal from the mucosal bathing solution, the cell membrane depolarization caused by raising serosal K+ concentration was increased, whereas the depolarization caused by lowering serosal Cl- concentration was decreased, compared with substitutions under control conditions. These results indicate that mucosal Cl- removal causes a decrease in basolateral PCl, which we speculate could be due to a decrease in cell volume. We conclude that the hyperpolarization of the cell membranes on mucosal Cl- removal is primarily due to the combined effects of the fall in basolateral PCl and the increase in basolateral ECl.

Ca2+ channels in the apical membrane of the toad urinary bladder

Previously (Van Driessche et al. 1987) we showed that small inward (mucosa towards serosa) oriented short-circuit currents (Isc) were recorded through the toad urinary bladder when the mucosal side was exposed to Ca2+ free solutions containing K+, Na+ (+ amiloride), Cs+ or Rb+ as main cation. This current component is inhibitable by micromolar concentrations of mucosal La3+ and divalent cations (Ca2+, Cd2+) and is considerably elevated by oxytocin (0.1 U/ml). The present study demonstrates that the addition of 50 nmol/l Ag+ to the mucosal medium during oxytocin treatment caused an additional large increase of the La3+-sensitive Isc component. The power density spectrum of the fluctuation in current contained a Lorentzian component which was enhanced by oxytocin treatment. The Lorentzian component disappeared as a consequence of the administration of mucosal Ag+. In experiments with Ca2+, Ba2+ or Mg2+ as principal mucosal cation, the La3+-sensitive Isc component was negligible under control conditions and during oxytocin treatment. Mucosal Ag+ (40 nmol/l) elicited a large inward oriented current which was blockable by the calcium channel blockers, La3+ and Cd2+. Also the organic calcium entry blockers, nicardipine and verapamil (10 mumol/l) depressed the inward current considerably. Noise analysis of the currents carried by divalent cations showed a La3+-sensitive noise component. Oxytocin-Ag+ activated currents could not be recorded in the absence of the divalent cations or small inorganic cations, e.g. with solutions which contained N-methyl D-glucamine (NMDG) as main mucosal cation.

Evidence for separate cellular origins of sodium and acid-base transport in the turtle bladder

Transmembrane electrical parameters of the epithelial cells in short-circuited turtle bladders were measured to determine whether those cells participating in Na reabsorption also participate in electrogenic transepithelial acidification and alkalinization. Amiloride-induced increases in intracellular potential (Vsca), apical fractional resistance (FRa), and concomitant decreases in short-circuit current (Isc) denote the participation of the impaled cells in Na reabsorption. In bladders from postabsorptive turtles, amiloride increased Vsca by -45 mV, increased FRa by 37%, and decreased Isc from 36 to -10 microA/cm2. In bladders from NaHCO3-loaded turtles, amiloride increased Vsca by -21 mV, FRa by 21%, and decreased Isc from 22 to 0 microA/cm2. Neither the subsequent inhibition of the negative acidification current in postabsorptive bladders, nor stimulation of positive alkalinization current in bladders from NaHCO3-loaded turtles was associated with any transmembrane electrical change that could be attributed to changes in those transport processes. It is concluded that the electrogenic luminal acidification and alkalinization processes of the turtle bladder are not produced by, or electrically coupled to, those cells that are involved in Na reabsorption.

Na+ and K+ transport at basolateral membranes of epithelial cells. I. Stoichiometry of the Na,K-ATPase

The stoichiometry of pump-mediated Na/K exchange was studied in isolated epithelial sheets of frog skin. 42K influx across basolateral membranes was measured with tissues in a steady state and incubated in either beakers or in chambers. The short-circuit current provided estimates of Na+ influx at the apical membranes of the cells. 42K influx of tissues bathed in Cl- or SO4-Ringer solution averaged approximately 8 microA/cm2. Ouabain inhibited 94% of the 42K influx. Furosemide was without effect on pre-ouabain-treated tissues but inhibited a ouabain-induced and Cl--dependent component of 42K influx. After taking into account the contribution of the Na+ load to the pump by way of basolateral membrane recycling of Na+, the stoichiometry was found to increase from approximately 2 to 6 as the pump-mediated Na+ transport rate increased from 10 to 70 microA/cm2. Extrapolation of the data to low rates of Na+ transport (less than 10 microA/cm2) indicated that the stoichiometry would be in the vicinity of 3:2. As pump-mediated K+ influx saturates with increasing rates of Na+ transport, Na+ efflux cannot be obligatorily coupled to K+ influx at all rates of transepithelial Na+ transport. These results are similar to those of Mullins and Brinley (1969. Journal of General Physiology. 53:504-740) in studies of the squid axon.

Basolateral membrane potential and conductance in frog skin exposed to high serosal potassium

In studies of apical membrane current-voltage relationships, in order to avoid laborious intracellular microelectrode techniques, tight epithelia are commonly exposed to high serosal K concentrations. This approach depends on the assumptions that high serosal K reduces the basolateral membrane resistance and potential to insignificantly low levels, so that transepithelial values can be attributed to the apical membrane. We have here examined the validity of these assumptions in frog skins (Rana pipiens pipiens). The skins were equilibrated in NaCl Ringer's solutions, with transepithelial voltage Vt clamped (except for brief perturbations delta Vt) at zero. The skins were impaled from the outer surface with 1.5 M KCl-filled microelectrodes (Rel greater than 30 M omega). The transepithelial (short-circuit) current It and conductance gt = -delta It/delta Vt, the outer membrane voltage Vo (apical reference) and voltage-divider ratio (Fo = delta Vo/delta Vt), and the microelectrode resistance Rel were recorded continuously. Intermittent brief apical exposure to 20 microM amiloride permitted estimation of cellular (c) and paracellular (p) currents and conductances. The basolateral (inner) membrane conductance was estimated by two independent means: either from values of gt and Fo before and after amiloride or as the ratio of changes (-delta Ic/delta Vi) induced by amiloride. On serosal substitution of Na by K, within about 10 min, Ic declined and gt increased markedly, mainly as a consequence of increase in gp. The basolateral membrane voltage Vi (= -Vo) was depolarized from 75 +/- 4 to 2 +/- 1 mV [mean +/- SEM (n = 6)], and was partially repolarized following amiloride to 5 +/- 2 mV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Implications of an anomalous intracellular electrical response in bullfrog corneal epithelium

The ionic dependencies of the transepithelial and intracellular electrical parameters were measured in the isolated frog cornea. In NaCl Ringer's the intracellular potential difference Vsc measured under short-circuit conditions depolarized by nearly the same amount after either increasing the stromal-side KCl concentration from 2.5 to 25 mM or exposure to 2 mM BaCl2 (K+ channel blocker). With Ba2+ the depolarization of the Vsc by 25 mM K+ was reduced to one-quarter of the control change. If the Cl-permselective apical membrane resistance Ro remained unchanged, the relative basolateral membrane resistance Ri, which includes the lateral intercellular space, increased at the most by less than twofold after Ba2+. These effects in conjunction with the depolarization of the Vsc by 62 mV after increasing the stromal-side K+ from 2.5 to 100 mM in Cl-free Ringer's as well as the increase of the apparent ratio of membrane resistances (a = Ro/Ri) from 13 to 32 are all indicative of an appreciable basolateral membrane K+ conductance. This ratio decreased significantly after exposure to either 25 mM K+ or Ba2+. The decline of Ro/Ri with 25 mM K+ appears to be anomalous since this decrease is not consistent with just an increase of basolateral membrane conductance by 25 mM K+, but rather perhaps a larger decrease of Ro than Ri. Also an increase of lateral space resistance may offset the effect of decreasing Ri with 25 mM K+. In contrast, Ro/Ri did transiently increase during voltage clamping of the apical membrane potential difference Vo and exposure to 25 mM K+ on the stromal side.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cell K activity in frog skin in the presence and absence of cell current

Cell K activity, acK, was measured in the short-circuited frog skin by simultaneous cell punctures from the apical surface with open-tip and K-selective microelectrodes. Strict criteria for acceptance of impalements included constancy of the open-tip microelectrode resistance, agreement within 3% of the fractional apical voltage measured with open-tip and K-selective microelectrodes, and constancy of the differential voltage recorded between the open-tip and the K microelectrodes 30-60 sec after application of amiloride or substitution of apical Na. Skins were bathed on the serosal surface with NaCl Ringer and, to reduce paracellular Cl conductance and effects of amiloride on paracellular conductance, with NaNO3 Ringer on the apical surface. Under control conditions acK was nearly constant among skins (mean +/- SD = 92 +/- 8 mM, 14 skins) in spite of a wide range of cellular currents (5 to 70 microA/cm2). Cell current (and transcellular Na transport) was inhibited by either apical addition of amiloride or substitution of Na by other cations. Although in some experiments the expected small increase in acK after inhibition of cell current was observed, on the average the change was not significant (98 +/- 11 mM after amiloride, 101 +/- 12 mM after Na substitution), even 30 min after the inhibition of cell current. The membrane potential, which in the control state ranged from -42 to -77 mV, hyperpolarized after inhibition of cell current, initially to -109 +/- 5 mV, then depolarizing to a stable value (-88 +/- 5 mV) after 15-25 min. At this time K was above equilibrium (EK = 98 +/- 2 mV), indicating that the active pump mechanism is still operating after inhibition of transcellular Na transport. The measurement of acK permitted the calculation of the passive K current and pump current under control conditions, assuming a "constant current source" with almost all of the basolateral conductance attributable to K. We found a significant correlation between pump current and cell current with a slope of 0.31, indicating that about one-third of the cell current is carried by the pump, i.e., a pump stoichiometry of 3Na/2K.

Electrogenic active proton pump in Rana esculenta skin and its role in sodium ion transport

Kinetic and electrophysiological studies were carried out in the in vitro Rana esculenta skin, bathed in dilute sodium solution, to characterize the proton pump and coupling between sodium absorption (JNa+n) and proton excretion (JH+n). JNa+n and JH+n were both dependent on transepithelial potential (psi ms); hyperpolarizing the skin decreased JNa+n and increased JH+n; depolarization produced the opposite effects. Amiloride (5 X 10(-5) M) at a clamped psi ms of +50 mV inhibited JNa+n without affecting JH+n. Variations of psi ms or pH had identical effects on JH+n. Ethoxzolamide inhibited JH+n and simultaneously increased psi ms by 15-30 mV. These changes were accompanied by depolarization of the apical membrane potential psi mc from -47 to -25 mV and an increase in apical membrane resistance of 30%; no significant effects on basolateral membrane potential (psi cs) and resistance (Rb) nor on shunt resistance (Rj) were observed. The proton pump appears to be localized at the apical membrane. The proton pump was also inhibited by deoxygenation, oligomycin, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and vanadate (100, 78, 83 and 100% inhibition respectively). The variations of JH+n and of the measured electrical currents were significantly correlated. These findings are supportive evidence of a primary active proton pump, electrogenic and strictly linked to aerobic metabolism. The current-voltage (I-V) relation of the proton pump was obtained as the difference in the I-V curves of the apical membrane extracted before and after proton-pump inhibition by ethoxzolamide during amiloride block of sodium transport. The proton-pump current (IP) was best described by a saturable exponential function of psi mc. Maximal pump current (ImaxP) was calculated to be 200 nequiv h-1 cm-2 at a psi mc of +50 mV and the pump reversal potential ERP was -130 mV. The effect of ethoxzolamide to depolarize psi mc was dependent on the relation between psi mc and ERP. Maximal induced depolarization occurred at a psi mc of +50 mV whereas ethoxzolamide exerted minimal effect on psi mc when the ERP was approached either by voltage clamping the apical membrane or by the addition of amiloride. We show that electroneutral sodium-proton countertransport is not the mechanism of active proton excretion in frog skin but that it is the proton excretion which provides a favourable electrical driving force for passive apical sodium entry.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Vanadate and ouabain: a comparative study in toad skin

In this study we compare the effects of two inhibitors of the Na,K-ATPase, ouabain and vanadate, upon transport properties of the isolated short-circuited toad skin: The main conclusions are: Both inhibitors induce a similar decline in short-circuit current (SCC). They differ regarding skin electrical resistance (R). Ouabain induces an increase in resistance that, after some delay, builds up slowly after its addition to the preparation, while vanadate causes a fast increase in resistance that remains constant for most of the experimental period. Vanadate, but not ouabain, promotes an unspecific increase in skin permeability characterized by a delayed and progressive rise of 42K (JK eff) and 14C sucrose (J suc eff) effluxes. Vanadate effect upon skin permeability, as measured by JK eff, is not affected by pre-treating the skin with DIDS, a stilbene derivative, indicating that anion-exchange is not an important step for the entrance of vanadate into the epithelial cells to trigger its effect. Vanadate effect upon JK eff is also not affected by previous ouabain inhibition of the Na,K-ATPase, showing that this effect is not mediated by the inhibition of this enzyme. Vanadate action in toad skin seems to occur at junctional structures opening paracellular routes. A possible mechanism for the effect of vanadate is discussed in terms of cytosolic Ca2+ balance, cytoskeleton and their interplay with the sealing of tight junctions.

Microelectrode study of K+ accumulation by tight epithelia: I. Baseline values of split frog skin and toad urinary bladder

Toad bladder and split frog skin were impaled with fine-tipped single- and double-barrelled K+-selective microelectrodes. In order to circumvent membrane damage induced by impaling toad bladder, a null point method was developed, involving elevations of mucosal potassium concentration. The results suggest that intracellular potassium activity of short-circuited toad bladder is approximately 82 mM, twice as large as earlier estimates. Far more stable and rigorously defined intracellular measurements were recorded from short-circuited split frog skins. The intracellular positions of the micropipette and microelectrode tips were verified by transient hyperpolarizations of the membrane potential with mucosal amiloride or by transient depolarizations with serosal barium or strophanthidin. Simultaneous impalement of distant cells with separate micropipettes demonstrated that both the baseline membrane potentials and the responses to depolarizing agents were similar, further documenting that frog skin is a functional syncytium. Measurements with double-barrelled microelectrodes and simultaneous single-barrelled microelectrodes and reference micropipettes suggest that the intracellular potassium activity is about 104 mM, lower than previously reported. Taken together with measurements of intracellular potassium concentration, this datum suggests that potassium is uniformly distributed within the epithelial cells.

Noise analysis of inward and outward Na+ currents across the apical border of ouabain-treated frog skin

The passive Na+ transport across the apical membrane of frog skin (Rana catesbeiana) was studied under the following circumstances: (1) control conditions (sulfate Ringer's, K+ depolarised serosal membranes); (2) after blocking the active transport step with ouabain; (3) with an outward oriented Na+ current. The amiloride-induced Na+ current fluctuations were analysed to calculate the density of amiloride blockable channels and the current through one single channel. Despite the large reduction of the macroscopic current by ouabain, the single channel current remained unchanged, while the number of amiloride blockable Na+ channels was reduced by a factor of eight. It is concluded from these observations that the earlier described reduction of the permeability of the apical membrane is caused by a decrease of the number of electrically conductive Na+ channels. The outward oriented single channel currents were less than 50% of the currents in the opposite direction. After ouabain, the number of Na+ channels was independent from the current direction.

Effect of amiloride on electrolyte transport parameters of the main duct of the rabbit mandibular salivary gland

We have studied the response of the rabbit mandibular main duct perfused in vitro to luminally administered amiloride. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (KI) when the duct was bathed in Cl solutions were: for net Na+ transport, 3 X 10(-6) mol l-1; for transepithelial potential difference, 6 X 10(-6) mol l-1; and for transepithelial conductance, 3 X 10(-7) mol l-1. Substitution of the impermeant SO2-(4) anion for Cl- changed the KI for conductance to 3 X 10(-6) mol l-1. Within Cl- -containing media, the time course of the amiloride effect on potential difference showed an early rapid fall of 10 mV with a half-time 2 s, followed by a slower depolarization of 9 mV, and the conductance change followed the slower component of the potential change. In SO2-(4)-containing media, the potential difference and conductance changes followed time courses similar to one another. Finally, experiments on the effect of serosal applications of ouabain revealed that, although, in general, ouabain reduced resistance, it caused an increase in resistance in those ducts where the initial resistance was low. We conclude that: i) luminal Na+ transport occurs via amiloride-sensitive, conductive Na+ channels; ii) the Cl- conductance is the major determinant of transepithelial conductance; iii) the first phase of the potential response is due to blocking of the Na+ conductive channels, whilst the slow phase reflects secondary inhibition of an electrogenic Na+ pump; and iv) duct resistance changes are secondary to alterations in intracellular Cl- concentration.

Membrane potential plays a dual role for chloride transport across toad skin

The Cl- -current through toad skin epithelium depends on the potential in a way consistent with a potential-controlled Cl- permeability. Computer analysis of the Koefoed-Johnsen Ussing two-membrane model provided with constant membrane permeabilities indicates that the voltage- and time-dependent currents are not caused by a trivial Goldmand-type rectification and ion redistributions following transepithelial potential pertubations. Extended with a dynamic Cl- permeability in the apical membrane according to a Hodgkin-Huxley kinetic scheme, the model predicts voltage clamp data which closely resemble experimental observations. This extension of the classic frog skin model implies that the Cl- permeability is activated by a voltage change caused by the inward Na+ current through the apical membrane.

Effects of Na-coupled alanine transport on intracellular K activities and the K conductance of the basolateral membranes of Necturus small intestine

Intracellular electrical potentials and K activity, (K)c, were determined simultaneously in Necturus small intestine before and after the addition of alanine to the mucosal solution. As noted previously (Gunter-Smith, Grasset & Schultz, 1982), the addition of alanine to the mucosal solution resulted in a prompt depolarization of the electrical potential difference across the apical membrane (psi mc) and a decrease in the slope resistance of that barrier (rm). This initial response was followed by a slower repolarization of psi mc associated with a decrease in the slope resistance of the basolateral membrane (rs) so that when the steady state was achieved (rm/rs) did not differ significantly from control values in the absence of alanine. In the absence of alanine, psi mc averaged -32 mV and (K)c averaged 67 mM. When a steady state was achieved in the presence of alanine these values averaged -24 mV and 50 mM, respectively. The steady-state electrochemical potential differences for K across the basolateral membrane in the absence and presence of alanine did not differ significantly. Inasmuch as the rate of transcellular active Na transport or "pump activity" was increased two- to threefold in the presence of alanine, it follows that, if active Na extrusion across the basolateral membrane is coupled to active K uptake across that barrier with a fixed stoichiometry then, the decrease in rs must be due to an increase in the conductance of the basolateral membrane to K that parallels the increase in "pump activity". This "homocellular" regulatory mechanism serves to (i) prevent an increase in (K)c due to an increase in pump activity; and, (ii) repolarize psi mc and thus restore the electrical driving force for the rheogenic Na-coupled entry processes.

Effects of changes in serosal chloride on electrical properties of toad urinary bladder

Conventional microelectrode and tracer flux techniques were used to study the effects of reduction in serosal chloride concentration ([Cl]s) on the electrical properties of toad urinary bladder epithelium. Reduction in [Cl]s resulted in a transient change in transepithelial potential (Vms) (and of apical and basolateral membrane potentials) that was inversely dependent on the base-line values of those potentials. In all cases, however, there was a decrease in transepithelial resistance (Rt) that was explained by an increase in the sodium conductance of the apical membrane. In tissues in which the transepithelial potential increased, there was a rise in the active mucosal-to-serosal sodium flux. The increase in conductance was directly related to the increase in short-circuit current. The changes in Vms and Rt brought about by reduction in [Cl]s were prevented by agents known to modify sodium transport, including low mucosal sodium concentration, addition of amiloride or amphotericin B to the mucosal solution, or of ouabain to the serosal solution. The results are best explained by a primary effect of chloride reduction on sodium extrusion across the basolateral membrane, with a secondary increase in apical sodium conductance. In addition, the data provide new evidence for the existence of a basolateral chloride conductance pathway.

Microelectrode studies of the effect of lanthanum on the electrical potential and resistance of outer and inner cell membranes of isolated frog skin

Microelectrodes were used to investigate the effect of 0.5 mM mucosal lanthanum (La3+) on the intracellular potential and the resistance of outer and inner isolated frog skin (Rana esculenta) cell membranes. Under short-circuit conditions, the transapical membrane potential Vsco (mean value = -65.4 +/- 3.2 mV, inside negative) hyperpolarized to -108.7 +/- 2.3 mV in control skins, after addition of the sodium blocker amiloride. Current-voltage curves for the outer and inner membranes were constructed from the amiloride-inhibitable current versus the outer membrane potential Vo or the inner membrane potential Vi. The outer, and to a lesser degree the inner, membrane showed a characteristic nonlinearity with two slope resistances. Addition of La3+ to the outer medium increased the short-circuit current to 190% of the control value. Vsco concomitantly changed to -28 +/- 3.5 mV and outer and inner membrane resistances fell, considerably attenuating the nonlinearity seen in control skins. La3+ is suggested to raise the conductance by its effect on the surface potential. A secondary long-term inhibitory effect of La3+ on short-circuit current has been observed. It is ascribed to the penetration of La3+ into the sodium channels.

Control of sodium permeability of the outer barrier in toad skin

The 24Na efflux (JNaeff) (i.e., the rate of appearance of 24Na in the outer compartment) in the isolated short-circuited toad skin bathed by NaCl-Ringer's solution on both sides is composed of para- and transcellular components of almost equal magnitudes. This relies on the assumption that amiloride acts on the transcellular component only and could block it completely. Ouabain induces a large transient increase of the transcellular component. This increase, which starts within a few minutes after the addition of ouabain, is due to electrical depolarization of the outer barrier, rather than a consequence of blocking Na recirculation across the inner barrier. The subsequent decline of JNaeff, which takes place after the ouabain-induced JNaeff peak, is due to a progressive block of outer barrier Na channels with time, which can eventually be complete, depending on the duration of action of ouabain. As the external Na concentration was always kept high and constant in these experiments, the results indicate that a rise in cell Na concentration, and not in the outer bathing solution, is the signal that triggers the reduction of outer barrier Na permeability (PNao). Ouabain has no effect upon JNaeff with Na-free solution bathing the outer and NaCl-Ringer's solution the inner skin surface, showing the importance of Na penetration across the outer barrier, and not across the inner barrier due to its low Na permeability, in the process of closing the Na channels of this structure. Step changes from Na 115 mM to Na-free external solution, or vice-versa, may affect both the outer barrier electrical potential difference (PDo) and cell Na concentration (Na)c. Therefore, the behavior of JNaeff depends on which variable (if PDo or (Na)c regulated outer barrier Na permeability) is most affected by step changes in outer bathing solution Na concentration. Amiloride in the control condition blocks the transcellular component of JNaeff. However, in the condition of approximate short-circuiting of the outer barrier and high cellular Na concentration induced by long term effects of ouabain, when the Na channels of the outer barrier are already blocked by elevated cell Na concentration, amiloride may induce the opposite effect, increasing Na permeability of the outer barrier. With outer barrier Na channels completely blocked by high cell Na concentration, PCMB in the outer bathing medium induces a large increase of JNaeff, rendering these channels again amiloride sensitive. The results are consistent with the notion that Na efflux from cell compartment to the outer bathing solution goes through the amiloride-sensitive Na channels of the apical border of the superficial cell layer of toad skin, with an apparent Na permeability modulated by cell ionic environment, most probably the cell Na concentration.

Relationship of transepithelial electrical potential to membrane potentials and conductance ratios in frog skin

Previous studies in anuran epithelia have shown that, after clamping the transepithelial voltage in symmetrical sequences for 4-6 min there is near-constancy of the rate of active Na transport and the associated oxidative metabolism, with a near-linear potential dependence of both. Here we have investigated in frog skin the cellular electrophysiolgical events associated with voltage clamping (Vt = inside-outside potential). Increase and decrease of Vt produced converse effects, related directly to the magnitude of Vt. Hyperpolarization resulted in prompt decrease in inward transepithelial current It and increase in fractional outer membrane resistance fRo (as evaluated from small transient voltage perturbations) and in outer membrane potential Vo. Overshoot of Vo was followed by relaxation to a quasi-steady state in minutes. Changes in fRo were progressive, with half times of some 1-5 sec. Changes in transepithelial slope conductance gt were more variable, usually preventing precise evaluation of the outer and inner cell membrane conductances go and gi. Nevertheless, it was shown that go is related inversely to Vt and Vo. Presuming insensitivity of gi to Vt, the dependence of Go on Vo in the steady state much exceeds that predicted by the constant field equation. Apparent inconsistencies with earlier results of others may be attributable to differences in protocol and the complex dependence of go on Vo and/or cellular-current. In contrast to previous findings in tight epithelia at open circuit, differences in Vt were associated with substantial differences in fRo and inner membrane potential Vi. Hyperpolarization of Vt over ranges commonly employed in studies of active transport ad metabolism appears to increase significantly the electrochemical work per Na ion transported.

Transepithelial Na+ transport and the intracellular fluids: a computer study

Computer simulations of tight epithelia under three experimental conditions have been carried out, using the rheogenic nonlinear model of Lew, Ferreira and Moura (Proc. Roy. Soc. London. B 206:53-83, 1979) based largely on the formulation of Koefoed-Johnsen and Ussing (Acta Physiol. Scand. 42: 298-308. 1958). First, analysis of the transition between the short-circuited and open-circuited states has indicated that (i) apical Cl- permeability is a critical parameter requiring experimental definition in order to analyze cell volume regulation, and (ii) contrary to certain experimental reports, intracellular Na+ concentration (ccNa) is expected to be a strong function of transepithelial clamping voltage. Second, analysis of the effects of lowering serosal K+ concentration (csK) indicates that the basic model cannot simulate several well-documented observations; these defects can be overcome, at least qualitatively, by modifying the model to take account of the negative feedback interaction likely to exist between the apical Na+ permeability and ccNa. Third, analysis of the strongly supports the concept that osmotically induced permeability changes in the apical intercellular junctions play a physiological role in conserving the body's stores of NaCl. The analyses also demonstrate that the importance of Na+ entry across the basolateral membrane is strongly dependent upon transepithelial potential, cmNa and csK; under certain conditions, net Na+ entry could be appreciably greater across the basolateral than across the apical membrane.

Tizolemide-induced changes of passive transport components across the basolateral membrane of isolated frog skin

The effect on transepithelial Na transport of tizolemide was investigated in isolated frog skin (Rana temporaria). It was found that tizolemide (2-5 mM, serosal side) decreased transepithelial Na transport (measured as short circuit current and as net sodium flux) within 60 min to 25-40% of the control level resulting from reduction of the unidirectional sodium influx. Intracellular recording with microelectrodes revealed that these changes were associated with depolarization of the intracellular space to less than 40% of the control values (averaging - 71.7 +/- 5.1 mV) which is a consequence of a decrease in conductance of the basolateral border to about 25% of the control values. The conductance of the apical border was only slightly reduced. It is suggested that tizolemide blocks the partial conductance of potassium at the basolateral border which secondarily diminishes transepithelial Na transport due to a decrease of the driving force for apical border Na entry. A certain degree of inhibition of the Na-K-ATPase by tizolemide cannot be excluded. When vasopressin (ADH) was added to frog skin after treatment with tizolemide, the response was markedly reduced compared to that of untreated control preparations. Under these conditions, the conductance of the basolateral border increased while the apical border remained little influenced by the hormone--opposite to the response of frog skins under control conditions. It is concluded that the mode of action of ADH is more complex than has been recognized hitherto and includes effects at the basolateral border.

Electrophysiologic changes associated with potassium depletion of frog skin

Skins from the frog Rana pipiens pipiens were studied under short-circuited conditions during the course of removing and replacing potassium in the inner bathing media in 14 experiments. The intracellular potential (Vsc), fractional resistance (FR), short-circuit current (Isc) and total tissue conductance (gr) were constantly monitored during impalements of the epithelial cells. The mean value (+/- SE) for Vsc was --79 (+/- 3) mV under baseline conditions. Removal of potassium from the inner bathing solution transiently stimulated the short-circuit current and hyperpolarized the basolateral membrane; with sufficiently long incubations, the basolateral membrane was eventually depolarized. Restoration of potassium to the inner solution within 43 min after initiating the perfusion with K+-free solution depolarized the basolateral membrane. However, restoration of potassium after at least 1 1/2 hr of incubation hyperpolarized the membrane. Ouabain consistently depolarized the basolateral membrane, even after extended periods of potassium depletion as long as 320 min. In the presence of ouabain, restoration of potassium depolarized the basolateral membrane. The data provide further evidence for the concept that the Na--K exchange pump of frog skin is rheogenic. Furthermore, the results suggest that the pump continues to be active even during prolonged periods of potassium depletion, reaccumulating potassium which has leaked out of the epithelial cells.

Mechanism of action of aldosterone on active sodium transport across toad skin

Epithelium of the abdominal skin of the toad, Bufo marinus, has been studied by microelectrode impalement. Using an electrical equivalent circuit model, effective EMF's and specific conductances of the apical and basolateral membrane could be calculated. The skin was divided into 2 fragments for incubation in the presence, or not, of aldosterone (greater than or equal to 0.1 microM). After incubation overnight, sodium transport by the hormone-treated piece was increased 2.7-fold on average, compared to the untreated control. Concomitantly, conductance of the apical border increased more than 3-fold. Furthermore, mean conductance and electromotive force at the basolateral border increased by 80% and by 10%, respectively. Whether the latter changes merely represent delayed adaptation to increased apical conductance, cannot be settled from the data available.