Modulation of bioelectric properties across alveolar type II cells by substratum

Lung epithelial fluid transport and the resolution of pulmonary edema

The discovery of mechanisms that regulate salt and water transport by the alveolar and distal airway epithelium of the lung has generated new insights into the regulation of lung fluid balance under both normal and pathological conditions. There is convincing evidence that active sodium and chloride transporters are expressed in the distal lung epithelium and are responsible for the ability of the lung to remove alveolar fluid at the time of birth as well as in the mature lung when pathological conditions lead to the development of pulmonary edema. Currently, the best described molecular transporters are the epithelial sodium channel, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, Na+-K+-ATPase, and several aquaporin water channels. Both catecholamine-dependent and -independent mechanisms can upregulate isosmolar fluid transport across the distal lung epithelium. Experimental and clinical studies have made it possible to examine the role of these transporters in the resolution of pulmonary edema.

Basal lamina of ovarian follicle regulates an inward Cl(-) current in differentiated granulosa cells

Patch-clamp experiments were conducted to study the effects of basal lamina (basement membrane) of preovulatory chicken ovarian follicle on membrane currents in differentiated chicken granulosa cells in a homologous system. The membrane capacitance (measure of total membrane area) was smaller in cells cultured on intact basal lamina than that of control cells. The granulosa cells expressed outward and two inward currents. A small fraction of the cells (3%) expressed only a transient fast-activating and -inactivating inward current carried by Ca(2+). The majority of the cells, however, expressed a slowly activating and inactivating inward current (carried by Cl(-)) that was superimposed on the transient Ca(2+) current. All cells expressed an outward current characteristic of the delayed-rectifier K(+) current. The removal of extracellular Ca(2+) led to elimination of the slow inward Cl(-) current, indicating that it is a Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) current. Both peak amplitude and current density of the inward Cl(-) current were significantly lower in cells cultured on freshly isolated intact basal lamina (or basal lamina stored at 4 degrees C for 12 mo) than those of control cells; however, basal lamina had no significant effect on the density of the outward current. Similar to the observations made for intact basal lamina, solubilized basal lamina suppressed the inward Cl(-) current in differentiated granulosa cells. These data show that homologous basal lamina modulates a Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) current in differentiated granulosa cells. These findings provide a partial explanation for the mechanisms that subserve the reported effects of basal lamina (basement membrane) on the metabolic functions of differentiated granulosa cells.

Effect of basal lamina of ovarian follicle on T- and L-type Ca(2+) currents in differentiated granulosa cells

Patch clamp experiments were conducted to study the effects of basal lamina (basement membrane) of chicken ovarian follicle on membrane Ca(2+) currents in differentiated chicken granulosa cells in a homologous system. The whole cell patch clamp technique was used to simultaneously monitor membrane capacitance (an indirect measure of total cell surface area) and currents flowing through voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (using Ba(2+) as the charge carrier). Membrane capacitance was smaller in cells incubated on intact basal lamina than in control cells (incubated on tissue culture-treated plastic substratum). Granulosa cells expressed both T- and L-type Ca(2+) currents, and the amplitudes of the currents in cells incubated on intact basal lamina were significantly lower than those of control cells. Also, granulosa cells incubated on intact basal lamina were found to have significantly lower T- or L-type Ca(2+) current densities than control cells. Intact basal lamina that had been stored for 12 mo produced effects on T- and L-type Ca(2+) currents similar to those caused by freshly isolated basal lamina. The basal lamina was solubilized completely in one step and used to coat glass coverslips (uncoated glass coverslips served as controls). Granulosa cells incubated on coverslips precoated with solubilized basal lamina assumed spherical shape similar to those incubated on intact basal lamina. Similar to the observations made for intact basal lamina, the solubilized basal lamina suppressed T- and L-type Ca(2+) currents in the differentiated granulosa cells. Moreover, fibronectin, laminin, and type IV collagen, obtained from commercial sources, attenuated T- and L-type Ca(2+) currents in the differentiated granulosa cells. This interplay between basal lamina and Ca(2+) currents may be one mechanism that subserves the effects of the matrix material on metabolic functions of granulosa cells.

Expression of highly selective sodium channels in alveolar type II cells is determined by culture conditions

Alveolar fluid clearance in the developing and mature lungs is believed to be mediated by some form of epithelial Na channels (ENaC). However, single-channel studies using isolated alveolar type II (ATII) cells have failed to demonstrate consistently the presence of highly selective Na+ channels that would be expected from ENaC expression. We postulated that in vitro culture conditions might be responsible for alterations in the biophysical properties of Na+ conductances observed in cultured ATII cells. When ATII cells were grown on glass plates submerged in media that lacked steroids, the predominant channel was a 21-pS nonselective cation channel (NSC) with a Na+-to-K+ selectivity of 1; however, when grown on permeable supports in the presence of steroids and air interface, the predominant channel was a low-conductance (6.6 +/- 3.4 pS, n = 94), highly Na+-selective channel (HSC) with a P(Na)/P(K) >80 that is inhibited by submicromolar concentrations of amiloride (K(0.5) = 37 nM) and is similar in biophysical properties to ENaC channels described in other epithelia. To establish the relationship of this HSC channel to the cloned ENaC, we employed antisense oligonucleotide methods to inhibit the individual subunit proteins of ENaC (alpha, beta, and gamma) and used patch-clamp techniques to determine the density of this channel in apical membrane patches of ATII cells. Overnight treatment of cells with antisense oligonucleotides to any of the three subunits of ENaC resulted in a significant decrease in the density of HSC channels in the apical membrane cell-attached patches. Taken together, these results show that when grown on permeable supports in the presence of steroids and air interface, the predominant channels expressed in ATII cells have single-channel characteristics resembling channels that are associated with the coexpression of the three cloned ENaC subunits alpha-, beta-, and gamma-ENaC.

Sodium channels in alveolar epithelial cells: molecular characterization, biophysical properties, and physiological significance

At birth, fetal distal lung epithelial (FDLE) cells switch from active chloride secretion to active sodium (Na+) reabsorption. Sodium ions enter the FDLE and alveolar type II (ATII) cells mainly through apical nonselective cation and Na(+)-selective channels, with conductances of 4-26 pS (picoSiemens) in FDLE and 20-25 pS in ATII cells. All these channels are inhibited by amiloride with a 50% inhibitory concentration of < 1 microM, and some are also inhibited by [N-ethyl-N-isopropyl]-2'-4'-amiloride (50% inhibitory concentration of < 1 microM). Both FDLE and ATII cells contain the alpha-, beta-, and gamma-rENaC (rat epithelial Na+ channels) mRNAs; reconstitution of an ATII cell Na(+)-channel protein into lipid bilayers revealed the presence of 25-pS Na+ single channels, inhibited by amiloride and [N-ethyl-N-isopropyl]-2'-4'-amiloride. A variety of agents, including cAMP, oxygen, glucocorticoids, and in some cases Ca2+, increased the activity and/or rENaC mRNA levels. The phenotypic properties of these channels differ from those observed in other Na(+)-absorbing epithelia. Pharmacological blockade of alveolar Na+ transport in vivo, as well as experiments with newborn alpha-rENaC knock-out mice, demonstrate the importance of active Na+ transport in the reabsorption of fluid from the fetal lung and in reabsorbing alveolar fluid in the injured adult lung. Indeed, in a number of inflammatory diseases, increased production of reactive oxygen-nitrogen intermediates, such as peroxynitrite (ONOO-), may damage ATII and FDLE Na+ channels, decrease Na+ reabsorption in vivo, and thus contribute to the formation of alveolar edema.

Laminin inhibits Cl- -secretion across canine tracheal epithelium

We examined the effect of laminin (a major component of the basement membrane) on potential difference (PD) and short circuit current (SCC) in both posterior epithelial membranes (native tissue) and cultured epithelial cell layers from canine trachea using an Ussing chamber. Although laminin itself did not alter the baseline values of SCC or PD, it significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner the isoproterenol induced SCC and PD rises of the epithelial membrane. In the cultured epithelial layer treated with amiloride, laminin did not alter the baseline values of SCC, PD or resistance (R) but it significantly inhibited the isoproterenol induced SCC rises. However, laminin did not significantly inhibit the bradykinin induced SCC rise in the cultured epithelial layer treated with amiloride. These findings indicate that laminin is a determinant in ion transport (mainly Cl- secretion) across canine tracheal epithelium, inhibiting the beta-agonist induced Cl- transport.

Significance of ion transport during lung development and in respiratory disease of the newborn

Active ion transport plays a critical role in the liquid movement across the fetal and perinatal lung epithelium. The fetal lung liquid production is coupled with active secretion of Cl- into the luminal space. The potential for fluid absorbing mechanisms related to active Na+ transport from the apical to the basolateral side of the epithelium appears near the end of gestation. At birth there is a dramatic change of environment with commencement of air-breathing, sudden increase in oxygen partial pressure (PO2) and profound changes in the pulmonary circulation. A concurrent switch from fluid secretion to maintenance of low amounts of alveolar fluid is another major physiological adjustment taking place in the perinatal distal lung epithelium. The fluid-absorbing mechanism is a result of a well-synchronized co-operation between the basolateral membrane Na-K-ATPase and the apical membrane Na+ channels and it promotes salt and water movement from the airspace. Inability of the fetal lung epithelium to switch from fluid secretion to Na+ transport-dependent absorption seems to be an important factor adversely contributing to the respiratory distress of the newborn premature infant.

Cationic proteins increase the permeability of cultured rabbit tracheal epithelial cells: modification by heparin and extracellular calcium

Airway inflammation is a consistent finding in asthma, and increased amounts of eosinophil-derived cationic proteins are present in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from asthmatic subjects. Tracheal instillation of a variety of naturally occurring and synthetic cationic proteins has been shown to induce airway hyperresponsiveness in animal models. Cationic proteins may alter the barrier function of airway epithelium, allowing increased access of agonists to underlying nerves and airway smooth muscle. To examine the effect of cationic proteins on airway epithelial cell function, rabbit tracheal epithelial cells were isolated and cultured on collagen-coated filter membranes. Both apical and basolateral exposure of the cell cultures to poly-L-lysine and poly-L-arginine decreased transepithelial electrical resistance (Rt) over 60 min. There were no discernable light microscopic changes in the morphology of the cultures at 60 min after poly-L-lysine exposure, but permeability to mannitol was increased compared to controls. Evidence for the critical role of cationic charge included the following observations: (1) Poly-L-aspartate, an anionic polyamino acid, had no significant effect on Rt, and (2) the addition of heparin prior to the addition of poly-L-lysine blocked the reduction in Rt. Furthermore, when applied after poly-L-lysine addition, heparin reversed the decrease in Rt in a time-dependent fashion. Increasing the [Ca2+] in the medium from 1 to 10 mM resulted in significant attenuation of the response to polycation addition. These findings suggest that cationic proteins significantly alter the barrier properties of airway epithelium and that cationic charge is a crucial factor. This alteration is not an "all or none" phenomenon, since subsequent addition of heparin resulted in a reversal of the effect. While the precise mechanisms responsible for these observations remain to be elucidated, cationic proteins may be modifying the interaction of extracellular calcium with tight junctions thereby resulting in increased permeability. The barrier function of the epithelium may be perturbed in asthma and a variety of other airway diseases through the presence of cationic proteins derived from inflammatory cells within the airway lumen and/or the subepithelium.

The effect of fibronectin on cytoskeleton structure and transepithelial resistance of alveolar type II cells in primary culture

The cytoskeleton of alveolar type II cells on different matrices has been examined, and the bioelectric properties of these cells grown as monolayers in primary culture has be measured using Ussing-type chambers, to determine whether the extracellular matrix affects the cytoskeletal organization of alveolar type II cells and whether any such interactions influence their physiological functions. Alveolar type II cells cultured on a fibronectin substratum spread slowly over a 6-day period to produce cells of extremely large diameter. The cytoskeletal structure of these cells was characterized by a more marked accumulation of large bundles of actin and a finer network of keratin than cells grown on a collagen substratum. The transepithelial resistances of monolayers grown on a fibronectin substratum were much higher than those on a collagen substratum. These results indicate that alveolar type II cells cultured on fibronectin can form tighter, better organized and more polarized monolayers in primary culture, which suggests that fibronectin may have a physiologically important role in the maintenance of the alveolar wall.