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Bourgeois S, Houillier P. State of knowledge on ammonia handling by the kidney. Pflugers Arch 2024; 476:517-531. [PMID: 38448728 PMCID: PMC11006756 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-024-02940-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The disposal of ammonia, the main proton buffer in the urine, is important for acid-base homeostasis. Renal ammonia excretion is the predominant contributor to renal net acid excretion, both under basal condition and in response to acidosis. New insights into the mechanisms of renal ammonia production and transport have been gained in the past decades. Ammonia is the only urinary solute known to be produced in the kidney and selectively transported through the different parts of the nephron. Both molecular forms of total ammonia, NH3 and NH4+, are transported by specific proteins. Proximal tubular ammoniagenesis and the activity of these transport processes determine the eventual fate of total ammonia produced and excreted by the kidney. In this review, we summarized the state of the art of ammonia handling by the kidney and highlighted the newest processes described in the last decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soline Bourgeois
- Institut of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Pascal Houillier
- Centre de Recherche Des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Centre National de La Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), EMR 8228, Paris, France
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2
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Verlander JW, Lee HW, Wall SM, Harris AN, Weiner ID. The proximal tubule through an NBCe1-dependent mechanism regulates collecting duct phenotypic and remodeling responses to acidosis. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2023; 324:F12-F29. [PMID: 36264886 PMCID: PMC9762982 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00175.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The renal response to acid-base disturbances involves phenotypic and remodeling changes in the collecting duct. This study examines whether the proximal tubule controls these responses. We examined mice with genetic deletion of proteins present only in the proximal tubule, either the A variant or both A and B variants of isoform 1 of the electrogenic Na+-bicarbonate cotransporter (NBCe1). Both knockout (KO) mice have spontaneous metabolic acidosis. We then determined the collecting duct phenotypic responses to this acidosis and the remodeling responses to exogenous acid loading. Despite the spontaneous acidosis in NBCe1-A KO mice, type A intercalated cells in the inner stripe of the outer medullary collecting duct (OMCDis) exhibited decreased height and reduced expression of H+-ATPase, anion exchanger 1, Rhesus B glycoprotein, and Rhesus C glycoprotein. Combined kidney-specific NBCe1-A/B deletion induced similar changes. Ultrastructural imaging showed decreased apical plasma membrane and increased vesicular H+-ATPase in OMCDis type A intercalated cell in NBCe1-A KO mice. Next, we examined the collecting duct remodeling response to acidosis. In wild-type mice, acid loading increased the proportion of type A intercalated cells in the connecting tubule (CNT) and OMCDis, and it decreased the proportion of non-A, non-B intercalated cells in the connecting tubule, and type B intercalated cells in the cortical collecting duct (CCD). These changes were absent in NBCe1-A KO mice. We conclude that the collecting duct phenotypic and remodeling responses depend on proximal tubule-dependent signaling mechanisms blocked by constitutive deletion of proximal tubule NBCe1 proteins.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study shows that the proximal tubule regulates collecting duct phenotypic and remodeling responses to acidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Susan M Wall
- Renal Division, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Autumn N Harris
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Deparment of Small Animal Clinical Science, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Gainesville Veterans Administration Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
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Lee HW, Verlander JW, Shull GE, Harris AN, Weiner ID. Acid-base effects of combined renal deletion of NBCe1-A and NBCe1-B. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2022; 322:F208-F224. [PMID: 35001662 PMCID: PMC8836747 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00358.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms regulating ammonia metabolism are fundamental to acid-base homeostasis. Deletion of the A splice variant of Na+-bicarbonate cotransporter, electrogenic, isoform 1 (NBCe1-A) partially blocks the effect of acidosis to increase urinary ammonia excretion, and this appears to involve the dysregulated expression of ammoniagenic enzymes in the proximal tubule (PT) in the cortex but not in the outer medulla (OM). A second NBCe1 splice variant, NBCe1-B, is present throughout the PT, including the OM, where NBCe1-A is not present. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of combined renal deletion of NBCe1-A and NBCe1-B on systemic and PT ammonia metabolism. We generated NBCe1-A/B deletion using Cre-loxP techniques and used Cre-negative mice as controls. As renal NBCe1-A and NBCe1-B expression is limited to the PT, Cre-positive mice had PT NBCe1-A/B deletion [PT-NBCe1-A/B knockout (KO)]. Although on a basal diet, PT-NBCe1-A/B KO mice had severe metabolic acidosis, yet urinary ammonia excretion was not changed significantly. PT-NBCe1-A/B KO decreased the expression of phosphate-dependent glutaminase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and increased the expression of glutamine synthetase, an ammonia-recycling enzyme, in PTs in both the cortex and OM. Exogenous acid loading increased ammonia excretion in control mice, but PT-NBCe1-A/B KO prevented any increase. PT-NBCe1-A/B KO significantly blunted acid loading-induced changes in phosphate-dependent glutaminase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and glutamine synthetase expression in PTs in both the cortex and OM. We conclude that NBCe1-B, at least in the presence of NBCe1-A deletion, contributes to PT ammonia metabolism in the OM and thereby to systemic acid-base regulation.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The results of the present study show that combined deletion of both A and B splice variants of electrogenic Na+-bicarbonate cotransporter 1 from the proximal tubule impairs acid-base homeostasis and completely blocks changes in ammonia excretion in response to acidosis, indicating that both proteins are critical to acid-base homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Gary E Shull
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Autumn N Harris
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Deparment of Small Animal Clinical Science, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Gainesville Veterans Administration Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
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Weiner ID, Verlander JW. Emerging Features of Ammonia Metabolism and Transport in Acid-Base Balance. Semin Nephrol 2020; 39:394-405. [PMID: 31300094 DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2019.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ammonia metabolism has a critical role in acid-base homeostasis and in other cellular functions. Kidneys have a central role in bicarbonate generation, which occurs through the process of net acid excretion; ammonia metabolism is the quantitatively greatest component of net acid excretion, both under basal conditions and in response to acid-base disturbances. Several recent studies have advanced our understanding substantially of the molecular mechanisms and regulation of ammonia metabolism. First, the previous paradigm that ammonia transport could be explained by passive NH3 diffusion and NH4+ trapping has been advanced by the recognition that specific transport of NH3 and of NH4+ by specific membrane proteins is critical to ammonia transport. Second, significant advances have been made in the understanding of the regulation of ammonia metabolism. Novel studies have shown that hyperkalemia directly inhibits ammonia metabolism, thereby leading to the metabolic acidosis present in type IV renal tubular acidosis. Other studies have shown that the proximal tubule protein NBCe1, specifically the A variant NBCe1-A, has a major role in regulating renal ammonia metabolism. Third, there are important sex differences in ammonia metabolism that involve structural and functional differences in the kidney. This review addresses these important aspects of ammonia metabolism and transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL; Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Gainesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, FL.
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
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Abstract
Acid-base balance is critical for normal life. Acute and chronic disturbances impact cellular energy metabolism, endocrine signaling, ion channel activity, neuronal activity, and cardiovascular functions such as cardiac contractility and vascular blood flow. Maintenance and adaptation of acid-base homeostasis are mostly controlled by respiration and kidney. The kidney contributes to acid-base balance by reabsorbing filtered bicarbonate, regenerating bicarbonate through ammoniagenesis and generation of protons, and by excreting acid. This review focuses on acid-base disorders caused by renal processes, both inherited and acquired. Distinct rare inherited monogenic diseases affecting acid-base handling in the proximal tubule and collecting duct have been identified. In the proximal tubule, mutations of solute carrier 4A4 (SLC4A4) (electrogenic Na+/HCO3--cotransporter Na+/bicarbonate cotransporter e1 [NBCe1]) and other genes such as CLCN5 (Cl-/H+-antiporter), SLC2A2 (GLUT2 glucose transporter), or EHHADH (enoyl-CoA, hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase) causing more generalized proximal tubule dysfunction can cause proximal renal tubular acidosis resulting from bicarbonate wasting and reduced ammoniagenesis. Mutations in adenosine triphosphate ATP6V1 (B1 H+-ATPase subunit), ATPV0A4 (a4 H+-ATPase subunit), SLC4A1 (anion exchanger 1), and FOXI1 (forkhead transcription factor) cause distal renal tubular acidosis type I. Carbonic anhydrase II mutations affect several nephron segments and give rise to a mixed proximal and distal phenotype. Finally, mutations in genes affecting aldosterone synthesis, signaling, or downstream targets can lead to hyperkalemic variants of renal tubular acidosis (type IV). More common forms of renal acidosis are found in patients with advanced stages of chronic kidney disease and are owing, at least in part, to a reduced capacity for ammoniagenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten A Wagner
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; National Center for Competence in Research Kidney, Switzerland.
| | - Pedro H Imenez Silva
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; National Center for Competence in Research Kidney, Switzerland
| | - Soline Bourgeois
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; National Center for Competence in Research Kidney, Switzerland
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Lee HW, Harris AN, Romero MF, Welling PA, Wingo CS, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. NBCe1-A is required for the renal ammonia and K + response to hypokalemia. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2019; 318:F402-F421. [PMID: 31841393 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00481.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypokalemia increases ammonia excretion and decreases K+ excretion. The present study examined the role of the proximal tubule protein NBCe1-A in these responses. We studied mice with Na+-bicarbonate cotransporter electrogenic, isoform 1, splice variant A (NBCe1-A) deletion [knockout (KO) mice] and their wild-type (WT) littermates were provided either K+ control or K+-free diet. We also used tissue sections to determine the effect of extracellular ammonia on NaCl cotransporter (NCC) phosphorylation. The K+-free diet significantly increased proximal tubule NBCe1-A and ammonia excretion in WT mice, and NBCe1-A deletion blunted the ammonia excretion response. NBCe1-A deletion inhibited the ammoniagenic/ammonia recycling enzyme response in the cortical proximal tubule (PT), where NBCe1-A is present in WT mice. In the outer medulla, where NBCe1-A is not present, the PT ammonia metabolism response was accentuated by NBCe1-A deletion. KO mice developed more severe hypokalemia and had greater urinary K+ excretion during the K+-free diet than did WT mice. This was associated with blunting of the hypokalemia-induced change in NCC phosphorylation. NBCe1-A KO mice have systemic metabolic acidosis, but experimentally induced metabolic acidosis did not alter NCC phosphorylation. Although KO mice have impaired ammonia metabolism, experiments in tissue sections showed that lack of ammonia does impair NCC phosphorylation. Finally, urinary aldosterone was greater in KO mice than in WT mice, but neither expression of epithelial Na+ channel α-, β-, and γ-subunits nor of H+-K+-ATPase α1- or α2-subunits correlated with changes in urinary K+. We conclude that NBCe1-A is critical for the effect of diet-induced hypokalemia to increase cortical proximal tubule ammonia generation and for the expected decrease in urinary K+ excretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Autumn N Harris
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Michael F Romero
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Paul A Welling
- Nephrology Division, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, Johns Hopkins Medical School, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Charles S Wingo
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.,Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Gainesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.,Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Gainesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
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Harris AN, Lee HW, Fang L, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. Differences in acidosis-stimulated renal ammonia metabolism in the male and female kidney. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2019; 317:F890-F905. [PMID: 31390234 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00244.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Renal ammonia excretion is a critical component of acid-base homeostasis, and changes in ammonia excretion are the predominant component of increased net acid excretion in response to metabolic acidosis. We recently reported substantial sex-dependent differences in basal ammonia metabolism that correlate with sex-dependent differences in renal structure and expression of key proteins involved in ammonia metabolism. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of sex on the renal ammonia response to an exogenous acid load. We studied 4-mo-old C57BL/6 mice. Ammonia excretion, which was less in male mice under basal conditions, increased in response to acid loading to a greater extent in male mice, such that maximal ammonia excretion did not differ between the sexes. Fundamental structural sex differences in the nonacid-loaded kidney persisted after acid loading, with less cortical proximal tubule volume density in the female kidney than in the male kidney, whereas collecting duct volume density was greater in the female kidney. To further investigate sex-dependent differences in the response to acid loading, we examined the expression of proteins involved in ammonia metabolism. The change in expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and Rh family B glycoprotein with acid loading was greater in male mice than in female mice, whereas Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter and inner stripe of the outer medulla intercalated cell Rh family C glycoprotein expression were significantly greater in female mice than in male mice. There was no significant sex difference in glutamine synthetase, Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3, or electrogenic Na+-bicarbonate cotransporter 1 variant A protein expression in response to acid loading. We conclude that substantial sex-dependent differences in the renal ammonia response to acid loading enable a similar maximum ammonia excretion response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Autumn N Harris
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.,Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Lijuan Fang
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.,Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Gainesville Veterans Administration Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
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Abdulnour‐Nakhoul S, Hering‐Smith K, Hamm LL, Nakhoul NL. Effects of chronic hypercapnia on ammonium transport in the mouse kidney. Physiol Rep 2019; 7:e14221. [PMID: 31456326 PMCID: PMC6712239 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypercapnia and subsequent respiratory acidosis are serious complications in many patients with respiratory disorders. The acute response to hypercapnia is buffering of H+ by hemoglobin and cellular proteins but this effect is limited. The chronic response is renal compensation that increases HCO3- reabsorption, and stimulates urinary excretion of titratable acids (TA) and NH4+ . However, the main effective pathway is the excretion of NH4+ in the collecting duct. Our hypothesis is that, the renal NH3 /NH4+ transporters, Rhbg and Rhcg, in the collecting duct mediate this response. The effect of hypercapnia on these transporters is unknown. We conducted in vivo experiments on mice subjected to chronic hypercapnia. One group breathed 8% CO2 and the other breathed normal air as control (0.04% CO2 ). After 3 days, the mice were euthanized and kidneys, blood, and urine samples were collected. We used immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis to determine the effects of high CO2 on localization and expression of the Rh proteins, carbonic anhydrase IV, and pendrin. In hypercapnic animals, there was a significant increase in urinary NH4+ excretion but no change in TA. Western blot analysis showed a significant increase in cortical expression of Rhbg (43%) but not of Rhcg. Expression of CA-IV was increased but pendrin was reduced. These data suggest that hypercapnia leads to compensatory upregulation of Rhbg that contributes to excretion of NH3 /NH4+ in the kidney. These studies are the first to show a link among hypercapnia, NH4+ excretion, and Rh expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solange Abdulnour‐Nakhoul
- Section of Nephrology, Departments of Medicine and PhysiologyTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisiana
| | - Kathleen Hering‐Smith
- Section of Nephrology, Departments of Medicine and PhysiologyTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisiana
| | - L. Lee Hamm
- Section of Nephrology, Departments of Medicine and PhysiologyTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisiana
| | - Nazih L. Nakhoul
- Section of Nephrology, Departments of Medicine and PhysiologyTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisiana
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Osis G, Webster KL, Harris AN, Lee HW, Chen C, Fang L, Romero MF, Khattri RB, Merritt ME, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. Regulation of renal NaDC1 expression and citrate excretion by NBCe1-A. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2019; 317:F489-F501. [PMID: 31188034 PMCID: PMC6732450 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00015.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Citrate is critical for acid-base homeostasis and to prevent calcium nephrolithiasis. Both metabolic acidosis and hypokalemia decrease citrate excretion and increase expression of Na+-dicarboxylate cotransporter 1 (NaDC1; SLC13A2), the primary protein involved in citrate reabsorption. However, the mechanisms transducing extracellular signals and mediating these responses are incompletely understood. The purpose of the present study was to determine the role of the Na+-coupled electrogenic bicarbonate cotransporter (NBCe1) A variant (NBCe1-A) in citrate metabolism under basal conditions and in response to acid loading and hypokalemia. NBCe1-A deletion increased citrate excretion and decreased NaDC1 expression in the proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) and proximal straight tubules (PST) in the medullary ray (PST-MR) but not in the PST in the outer medulla (PST-OM). Acid loading wild-type (WT) mice decreased citrate excretion. NaDC1 expression increased only in the PCT and PST-MR and not in the PST-MR. In NBCe1-A knockout (KO) mice, the acid loading change in citrate excretion was unaffected, changes in PCT NaDC1 expression were blocked, and there was an adaptive increase in PST-MR. Hypokalemia in WT mice decreased citrate excretion; NaDC1 expression increased only in the PCT and PST-MR. NBCe1-A KO blocked both the citrate and NaDC1 changes. We conclude that 1) adaptive changes in NaDC1 expression in response to metabolic acidosis and hypokalemia occur specifically in the PCT and PST-MR, i.e., in cortical proximal tubule segments; 2) NBCe1-A is necessary for normal basal, metabolic acidosis and hypokalemia-stimulated citrate metabolism and does so by regulating NaDC1 expression in cortical proximal tubule segments; and 3) adaptive increases in PST-OM NaDC1 expression occur in NBCe1-A KO mice in response to acid loading that do not occur in WT mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunars Osis
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Kierstin L Webster
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Autumn N Harris
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Chao Chen
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Lijuan Fang
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Michael F Romero
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Ram B Khattri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Matthew E Merritt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Nephrology and Hypertension Section, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida
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Fang L, Lee HW, Chen C, Harris AN, Romero MF, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. Expression of the B splice variant of NBCe1 (SLC4A4) in the mouse kidney. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2018; 315:F417-F428. [PMID: 29631353 PMCID: PMC6172571 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00515.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Sodium-coupled bicarbonate transporters are critical for renal electrolyte transport. The electrogenic, sodium-coupled bicarbonate cotransporter, isoform 1 (NBCe1), encoded by the SLC4A4 geneencoded by the SLC4A4 gene has five multiple splice variants; the A splice variant, NBCe1-A, is the primary basolateral bicarbonate transporter in the proximal convoluted tubule. This study's purpose was to determine if there is expression of additional NBCe1 splice variants in the mouse kidney, their cellular distribution, and their regulation by metabolic acidosis. In wild-type mice, an antibody reactive only to NBCe1-A showed basolateral immunolabel only in cortical proximal tubule (PT) segments, whereas an antibody reactive to all NBCe1 splice variants (pan-NBCe1) showed basolateral immunolabel in PT segments in both the cortex and outer medulla. In mice with NBCe1-A deletion, the pan-NBCe1 antibody showed basolateral PT immunolabel in both the renal cortex and outer stripe of the outer medulla, and immunoblot analysis showed expression of a ~121-kDa protein. RT-PCR of mRNA from NBCe1-A knockout mice directed at splice variant-specific regions showed expression of only NBCe1-B mRNA. In wild-type kidney, RT-PCR confirmed expression of mRNA for the NBCe1-B splice variant and absence of mRNA for the C, D, and E splice variants. Finally, exogenous acid loading increased expression in the proximal straight tubule in the outer stripe of the outer medulla. These studies demonstrate that the NBCe1-B splice variant is present in the PT, and its expression increases in response to exogenous acid loading, suggesting it participates in the PT contribution to acid-base homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Fang
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Chao Chen
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Autumn N Harris
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Michael F Romero
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic , Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine , Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine , Gainesville, Florida
- Nephrology and Hypertension Section, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida
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Harris AN, Lee HW, Osis G, Fang L, Webster KL, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. Differences in renal ammonia metabolism in male and female kidney. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2018; 315:F211-F222. [PMID: 29561185 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00084.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal ammonia metabolism has a major role in the maintenance of acid-base homeostasis. Sex differences are well recognized as an important biological variable in many aspects of renal function, including fluid and electrolyte metabolism. However, sex differences in renal ammonia metabolism have not been previously reported. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to investigate sex differences in renal ammonia metabolism. We studied 4-mo-old wild-type C57BL/6 mice fed a normal diet. Despite similar levels of food intake, and, thus, protein intake, which is the primary determinant of endogenous acid production, female mice excreted greater amounts of ammonia, but not titratable acids, than did male mice. This difference in ammonia metabolism was associated with fundamental structural differences between the female and male kidney. In the female mouse kidney, proximal tubules account for a lower percentage of the renal cortical parenchyma compared with the male kidney, whereas collecting ducts account for a greater percentage of the renal parenchyma than in male kidneys. To further investigate the mechanism(s) behind the greater ammonia excretion in female mice, we examined differences in the expression of proteins involved in renal ammonia metabolism and transport. Greater basal ammonia excretion in females was associated with greater expression of PEPCK, glutamine synthetase, NKCC2, Rhbg, and Rhcg than was observed in male mice. We conclude that there are sex differences in basal ammonia metabolism that involve both renal structural differences and differences in expression of proteins involved in ammonia metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Autumn N Harris
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Gunars Osis
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Lijuan Fang
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Kierstin L Webster
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine , Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine , Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine , Gainesville, Florida.,Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Gainesville Veterans Administration Medical Center , Gainesville, Florida
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Lee HW, Osis G, Harris AN, Fang L, Romero MF, Handlogten ME, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. NBCe1-A Regulates Proximal Tubule Ammonia Metabolism under Basal Conditions and in Response to Metabolic Acidosis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2018; 29:1182-1197. [PMID: 29483156 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2017080935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal ammonia metabolism is the primary mechanism through which the kidneys maintain acid-base homeostasis, but the molecular mechanisms regulating renal ammonia generation are unclear. In these studies, we evaluated the role of the proximal tubule basolateral plasma membrane electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter 1 variant A (NBCe1-A) in this process. Deletion of the NBCe1-A gene caused severe spontaneous metabolic acidosis in mice. Despite this metabolic acidosis, which normally causes a dramatic increase in ammonia excretion, absolute urinary ammonia concentration was unaltered. Additionally, NBCe1-A deletion almost completely blocked the ability to increase ammonia excretion after exogenous acid loading. Under basal conditions and during acid loading, urine pH was more acidic in mice with NBCe1-A deletion than in wild-type controls, indicating that the abnormal ammonia excretion was not caused by a primary failure of urine acidification. Instead, NBCe1-A deletion altered the expression levels of multiple enzymes involved in proximal tubule ammonia generation, including phosphate-dependent glutaminase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and glutamine synthetase, under basal conditions and after exogenous acid loading. Deletion of NBCe1-A did not impair expression of key proteins involved in collecting duct ammonia secretion. These studies demonstrate that the integral membrane protein NBCe1-A has a critical role in basal and acidosis-stimulated ammonia metabolism through the regulation of proximal tubule ammonia-metabolizing enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Gunars Osis
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Autumn N Harris
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Lijuan Fang
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Michael F Romero
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; and
| | - Mary E Handlogten
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida; .,Nephrology and Hypertension Section, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida
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Harris AN, Grimm PR, Lee HW, Delpire E, Fang L, Verlander JW, Welling PA, Weiner ID. Mechanism of Hyperkalemia-Induced Metabolic Acidosis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2018; 29:1411-1425. [PMID: 29483157 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2017111163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hyperkalemia in association with metabolic acidosis that are out of proportion to changes in glomerular filtration rate defines type 4 renal tubular acidosis (RTA), the most common RTA observed, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the associated metabolic acidosis are incompletely understood. We sought to determine whether hyperkalemia directly causes metabolic acidosis and, if so, the mechanisms through which this occurs.Methods We studied a genetic model of hyperkalemia that results from early distal convoluted tubule (DCT)-specific overexpression of constitutively active Ste20/SPS1-related proline-alanine-rich kinase (DCT-CA-SPAK).Results DCT-CA-SPAK mice developed hyperkalemia in association with metabolic acidosis and suppressed ammonia excretion; however, titratable acid excretion and urine pH were unchanged compared with those in wild-type mice. Abnormal ammonia excretion in DCT-CA-SPAK mice associated with decreased proximal tubule expression of the ammonia-generating enzymes phosphate-dependent glutaminase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and overexpression of the ammonia-recycling enzyme glutamine synthetase. These mice also had decreased expression of the ammonia transporter family member Rhcg and decreased apical polarization of H+-ATPase in the inner stripe of the outer medullary collecting duct. Correcting the hyperkalemia by treatment with hydrochlorothiazide corrected the metabolic acidosis, increased ammonia excretion, and normalized ammoniagenic enzyme and Rhcg expression in DCT-CA-SPAK mice. In wild-type mice, induction of hyperkalemia by administration of the epithelial sodium channel blocker benzamil caused hyperkalemia and suppressed ammonia excretion.Conclusions Hyperkalemia decreases proximal tubule ammonia generation and collecting duct ammonia transport, leading to impaired ammonia excretion that causes metabolic acidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Autumn N Harris
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - P Richard Grimm
- Department of Physiology and Maryland Center for Kidney Discovery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Eric Delpire
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; and
| | - Lijuan Fang
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Paul A Welling
- Department of Physiology and Maryland Center for Kidney Discovery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida; .,Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Gainesville Veterans Administration Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
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Bourgeois S, Bounoure L, Mouro-Chanteloup I, Colin Y, Brown D, Wagner CA. The ammonia transporter RhCG modulates urinary acidification by interacting with the vacuolar proton-ATPases in renal intercalated cells. Kidney Int 2018; 93:390-402. [PMID: 29054531 PMCID: PMC6166241 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2017.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Ammonium, stemming from renal ammoniagenesis, is a major urinary proton buffer and is excreted along the collecting duct. This process depends on the concomitant secretion of ammonia by the ammonia channel RhCG and of protons by the vacuolar-type proton-ATPase pump. Thus, urinary ammonium content and urinary acidification are tightly linked. However, mice lacking Rhcg excrete more alkaline urine despite lower urinary ammonium, suggesting an unexpected role of Rhcg in urinary acidification. RhCG and the B1 and B2 proton-ATPase subunits could be co-immunoprecipitated from kidney. In ex vivo microperfused cortical collecting ducts (CCD) proton-ATPase activity was drastically reduced in the absence of Rhcg. Conversely, overexpression of RhCG in HEK293 cells resulted in higher proton secretion rates and increased B1 proton-ATPase mRNA expression. However, in kidneys from Rhcg-/- mice the expression of only B1 and B2 subunits was altered. Immunolocalization of proton-ATPase subunits together with immuno-gold detection of the A proton-ATPase subunit showed similar localization and density of staining in kidneys from Rhcg+/+ and Rhcg-/-mice. In order to test for a reciprocal effect of intercalated cell proton-ATPases on Rhcg activity, we assessed Rhcg and proton-ATPase activities in microperfused CCD from Atp6v1b1-/- mice and showed reduced proton-ATPase activity without altering Rhcg activity. Thus, RhCG and proton-ATPase are located within the same cellular protein complex. RhCG may modulate proton-ATPase function and urinary acidification, whereas proton-ATPase activity does not affect RhCG function. This mechanism may help to coordinate ammonia and proton secretion beyond physicochemical driving forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soline Bourgeois
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lisa Bounoure
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Yves Colin
- UMR_S1134, INSERM, Université Paris Diderot, INTS, Labex GR-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Dennis Brown
- Center for Systems Biology, Program in Membrane Biology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carsten A Wagner
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Polymorphisms in Renal Ammonia Metabolism Genes Correlate With 24-Hour Urine pH. Kidney Int Rep 2017; 2:1111-1121. [PMID: 29270519 PMCID: PMC5733879 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2017.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Urine pH is critical for net acid and solute excretion, but the genetic factors that contribute to its regulation are incompletely understood. Methods We tested the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 16 genes related to ammonia (NH3) metabolism (15 biological candidates selected a priori, 1 selected from a previous genome-wide association study analysis) to that of 24-hour urine pH in 2493 individuals of European descent across 2 different cohorts using linear regression, adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index. Results Of 2871 total SNPs in these genes, 13 SNPs in ATP6V0A4 (a4 subunit of hydrogen− adenosine triphosphatase), SLC9A3 (sodium/hydrogen exchanger, isoform 3), and RHCG (Rhesus C glycoprotein), and 12 SNPs from insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) had a meta-analysis P value <0.01 in the joint analysis plus a consistent direction of effect and at a least suggestive association (P < 0.1) in both cohorts. The maximal effect size (in pH units) for each additional minor allele of the identified SNPs was −0.13 for IGFBP7, −0.08 for ATP6V0A4, 0.06 for RHCG, and −0.06 for SLC9A3; SNP rs34447434 in IGFBP7 had the lowest meta-analysis P value (P = 7.1 × 10−8). After adjusting for net alkali absorption, urine pH remained suggestively associated with multiple SNPs in IGFBP, 1 SNP in ATP6V0A4, and a new SNP in GLS (phosphate-dependent glutaminase). Discussion Overall, these findings suggest that variants in common genes involved in ammonia metabolism may substantively contribute to basal urine pH regulation. These variations might influence the likelihood of developing disease conditions associated with altered urine pH, such as uric acid or calcium phosphate kidney stones.
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Abstract
Acid-base homeostasis is critical to maintenance of normal health. Renal ammonia excretion is the quantitatively predominant component of renal net acid excretion, both under basal conditions and in response to acid-base disturbances. Although titratable acid excretion also contributes to renal net acid excretion, the quantitative contribution of titratable acid excretion is less than that of ammonia under basal conditions and is only a minor component of the adaptive response to acid-base disturbances. In contrast to other urinary solutes, ammonia is produced in the kidney and then is selectively transported either into the urine or the renal vein. The proportion of ammonia that the kidney produces that is excreted in the urine varies dramatically in response to physiological stimuli, and only urinary ammonia excretion contributes to acid-base homeostasis. As a result, selective and regulated renal ammonia transport by renal epithelial cells is central to acid-base homeostasis. Both molecular forms of ammonia, NH3 and NH4+, are transported by specific proteins, and regulation of these transport processes determines the eventual fate of the ammonia produced. In this review, we discuss these issues, and then discuss in detail the specific proteins involved in renal epithelial cell ammonia transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida; and Nephrology and Hypertension Section, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida; and Nephrology and Hypertension Section, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida
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Lee HW, Osis G, Handlogten ME, Lamers WH, Chaudhry FA, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. Proximal tubule-specific glutamine synthetase deletion alters basal and acidosis-stimulated ammonia metabolism. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2016; 310:F1229-42. [PMID: 27009341 PMCID: PMC4935770 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00547.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamine synthetase (GS) catalyzes the recycling of NH4 (+) with glutamate to form glutamine. GS is highly expressed in the renal proximal tubule (PT), suggesting ammonia recycling via GS could decrease net ammoniagenesis and thereby limit ammonia available for net acid excretion. The purpose of the present study was to determine the role of PT GS in ammonia metabolism under basal conditions and during metabolic acidosis. We generated mice with PT-specific GS deletion (PT-GS-KO) using Cre-loxP techniques. Under basal conditions, PT-GS-KO increased urinary ammonia excretion significantly. Increased ammonia excretion occurred despite decreased expression of key proteins involved in renal ammonia generation. After the induction of metabolic acidosis, the ability to increase ammonia excretion was impaired significantly by PT-GS-KO. The blunted increase in ammonia excretion occurred despite greater expression of multiple components of ammonia generation, including SN1 (Slc38a3), phosphate-dependent glutaminase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and Na(+)-coupled electrogenic bicarbonate cotransporter. We conclude that 1) GS-mediated ammonia recycling in the PT contributes to both basal and acidosis-stimulated ammonia metabolism and 2) adaptive changes in other proteins involved in ammonia metabolism occur in response to PT-GS-KO and cause an underestimation of the role of PT GS expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Gunars Osis
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Mary E Handlogten
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Wouter H Lamers
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Farrukh A Chaudhry
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; and
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida; Nephrology and Hypertension Section, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida
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Osis G, Handlogten ME, Lee HW, Hering-Smith KS, Huang W, Romero MF, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. Effect of NBCe1 deletion on renal citrate and 2-oxoglutarate handling. Physiol Rep 2016; 4:e12778. [PMID: 27117802 PMCID: PMC4848728 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.12778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The bicarbonate transporter, NBCe1 (SLC4A4), is necessary for at least two components of the proximal tubule contribution to acid-base homeostasis, filtered bicarbonate reabsorption, and ammonia metabolism. This study's purpose was to determine NBCe1's role in a third component of acid-base homeostasis, organic anion metabolism, by studying mice with NBCe1 deletion. Because NBCe1 deletion causes metabolic acidosis, we also examined acid-loaded wild-type adult mice to determine if the effects of NBCe1 deletion were specific to NBCe1 deletion or were a non-specific effect of the associated metabolic acidosis. Both NBCe1 KO and acid-loading decreased citrate excretion, but in contrast to metabolic acidosis alone, NBCe1 KO decreased expression of the apical citrate transporter, NaDC-1. Thus, NBCe1 expression is necessary for normal NaDC-1 expression, and NBCe1 deletion induces a novel citrate reabsorptive pathway. Second, NBCe1 KO increased 2-oxoglutarate excretion. This could not be attributed to the metabolic acidosis as experimental acidosis decreased excretion. Increased 2-oxoglutarate excretion could not be explained by changes in plasma 2-oxoglutarate levels, the glutaminase I or the glutaminase II generation pathways, 2-oxoglutarate metabolism, its putative apical 2-oxoglutarate transporter, OAT10, or its basolateral transporter, NaDC-3. IN SUMMARY (1) NBCe1 is necessary for normal proximal tubule NaDC-1 expression; (2) NBCe1 deletion results in stimulation of a novel citrate reabsorptive pathway; and (3) NBCe1 is necessary for normal 2-oxoglutarate metabolism through mechanisms independent of expression of known transport and metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunars Osis
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Mary E Handlogten
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | | | - Weitao Huang
- Renal Division, Tulane University College of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Michael F Romero
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering and Nephrology & Hypertension, Mayo Clinic College Of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida Nephrology and Hypertension Section, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida
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Handlogten ME, Osis G, Lee HW, Romero MF, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. NBCe1 expression is required for normal renal ammonia metabolism. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2015; 309:F658-66. [PMID: 26224717 PMCID: PMC4593816 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00219.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms regulating proximal tubule ammonia metabolism are incompletely understood. The present study addressed the role of the proximal tubule basolateral electrogenic Na(+)-coupled bicarbonate cotransporter (NBCe1; Slc4a4) in renal ammonia metabolism. We used mice with heterozygous and homozygous NBCe1 gene deletion and compared these mice with their wild-type littermates. Because homozygous NBCe1 gene deletion causes 100% mortality before day 25, we studied mice at day 8 (±1 day). Both heterozygous and homozygous gene deletion caused a gene dose-related decrease in serum bicarbonate. The ability to lower urinary pH was intact, and even accentuated, with NBCe1 deletion. However, in contrast to the well-known effect of metabolic acidosis to increase urinary ammonia excretion, NBCe1 deletion caused a gene dose-related decrease in ammonia excretion. There was no identifiable change in proximal tubule structure by light microscopy. Examination of proteins involved in renal ammonia metabolism showed decreased expression of phosphate-dependent glutaminase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, key enzymes in proximal tubule ammonia generation, and increased expression of glutamine synthetase, which recycles intrarenal ammonia and regenerates glutamine. Expression of key proteins involved in ammonia transport outside of the proximal tubule (rhesus B glycoprotein and rhesus C glycoprotein) was not significantly changed by NBCe1 deletion. We conclude from these findings that NBCe1 expression is necessary for normal proximal tubule ammonia metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary E Handlogten
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Gunars Osis
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Michael F Romero
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering and Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic College Of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota; and
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida; Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Gainesville Veterans Administration Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
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Abstract
The H(+) concentration in human blood is kept within very narrow limits, ~40 nmol/L, despite the fact that dietary metabolism generates acid and base loads that are added to the systemic circulation throughout the life of mammals. One of the primary functions of the kidney is to maintain the constancy of systemic acid-base chemistry. The kidney has evolved the capacity to regulate blood acidity by performing three key functions: (i) reabsorb HCO3(-) that is filtered through the glomeruli to prevent its excretion in the urine; (ii) generate a sufficient quantity of new HCO3(-) to compensate for the loss of HCO3(-) resulting from dietary metabolic H(+) loads and loss of HCO3(-) in the urea cycle; and (iii) excrete HCO3(-) (or metabolizable organic anions) following a systemic base load. The ability of the kidney to perform these functions requires that various cell types throughout the nephron respond to changes in acid-base chemistry by modulating specific ion transport and/or metabolic processes in a coordinated fashion such that the urine and renal vein chemistry is altered appropriately. The purpose of the article is to provide the interested reader with a broad review of a field that began historically ~60 years ago with whole animal studies, and has evolved to where we are currently addressing questions related to kidney acid-base regulation at the single protein structure/function level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ira Kurtz
- Division of Nephrology, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA; Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
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Lawrence MJ, Wright PA, Wood CM. Physiological and molecular responses of the goldfish (Carassius auratus) kidney to metabolic acidosis, and potential mechanisms of renal ammonia transport. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 218:2124-35. [PMID: 25987732 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.117689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Relative to the gills, the mechanisms by which the kidney contributes to ammonia and acid-base homeostasis in fish are poorly understood. Goldfish were exposed to a low pH environment (pH 4.0, 48 h), which induced a characteristic metabolic acidosis and an increase in total plasma [ammonia] but reduced plasma ammonia partial pressure (PNH3). In the kidney tissue, total ammonia, lactate and intracellular pH remained unchanged. The urinary excretion rate of net base under control conditions changed to net acid excretion under low pH, with contributions from both the NH4 (+) (∼30%) and titratable acidity minus bicarbonate (∼70%; TA-HCO3 (-)) components. Inorganic phosphate (Pi), urea and Na(+) excretion rates were also elevated while Cl(-) excretion rates were unchanged. Renal alanine aminotransferase activity increased under acidosis. The increase in renal ammonia excretion was due to significant increases in both the glomerular filtration and the tubular secretion rates of ammonia, with the latter accounting for ∼75% of the increase. There was also a 3.5-fold increase in the mRNA expression of renal Rhcg-b (Rhcg1) mRNA. There was no relationship between ammonia secretion and Na(+) reabsorption. These data indicate that increased renal ammonia secretion during acidosis is probably mediated through Rhesus (Rh) glycoproteins and occurs independently of Na(+) transport, in contrast to branchial and epidermal models of Na(+)-dependent ammonia transport in freshwater fish. Rather, we propose a model of parallel H(+)/NH3 transport as the primary mechanism of renal tubular ammonia secretion that is dependent on renal amino acid catabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Lawrence
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1 Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Patricia A Wright
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - Chris M Wood
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1 Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4
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Lee HW, Osis G, Handlogten ME, Guo H, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. Effect of dietary protein restriction on renal ammonia metabolism. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2015; 308:F1463-73. [PMID: 25925252 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00077.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Dietary protein restriction has multiple benefits in kidney disease. Because protein intake is a major determinant of endogenous acid production, it is important that net acid excretion change in parallel during protein restriction. Ammonia is the primary component of net acid excretion, and inappropriate ammonia excretion can lead to negative nitrogen balance. Accordingly, we examined ammonia excretion in response to protein restriction and then we determined the molecular mechanism of the changes observed. Wild-type C57Bl/6 mice fed a 20% protein diet and then changed to 6% protein developed an 85% reduction in ammonia excretion within 2 days, which persisted during a 10-day study. The expression of multiple proteins involved in renal ammonia metabolism was altered, including the ammonia-generating enzymes phosphate-dependent glutaminase (PDG) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and the ammonia-metabolizing enzyme glutamine synthetase. Rhbg, an ammonia transporter, increased in expression in the inner stripe of outer medullary collecting duct intercalated cell (OMCDis-IC). However, collecting duct-specific Rhbg deletion did not alter the response to protein restriction. Rhcg deletion did not alter ammonia excretion in response to dietary protein restriction. These results indicate 1) dietary protein restriction decreases renal ammonia excretion through coordinated regulation of multiple components of ammonia metabolism; 2) increased Rhbg expression in the OMCDis-IC may indicate a biological role in addition to ammonia transport; and 3) Rhcg expression is not necessary to decrease ammonia excretion during dietary protein restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Gunars Osis
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Mary E Handlogten
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hui Guo
- Division of Nephrology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Yaiyuan, Shanxi, Peoples Republic of China; and
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Medical Service, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida
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Renal acid-base regulation: new insights from animal models. Pflugers Arch 2014; 467:1623-41. [PMID: 25515081 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-014-1669-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Revised: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Because majority of biological processes are dependent on pH, maintaining systemic acid-base balance is critical. The kidney contributes to systemic acid-base regulation, by reabsorbing HCO3 (-) (both filtered by glomeruli and generated within a nephron) and acidifying urine. Abnormalities in those processes will eventually lead to a disruption in systemic acid-base balance and provoke metabolic acid-base disorders. Research over the past 30 years advanced our understanding on cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for those processes. In particular, a variety of transgenic animal models, where target genes are deleted either globally or conditionally, provided significant insights into how specific transporters are contributing to the renal acid-base regulation. Here, we broadly overview the mechanisms of renal ion transport participating to acid-base regulation, with emphasis on data obtained from transgenic mice models.
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24
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Weiner ID, Leader JP, Bedford JJ, Verlander JW, Ellis G, Kalita P, Vos F, de Jong S, Walker RJ. Effects of chronic lithium administration on renal acid excretion in humans and rats. Physiol Rep 2014; 2:2/12/e12242. [PMID: 25501430 PMCID: PMC4332220 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.12242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Lithium therapy's most common side effects affecting the kidney are nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) and chronic kidney disease. Lithium may also induce a distal renal tubular acidosis. This study investigated the effect of chronic lithium exposure on renal acid–base homeostasis, with emphasis on ammonia and citrate excretion. We compared 11 individuals on long‐term lithium therapy with six healthy individuals. Under basal conditions, lithium‐treated individuals excreted significantly more urinary ammonia than did control subjects. Following an acute acid load, urinary ammonia excretion increased approximately twofold above basal rates in both lithium‐treated and control humans. There were no significant differences between lithium‐treated and control subjects in urinary pH or urinary citrate excretion. To elucidate possible mechanisms, rats were randomized to diets containing lithium or regular diet for 6 months. Similar to humans, basal ammonia excretion was significantly higher in lithium‐treated rats; in addition, urinary citrate excretion was also significantly greater. There were no differences in urinary pH. Expression of the critical ammonia transporter, Rhesus C Glycoprotein (Rhcg), was substantially greater in lithium‐treated rats than in control rats. We conclude that chronic lithium exposure increases renal ammonia excretion through mechanisms independent of urinary pH and likely to involve increased collecting duct ammonia secretion via the ammonia transporter, Rhcg. This study investigated the effect of chronic lithium exposure on renal acid–base homeostasis, with emphasis on ammonia and citrate excretion. Chronic lithium exposure increases renal ammonia excretion through mechanisms independent of urinary pH and likely to involve increased collecting duct ammonia secretion via the ammonia transporter, Rhcg.
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Affiliation(s)
- I David Weiner
- Nephrology and Hypertension Section, NF/SGVHS, Gainesville, Florida Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - John P Leader
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Jill W Verlander
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Gaye Ellis
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Priyakshi Kalita
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Frederiek Vos
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sylvia de Jong
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Robert J Walker
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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25
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Geyer RR, Parker MD, Toye AM, Boron WF, Musa-Aziz R. Relative CO₂/NH₃ permeabilities of human RhAG, RhBG and RhCG. J Membr Biol 2014; 246:915-26. [PMID: 24077989 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-013-9593-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/05/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian glycosylated rhesus (Rh) proteins include the erythroid RhAG and the nonerythroid RhBG and RhCG. RhBG and RhCG are expressed in multiple tissues, including hepatocytes and the collecting duct (CD) of the kidney. Here, we expressed human RhAG, RhBG and RhCG in Xenopus oocytes (vs. H2O-injected control oocytes) and used microelectrodes to monitor the maximum transient change in surface pH (DpHS) caused by exposing the same oocyte to 5 % CO₂/33 mM HCO₃⁻ (an increase) or 0.5 mM NH₃/NH₄⁺ (a decrease). Subtracting the respective values for day-matched, H₂O-injected control oocytes yielded channel-specific values (*). (ΔpH*(S))(CO₂) and (-ΔpH*(S))(NH₃) were each significantly >0 for all channels, indicating that RhBG and RhCG--like RhAG--can carry CO₂ and NH₃. We also investigated the role of a conserved aspartate residue, which was reported to inhibit NH₃ transport. However, surface biotinylation experiments indicate the mutants RhBG(D178N) and RhCG(D177N) have at most a very low abundance in the oocyte plasma membrane. We demonstrate for the first time that RhBG and RhCG--like RhAG--have significant CO₂ permeability, and we confirm that RhAG, RhBG and RhCG all have significant NH₃ permeability. However, as evidenced by (ΔpH*(S))(CO₂)/ (-ΔpH*(S))(NH₃) values, we could not distinguish among the CO₂/ NH₃ permeability ratios for RhAG, RhBG and RhCG. Finally, we propose a mechanism whereby RhBG and RhCG contribute to acid secretion in the CD by enhancing the transport of not only NH₃ but also CO₂ across the membranes of CD cells.
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26
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Weiner ID, Verlander JW. Ammonia transport in the kidney by Rhesus glycoproteins. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2014; 306:F1107-20. [PMID: 24647713 PMCID: PMC4024734 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00013.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal ammonia metabolism is a fundamental element of acid-base homeostasis, comprising a major component of both basal and physiologically altered renal net acid excretion. Over the past several years, a fundamental change in our understanding of the mechanisms of renal epithelial cell ammonia transport has occurred, replacing the previous model which was based upon diffusion equilibrium for NH3 and trapping of NH4(+) with a new model in which specific and regulated transport of both NH3 and NH4(+) across renal epithelial cell membranes via specific membrane proteins is required for normal ammonia metabolism. A major advance has been the recognition that members of a recently recognized transporter family, the Rhesus glycoprotein family, mediate critical roles in renal and extrarenal ammonia transport. The erythroid-specific Rhesus glycoprotein, Rh A Glycoprotein (Rhag), was the first Rhesus glycoprotein recognized as an ammonia-specific transporter. Subsequently, the nonerythroid Rh glycoproteins, Rh B Glycoprotein (Rhbg) and Rh C Glycoprotein (Rhcg), were cloned and identified as ammonia transporters. They are expressed in specific cell populations and membrane domains in distal renal epithelial cells, where they facilitate ammonia secretion. In this review, we discuss the distribution of Rhbg and Rhcg in the kidney, the regulation of their expression and activity in physiological disturbances, the effects of genetic deletion on renal ammonia metabolism, and the molecular mechanisms of Rh glycoprotein-mediated ammonia transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- I David Weiner
- Nephrology and Hypertension Section, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville Florida; and Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Nephrology and Hypertension Section, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville Florida; and
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Bounoure L, Ruffoni D, Müller R, Kuhn GA, Bourgeois S, Devuyst O, Wagner CA. The role of the renal ammonia transporter Rhcg in metabolic responses to dietary protein. J Am Soc Nephrol 2014; 25:2040-52. [PMID: 24652796 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2013050466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
High dietary protein imposes a metabolic acid load requiring excretion and buffering by the kidney. Impaired acid excretion in CKD, with potential metabolic acidosis, may contribute to the progression of CKD. Here, we investigated the renal adaptive response of acid excretory pathways in mice to high-protein diets containing normal or low amounts of acid-producing sulfur amino acids (SAA) and examined how this adaption requires the RhCG ammonia transporter. Diets rich in SAA stimulated expression of enzymes and transporters involved in mediating NH4 (+) reabsorption in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. The SAA-rich diet increased diuresis paralleled by downregulation of aquaporin-2 (AQP2) water channels. The absence of Rhcg transiently reduced NH4 (+) excretion, stimulated the ammoniagenic pathway more strongly, and further enhanced diuresis by exacerbating the downregulation of the Na(+)/K(+)/2Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC2) and AQP2, with less phosphorylation of AQP2 at serine 256. The high protein acid load affected bone turnover, as indicated by higher Ca(2+) and deoxypyridinoline excretion, phenomena exaggerated in the absence of Rhcg. In animals receiving a high-protein diet with low SAA content, the kidney excreted alkaline urine, with low levels of NH4 (+) and no change in bone metabolism. Thus, the acid load associated with high-protein diets causes a concerted response of various nephron segments to excrete acid, mostly in the form of NH4 (+), that requires Rhcg. Furthermore, bone metabolism is altered by a high-protein acidogenic diet, presumably to buffer the acid load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Bounoure
- Institute of Physiology and Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; and
| | - Davide Ruffoni
- Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ralph Müller
- Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Soline Bourgeois
- Institute of Physiology and Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; and
| | - Olivier Devuyst
- Institute of Physiology and Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; and
| | - Carsten A Wagner
- Institute of Physiology and Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; and
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Lee HW, Verlander JW, Handlogten ME, Han KH, Weiner ID. Effect of collecting duct-specific deletion of both Rh B Glycoprotein (Rhbg) and Rh C Glycoprotein (Rhcg) on renal response to metabolic acidosis. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2013; 306:F389-400. [PMID: 24338819 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00176.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Rhesus (Rh) glycoproteins, Rh B and Rh C Glycoprotein (Rhbg and Rhcg, respectively), are ammonia-specific transporters expressed in renal distal nephron and collecting duct sites that are necessary for normal rates of ammonia excretion. The purpose of the current studies was to determine the effect of their combined deletion from the renal collecting duct (CD-Rhbg/Rhcg-KO) on basal and acidosis-stimulated acid-base homeostasis. Under basal conditions, urine pH and ammonia excretion and serum HCO3(-) were similar in control (C) and CD-Rhbg/Rhcg-KO mice. After acid-loading for 7 days, CD-Rhbg/Rhcg-KO mice developed significantly more severe metabolic acidosis than did C mice. Acid loading increased ammonia excretion, but ammonia excretion increased more slowly in CD-Rhbg/Rhcg-KO and it was significantly less than in C mice on days 1-5. Urine pH was significantly more acidic in CD-Rhbg/Rhcg-KO mice on days 1, 3, and 5 of acid loading. Metabolic acidosis increased phosphenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and Na(+)/H(+) exchanger NHE-3 and decreased glutamine synthetase (GS) expression in both genotypes, and these changes were significantly greater in CD-Rhbg/Rhcg-KO than in C mice. We conclude that 1) Rhbg and Rhcg are critically important in the renal response to metabolic acidosis; 2) the significantly greater changes in PEPCK, NHE-3, and GS expression in acid-loaded CD-Rhbg/Rhcg-KO compared with acid-loaded C mice cause the role of Rhbg and Rhcg to be underestimated quantitatively; and 3) in mice with intact Rhbg and Rhcg expression, metabolic acidosis does not induce maximal changes in PEPCK, NHE-3, and GS expression despite the presence of persistent metabolic acidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Wook Lee
- Div. of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Transplantation, Univ. of Florida College of Medicine, PO Box 100224, Gainesville, FL 32610.
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29
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Christensen EI, Wagner CA, Kaissling B. Uriniferous tubule: structural and functional organization. Compr Physiol 2013; 2:805-61. [PMID: 23961562 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c100073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The uriniferous tubule is divided into the proximal tubule, the intermediate (thin) tubule, the distal tubule and the collecting duct. The present chapter is based on the chapters by Maunsbach and Christensen on the proximal tubule, and by Kaissling and Kriz on the distal tubule and collecting duct in the 1992 edition of the Handbook of Physiology, Renal Physiology. It describes the fine structure (light and electron microscopy) of the entire mammalian uriniferous tubule, mainly in rats, mice, and rabbits. The structural data are complemented by recent data on the location of the major transport- and transport-regulating proteins, revealed by morphological means(immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and/or mRNA in situ hybridization). The structural differences along the uriniferous tubule strictly coincide with the distribution of the major luminal and basolateral transport proteins and receptors and both together provide the basis for the subdivision of the uriniferous tubule into functional subunits. Data on structural adaptation to defined functional changes in vivo and to genetical alterations of specified proteins involved in transepithelial transport importantly deepen our comprehension of the correlation of structure and function in the kidney, of the role of each segment or cell type in the overall renal function,and our understanding of renal pathophysiology.
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30
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Lee HW, Verlander JW, Handlogten ME, Han KH, Cooke PS, Weiner ID. Expression of the rhesus glycoproteins, ammonia transporter family members, RHCG and RHBG in male reproductive organs. Reproduction 2013; 146:283-96. [PMID: 23904565 DOI: 10.1530/rep-13-0154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The rhesus glycoproteins, Rh B glycoprotein (RHBG) and Rh C glycoprotein (RHCG), are recently identified ammonia transporters. Rhcg expression is necessary for normal male fertility, but its specific cellular expression is unknown, and Rhbg has not been reported to be expressed in the male reproductive tract. This study sought to determine the specific cellular expression of Rhcg, to determine whether Rhbg is expressed in the male reproductive tract, and, if so, to determine which cells express Rhbg using real-time RT-PCR, immunoblot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. Both Rhbg and Rhcg were expressed throughout the male reproductive tract. In the testis, high levels of Rhbg were expressed in Leydig cells, and Rhcg was expressed in spermatids during the later stages of their maturation (steps 13-16) in stages I-VIII of the seminiferous epithelium cycle. In the epididymis, basolateral Rhbg was present in narrow cells in the initial segment, in principal cells in the upper corpus, and in clear cells throughout the epididymis. Apical Rhcg immunolabel was present in principal cells in the caput and upper corpus epididymidis and in clear cells in the middle and lower corpus and cauda epididymidis. In the vas deferens, apical Rhcg immunolabel and basolateral Rhbg immunolabel were present in some principal cells and colocalized with H(+)-ATPase immunolabel. We conclude that both Rhbg and Rhcg are highly expressed in specific cells in the male reproductive tract where they can contribute to multiple components of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Wook Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, P.O. Box 100224, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
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Verlander JW, Chu D, Lee HW, Handlogten ME, Weiner ID. Expression of glutamine synthetase in the mouse kidney: localization in multiple epithelial cell types and differential regulation by hypokalemia. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2013; 305:F701-13. [PMID: 23804452 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00030.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal glutamine synthetase catalyzes the reaction of NH4+ with glutamate, forming glutamine and decreasing the ammonia available for net acid excretion. The purpose of the present study was to determine glutamine synthetase's specific cellular expression in the mouse kidney and its regulation by hypokalemia, a common cause of altered renal ammonia metabolism. Glutamine synthetase mRNA and protein were present in the renal cortex and in both the outer and inner stripes of the outer medulla. Immunohistochemistry showed glutamine synthetase expression throughout the entire proximal tubule and in nonproximal tubule cells. Double immunolabel with cell-specific markers demonstrated glutamine synthetase expression in type A intercalated cells, non-A, non-B intercalated cells, and distal convoluted tubule cells, but not in principal cells, type B intercalated cells, or connecting segment cells. Hypokalemia induced by feeding a nominally K+ -free diet for 12 days decreased glutamine synthetase expression throughout the entire proximal tubule and in the distal convoluted tubule and simultaneously increased glutamine synthetase expression in type A intercalated cells in both the cortical and outer medullary collecting duct. We conclude that glutamine synthetase is widely and specifically expressed in renal epithelial cells and that the regulation of expression differs in specific cell populations. Glutamine synthetase is likely to mediate an important role in renal ammonia metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, Univ. of Florida College of Medicine, PO Box 100224, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
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Han KH, Lee HW, Handlogten ME, Whitehill F, Osis G, Croker BP, Clapp WL, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. Expression of the ammonia transporter family member, Rh B Glycoprotein, in the human kidney. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2013; 304:F972-81. [PMID: 23324176 PMCID: PMC3625849 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00550.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 01/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ammonia transporter family member, Rh B Glycoprotein (RhBG/Rhbg), is essential for ammonia transport by the rodent kidney, but in the human kidney mRNA but not protein expression has been reported. Because ammonia transport is fundamental for acid-base homeostasis, the current study addressed RhBG expression in the human kidney. Two distinct RhBG mRNA sequences have been reported, with different numbers of consecutive cytosines at nt1265 and thus encoding different carboxy-tails. Sequencing the region of difference in both human kidney and liver mRNA showed eight sequential cytosines, not seven as in some reports. Knowing the correct mRNA sequence for RhBG, we then assessed RhBG protein expression using antibodies against the correct amino acid sequence. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated RhBG protein expression in human kidney and immunohistochemistry identified basolateral RhBG in connecting segment (CNT) and the cortical and outer medullary collecting ducts. Colocalization of RhBG with multiple cell-specific markers demonstrated that that CNT cells and collecting duct type A intercalated cells express high levels of RhBG, and type B intercalated cells and principal cells do not express detectable RhBG. Thus, these studies identify the correct mRNA and thus protein sequence for human RhBG and show that the human kidney expresses basolateral RhBG protein in CNT, type A intercalated cells, and non-A, non-B cells. We conclude that RhBG can mediate an important role in human renal ammonia transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Hwan Han
- Department of Anatomy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Mary E. Handlogten
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Florence Whitehill
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Gunars Osis
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Byron P. Croker
- Department of Pathology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Pathology Service, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida; and
| | - William L. Clapp
- Department of Pathology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Pathology Service, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida; and
| | - Jill W. Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I. David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Nephrology and Hypertension Section, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida
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Bishop JM, Lee HW, Handlogten ME, Han KH, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. Intercalated cell-specific Rh B glycoprotein deletion diminishes renal ammonia excretion response to hypokalemia. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2013; 304:F422-31. [PMID: 23220726 PMCID: PMC3566498 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00301.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ammonia transporter family member, Rh B Glycoprotein (Rhbg), is an ammonia-specific transporter heavily expressed in the kidney and is necessary for the normal increase in ammonia excretion in response to metabolic acidosis. Hypokalemia is a common clinical condition in which there is increased renal ammonia excretion despite the absence of metabolic acidosis. The purpose of this study was to examine Rhbg's role in this response through the use of mice with intercalated cell-specific Rhbg deletion (IC-Rhbg-KO). Hypokalemia induced by feeding a K(+)-free diet increased urinary ammonia excretion significantly. In mice with intact Rhbg expression, hypokalemia increased Rhbg protein expression in intercalated cells in the cortical collecting duct (CCD) and in the outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD). Deletion of Rhbg from intercalated cells inhibited hypokalemia-induced changes in urinary total ammonia excretion significantly and completely prevented hypokalemia-induced increases in urinary ammonia concentration, but did not alter urinary pH. We conclude that hypokalemia increases Rhbg expression in intercalated cells in the cortex and outer medulla and that intercalated cell Rhbg expression is necessary for the normal increase in renal ammonia excretion in response to hypokalemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse M Bishop
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Abstract
Renal ammonia metabolism and transport mediates a central role in acid-base homeostasis. In contrast to most renal solutes, the majority of renal ammonia excretion derives from intrarenal production, not from glomerular filtration. Renal ammoniagenesis predominantly results from glutamine metabolism, which produces 2 NH4(+) and 2 HCO3(-) for each glutamine metabolized. The proximal tubule is the primary site for ammoniagenesis, but there is evidence for ammoniagenesis by most renal epithelial cells. Ammonia produced in the kidney is either excreted into the urine or returned to the systemic circulation through the renal veins. Ammonia excreted in the urine promotes acid excretion; ammonia returned to the systemic circulation is metabolized in the liver in a HCO3(-)-consuming process, resulting in no net benefit to acid-base homeostasis. Highly regulated ammonia transport by renal epithelial cells determines the proportion of ammonia excreted in the urine versus returned to the systemic circulation. The traditional paradigm of ammonia transport involving passive NH3 diffusion, protonation in the lumen and NH4(+) trapping due to an inability to cross plasma membranes is being replaced by the recognition of limited plasma membrane NH3 permeability in combination with the presence of specific NH3-transporting and NH4(+)-transporting proteins in specific renal epithelial cells. Ammonia production and transport are regulated by a variety of factors, including extracellular pH and K(+), and by several hormones, such as mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids and angiotensin II. This coordinated process of regulated ammonia production and transport is critical for the effective maintenance of acid-base homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- I David Weiner
- Nephrology and Hypertension Section, NF/SGVHS, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
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Lee HW, Verlander JW, Bishop JM, Handlogten ME, Han KH, Weiner ID. Renal ammonia excretion in response to hypokalemia: effect of collecting duct-specific Rh C glycoprotein deletion. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2012. [PMID: 23195675 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00300.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Rhesus factor protein, Rh C glycoprotein (Rhcg), is an ammonia transporter whose expression in the collecting duct is necessary for normal ammonia excretion both in basal conditions and in response to metabolic acidosis. Hypokalemia is a common clinical condition associated with increased renal ammonia excretion. In contrast to basal conditions and metabolic acidosis, increased ammonia excretion during hypokalemia can lead to an acid-base disorder, metabolic alkalosis, rather than maintenance of acid-base homeostasis. The purpose of the current studies was to determine Rhcg's role in hypokalemia-stimulated renal ammonia excretion through the use of mice with collecting duct-specific Rhcg deletion (CD-Rhcg-KO). In mice with intact Rhcg expression, a K(+)-free diet increased urinary ammonia excretion and urine alkalinization and concurrently increased Rhcg expression in the collecting duct in the outer medulla. Immunohistochemistry and immunogold electron microscopy showed hypokalemia increased both apical and basolateral Rhcg expression. In CD-Rhcg-KO, a K(+)-free diet increased urinary ammonia excretion and caused urine alkalinization, and the magnitude of these changes did not differ from mice with intact Rhcg expression. In mice on a K(+)-free diet, CD-Rhcg-KO increased phosphate-dependent glutaminase (PDG) expression in the outer medulla. We conclude that hypokalemia increases collecting duct Rhcg expression, that this likely contributes to the hypokalemia-stimulated increase in urinary ammonia excretion, and that adaptive increases in PDG expression can compensate for the absence of collecting duct Rhcg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Perazzo JC, Tallis S, Delfante A, Souto PA, Lemberg A, Eizayaga FX, Romay S. Hepatic encephalopathy: An approach to its multiple pathophysiological features. World J Hepatol 2012; 4:50-65. [PMID: 22489256 PMCID: PMC3321490 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v4.i3.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2011] [Revised: 11/19/2011] [Accepted: 02/24/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric complex syndrome, ranging from subtle behavioral abnormalities to deep coma and death. Hepatic encephalopathy emerges as the major complication of acute or chronic liver failure. Multiplicity of factors are involved in its pathophysiology, such as central and neuromuscular neurotransmission disorder, alterations in sleep patterns and cognition, changes in energy metabolism leading to cell injury, an oxidative/nitrosative state and a neuroinflammatory condition. Moreover, in acute HE, a condition of imminent threat of death is present due to a deleterious astrocyte swelling. In chronic HE, changes in calcium signaling, mitochondrial membrane potential and long term potential expression, N-methyl-D-aspartate-cGMP and peripheral benzodiazepine receptors alterations, and changes in the mRNA and protein expression and redistribution in the cerebral blood flow can be observed. The main molecule indicated as responsible for all these changes in HE is ammonia. There is no doubt that ammonia, a neurotoxic molecule, triggers or at least facilitates most of these changes. Ammonia plasma levels are increased two- to three-fold in patients with mild to moderate cirrhotic HE and up to ten-fold in patients with acute liver failure. Hepatic and inter-organ trafficking of ammonia and its metabolite, glutamine (GLN), lead to hyperammonemic conditions. Removal of hepatic ammonia is a differentiated work that includes the hepatocyte, through the urea cycle, converting ammonia into GLN via glutamine synthetase. Under pathological conditions, such as liver damage or liver blood by-pass, the ammonia plasma level starts to rise and the risk of HE developing is high. Knowledge of the pathophysiology of HE is rapidly expanding and identification of focally localized triggers has led the development of new possibilities for HE to be considered. This editorial will focus on issues where, to the best of our knowledge, more research is needed in order to clarify, at least partially, controversial topics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Perazzo
- Juan Carlos Perazzo, Silvina Tallis, Amalia Delfante, Pablo Andrés Souto, Abraham Lemberg, Francisco Xavier Eizayaga, Salvador Romay, Laboratory of Portal Hypertension and Hepatic Encephalopathy, Pathophysiology, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Junin 950, CP 1113, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Liu W, Pastor-Soler NM, Schreck C, Zavilowitz B, Kleyman TR, Satlin LM. Luminal flow modulates H+-ATPase activity in the cortical collecting duct (CCD). Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2012; 302:F205-15. [PMID: 21957178 PMCID: PMC3251342 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00179.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2011] [Accepted: 09/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC)-mediated Na(+) absorption and BK channel-mediated K(+) secretion in the cortical collecting duct (CCD) are modulated by flow, the latter requiring an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)), microtubule integrity, and exocytic insertion of preformed channels into the apical membrane. As axial flow modulates HCO(3)(-) reabsorption in the proximal tubule due to changes in both luminal Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 3 and H(+)-ATPase activity (Du Z, Yan Q, Duan Y, Weinbaum S, Weinstein AM, Wang T. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 290: F289-F296, 2006), we sought to test the hypothesis that flow also regulates H(+)-ATPase activity in the CCD. H(+)-ATPase activity was assayed in individually identified cells in microperfused CCDs isolated from New Zealand White rabbits, loaded with the pH-sensitive dye BCECF, and then subjected to an acute intracellular acid load (NH(4)Cl prepulse technique). H(+)-ATPase activity was defined as the initial rate of bafilomycin-inhibitable cell pH (pH(i)) recovery in the absence of luminal K(+), bilateral Na(+), and CO(2)/HCO(3)(-), from a nadir pH of ∼6.2. We found that 1) an increase in luminal flow rate from ∼1 to 5 nl·min(-1)·mm(-1) stimulated H(+)-ATPase activity, 2) flow-stimulated H(+) pumping was Ca(2+) dependent and required microtubule integrity, and 3) basal and flow-stimulated pH(i) recovery was detected in cells that labeled with the apical principal cell marker rhodamine Dolichos biflorus agglutinin as well as cells that did not. We conclude that luminal flow modulates H(+)-ATPase activity in the rabbit CCD and that H(+)-ATPases therein are present in both principal and intercalated cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Liu
- Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1198, New York, NY 10029, USA
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Han KH, Lee HW, Handlogten ME, Bishop JM, Levi M, Kim J, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. Effect of hypokalemia on renal expression of the ammonia transporter family members, Rh B Glycoprotein and Rh C Glycoprotein, in the rat kidney. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2011; 301:F823-32. [PMID: 21753075 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00266.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypokalemia is a common electrolyte disorder that increases renal ammonia metabolism and can cause the development of an acid-base disorder, metabolic alkalosis. The ammonia transporter family members, Rh B glycoprotein (Rhbg) and Rh C glycoprotein (Rhcg), are expressed in the distal nephron and collecting duct and mediate critical roles in acid-base homeostasis by facilitating ammonia secretion. In the current studies, the effect of hypokalemia on renal Rhbg and Rhcg expression was examined. Normal Sprague-Dawley rats received either K(+)-free or control diets for 2 wk. Rats receiving the K(+)-deficient diet developed hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis associated with significant increases in both urinary ammonia excretion and urine pH. Rhcg expression increased in the outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD). In OMCD intercalated cells, hypokalemia resulted in more discrete apical Rhcg expression and a marked increase in apical plasma membrane immunolabel. In principal cells, in the OMCD, hypokalemia increased both apical and basolateral Rhcg immunolabel intensity. Cortical Rhcg expression was not detectably altered by immunohistochemistry, although there was a slight decrease in total expression by immunoblot analysis. Rhbg protein expression was decreased slightly in the cortex and not detectably altered in the outer medulla. We conclude that in rat OMCD, hypokalemia increases Rhcg expression, causes more polarized apical expression in intercalated cells, and increases both apical and basolateral expression in the principal cell. Increased plasma membrane Rhcg expression in response to hypokalemia in the rat, particularly in the OMCD, likely contributes to the increased ammonia excretion and thereby to the development of metabolic alkalosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Hwan Han
- Anatomy Department, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
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Weiner ID, Verlander JW. Role of NH3 and NH4+ transporters in renal acid-base transport. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2011; 300:F11-23. [PMID: 21048022 PMCID: PMC3023229 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00554.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2010] [Accepted: 11/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal ammonia excretion is the predominant component of renal net acid excretion. The majority of ammonia excretion is produced in the kidney and then undergoes regulated transport in a number of renal epithelial segments. Recent findings have substantially altered our understanding of renal ammonia transport. In particular, the classic model of passive, diffusive NH3 movement coupled with NH4+ "trapping" is being replaced by a model in which specific proteins mediate regulated transport of NH3 and NH4+ across plasma membranes. In the proximal tubule, the apical Na+/H+ exchanger, NHE-3, is a major mechanism of preferential NH4+ secretion. In the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop, the apical Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter, NKCC2, is a major contributor to ammonia reabsorption and the basolateral Na+/H+ exchanger, NHE-4, appears to be important for basolateral NH4+ exit. The collecting duct is a major site for renal ammonia secretion, involving parallel H+ secretion and NH3 secretion. The Rhesus glycoproteins, Rh B Glycoprotein (Rhbg) and Rh C Glycoprotein (Rhcg), are recently recognized ammonia transporters in the distal tubule and collecting duct. Rhcg is present in both the apical and basolateral plasma membrane, is expressed in parallel with renal ammonia excretion, and mediates a critical role in renal ammonia excretion and collecting duct ammonia transport. Rhbg is expressed specifically in the basolateral plasma membrane, and its role in renal acid-base homeostasis is controversial. In the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD), basolateral Na+-K+-ATPase enables active basolateral NH4+ uptake. In addition to these proteins, several other proteins also contribute to renal NH3/NH4+ transport. The role and mechanisms of these proteins are discussed in depth in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
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Abstract
The traditional dogma has been that all gases diffuse through all membranes simply by dissolving in the lipid phase of the membrane. Although this mechanism may explain how most gases move through most membranes, it is now clear that some membranes have no demonstrable gas permeability, and that at least two families of membrane proteins, the aquaporins (AQPs) and the Rhesus (Rh) proteins, can each serve as pathways for the diffusion of both CO2 and NH3. The knockout of RhCG in the renal collecting duct leads to the predicted consequences in acid–base physiology, providing a clear-cut role for at least one gas channel in the normal physiology of mammals. In our laboratory, we have found that surface-pH (pHS) transients provide a sensitive approach for detecting CO2 and NH3 movement across the cell membranes of Xenopus oocytes. Using this approach, we have found that each tested AQP and Rh protein has its own characteristic CO2/NH3 permeability ratio, which provides the first demonstration of gas selectivity by a channel. Our preliminary AQP1 data suggest that all the NH3 and less than half of the CO2 move along with H2O through the four monomeric aquapores. The majority of CO2 takes an alternative route through AQP1, possibly the central pore at the four-fold axis of symmetry. Preliminary data with two Rh proteins, bacterial AmtB and human erythroid RhAG, suggest a similar story, with all the NH3 moving through the three monomeric NH3 pores and the CO2 taking a separate route, perhaps the central pore at the three-fold axis of symmetry. The movement of different gases via different pathways is likely to underlie the gas selectivity that these channels exhibit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter F Boron
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4970, USA.
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Bishop JM, Verlander JW, Lee HW, Nelson RD, Weiner AJ, Handlogten ME, Weiner ID. Role of the Rhesus glycoprotein, Rh B glycoprotein, in renal ammonia excretion. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2010; 299:F1065-77. [PMID: 20719974 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00277.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rh B glycoprotein (Rhbg) is a member of the Rh glycoprotein family of ammonia transporters. In the current study, we examine Rhbg's role in basal and acidosis-stimulated acid-base homeostasis. Metabolic acidosis induced by HCl administration increased Rhbg expression in both the cortex and outer medulla. To test the functional significance of increased Rhbg expression, we used a Cre-loxP approach to generate mice with intercalated cell-specific Rhbg knockout (IC-Rhbg-KO). On normal diet, intercalated cell-specific Rhbg deletion did not alter urine ammonia excretion, pH, or titratable acid excretion significantly, but it did decrease glutamine synthetase expression in the outer medulla significantly. After metabolic acidosis was induced, urinary ammonia excretion was significantly less in IC-Rhbg-KO than in control (C) mice on days 2-4 of acid loading, but not on day 5. Urine pH and titratable acid excretion and dietary acid intake did not differ significantly between acid-loaded IC-Rhcg-KO and C mice. In IC-Rhbg-KO mice, acid loading increased connecting segment (CNT) cell and outer medullary collecting duct principal cell Rhbg expression. In both C and IC-Rhbg-KO mice, acid loading decreased glutamine synthetase in both the cortex and outer medulla; the decrease on day 3 was similar in IC-Rhbg-KO and C mice, but on day 5 it was significantly greater in IC-Rhbg-KO than in C mice. We conclude 1) intercalated cell Rhbg contributes to acidosis-stimulated renal ammonia excretion, 2) Rhbg in CNT and principal cells may contribute to renal ammonia excretion, and 3) decreased glutamine synthetase expression may enable normal rates of ammonia excretion under both basal conditions and on day 5 of acid loading in IC-Rhbg-KO mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse M Bishop
- Div. of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Transplantation, P.O. Box 100224, Univ. of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610-0224, USA
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