The Origin of Regenerating Mesothelium: A Historical Perspective

Bichat first described the mesothelium in 1827 but despite its early discovery, it has only been in recent years that its importance both in health and disease has been realised. One area still poorly understood is that of the mechanisms regulating mesothelial repair. Mesothelial cells are derived from the mesoderm but express many epithelial characteristics. However, mesothelium does not heal in the same way as other epithelial-like cells. Epithelium heals by centripetal migration, with cells at the edge of the wound proliferating and migrating into the injured area. Hertzler in 1919 noted that both large and small peritoneal injuries healed within the same time frame, concluding that the mesothelium could not heal solely by centripetal migration. The exact mechanisms involved in mesothelial regeneration following injury are controversial with a number of proposals suggested to explain the origin of the regenerating cells. This review will examine these proposals and give some insights into the likely mechanisms involved.

Colon electrical stimulation: potential use for treatment of obesity

Obesity is one of the most prevalent health problems in the United States. Current therapeutic strategies for the treatment of obesity are unsatisfactory. We hypothesized the use of colon electrical stimulation (CES) to treat obesity by inhibiting upper gastrointestinal motility. In this preliminary study, we aimed at studying the effects of CES on gastric emptying of solid, intestinal motility, and food intake in dogs. Six dogs, equipped with serosal colon electrodes and a jejunal cannula, were randomly assigned to receive sham-CES or CES during the assessment of: (i) gastric emptying of solids, (ii) postprandial intestinal motility, (iii) autonomic functions, and (iv) food intake. We found that (i) CES delayed gastric emptying of solids by 77%. Guanethidine partially blocked the inhibitory effect of CES on solid gastric emptying; (ii) CES significantly reduced intestinal contractility and the effect lasted throughout the recovery period; (iii) CES decreased vagal activity in both fasting and fed states, increased the sympathovagal balance and marginally increased sympathetic activity in the fasting state; (iv) CES resulted in a reduction of 61% in food intake. CES reduces food intake in healthy dogs and the anorexigenic effect may be attributed to its inhibitory effects on gastric emptying and intestinal motility, mediated via the autonomic mechanisms. Further studies are warranted to investigate the therapeutic potential of CES for obesity.

Structure and function of the extraembryonic membrane persisting around the larvae of the parasitoid Toxoneuron nigriceps

The embryo of Toxoneuron nigriceps (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) is surrounded by an extraembryonic membrane, which, at hatching, releases teratocytes and gives rise to a cell layer embedding the body of the 1st instar larva. This cell layer was studied at different developmental times, from soon after hatching up to the first larval moult, in order to elucidate its ultrastructural, immunocytochemical and physiological function. The persisting "larval serosa" shows a striking structural and functional complexity: it is a multifunctional barrier with protective properties, limits the passage of macromolecules and it is actively involved in the enzymatic processing and uptake of nutrients. The reported results emphasizes the important role that the embryo-derived host regulation factors may have in parasitism success in Hymenoptera koinobionts.

Oncopeltus fasciatus zen is essential for serosal tissue function in katatrepsis

Unlike most Hox cluster genes, with their canonical role in anterior-posterior patterning of the embryo, the Hox3 orthologue of insects has diverged. Here, we investigate the zen orthologue in Oncopeltus fasciatus (Hemiptera:Heteroptera). As in other insects, the Of-zen gene is expressed extraembryonically, and RNA interference (RNAi) experiments demonstrate that it is functionally required in this domain for the proper occurrence of katatrepsis, the phase of embryonic movements by which the embryo emerges from the yolk and adjusts its orientation within the egg. After RNAi knockdown of Of-zen, katatrepsis does not occur, causing embryos to complete development inside out. However, not all aspects of expression and function are conserved compared to grasshopper, beetle, and fly orthologues. Of-zen is not expressed in the extraembryonic tissue until relatively late, suggesting it is not involved in tissue specification. Within the extraembryonic domain, Of-zen is expressed in the outer serosal membrane, but unlike orthologues, it is not detectable in the inner extraembryonic membrane, the amnion. Thus, the role of zen in the interaction of serosa, amnion, and embryo may differ between species. Of-zen is also expressed in the blastoderm, although this early expression shows no apparent correlation with defects seen by RNAi knockdown.

Mesothelial primary cilia of peritoneal and other serosal surfaces

The conspicuous presence of primary cilia, a small immotile cilium present on most cell types, left researchers with little doubt of their functional relevance. Recently mechanosensitive functional significance was established and a link with the pathogenesis of polycystic kidney disease. Together these discoveries have raised the profile of this, previously considered "vestigial", organelle. Primary cilia are expressed on the apical surface of serosal mesothelium and display regional variation but are more abundant on biosynthetically active cells. Adult mesothelial cells are highly biosynthetic producing a phospholipid rich surfactant that lubricates and protects the visceral organs. The mesothelium is utilized as a semipermeable membrane during peritoneal dialysis for patients with end stage renal failure. However, little is known about the functional role of primary cilia on this highly specialized cell type. The present review, examines the significance of the primary cilium in serosal mesothelial cell biology with an emphasis on ciliary location, structure, form and function. Future research is identified and discussed in view of the emerging role cilia have in other cells and the established function of the serosal mesothelium in development, normal function, peritoneal dialysis and pathology of the serosal membranes.

The mesothelial cell

Mesothelial cells form a monolayer of specialised pavement-like cells that line the body's serous cavities and internal organs. The primary function of this layer, termed the mesothelium, is to provide a slippery, non-adhesive and protective surface. However, mesothelial cells play other pivotal roles involving transport of fluid and cells across the serosal cavities, antigen presentation, inflammation and tissue repair, coagulation and fibrinolysis and tumour cell adhesion. Injury to the mesothelium triggers events leading to the migration of mesothelial cells from the edge of the lesion towards the wound centre and desquamation of cells into the serosal fluid which attach and incorporate into the regenerating mesothelium. If healing is impaired, fibrous serosal adhesions form between organs and the body wall which impede vital intrathoracic and abdominal movement. Neoplastic transformation of mesothelial cells gives rise to malignant mesothelioma, an aggressive tumour predominantly of the pleura. Although closely associated with exposure to asbestos, recent studies have implicated other factors including simian virus 40 (SV40) in its pathogenesis.

Evidence for incorporation of free-floating mesothelial cells as a mechanism of serosal healing

Regeneration of the mesothelium is unlike that of other epithelial-like surfaces, as healing does not occur solely by centripetal migration of cells from the wound edge. The mechanism of repair of mesothelium is controversial,but it is widely accepted, without compelling evidence, that pluripotent cells beneath the mesothelium migrate to the surface and differentiate into mesothelial cells. In this study we examined an alternative hypothesis, using in vivo cell-tracking studies, that repair involves implantation,proliferation and incorporation of free-floating mesothelial cells into the regenerating mesothelium. Cultured mesothelial cells, fibroblasts and peritoneal lavage cells were DiI- or PKH26-PCL-labelled and injected into rats immediately following mesothelial injury. Implantation of labelled cells was assessed on mesothelial imprints using confocal microscopy, and cell proliferation was determined by proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunolabelling. Incorporation of labelled cells, assessed by the formation of apical junctional complexes, was shown by confocal imaging of zonula occludens-1 protein. Labelled cultured mesothelial and peritoneal lavage cells, but not cultured fibroblasts, implanted onto the wound surface 3, 5 and 8 days after injury. These cells proliferated and incorporated into the regenerated mesothelium, as demonstrated by nuclear proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining and membrane-localised zonula occludens-1 expression,respectively. Furthermore, immunolocalisation of the mesothelial cell marker HBME-1 demonstrated that the incorporated, labelled lavage-derived cells were mesothelial cells and not macrophages as it had previously been suggested. This study has clearly shown that serosal healing involves implantation,proliferation and incorporation of free-floating mesothelial cells into the regenerating mesothelium.

Urea modifies the permeability of the mammalian urothelium

PURPOSE

This study investigated the effects of mucosal (urine side) and serosal (blood side) urea on the permeability properties of the in vitro mammalian urinary bladder epithelium.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The permeability properties of the rabbit urinary bladder epithelium were studied in modified Ussing chambers using electrophysiological techniques.

RESULTS

Addition of two molar urea to the mucosal solution did not cause a significant change in the short circuit current (Isc, a measure of the ion transport capacity of the epithelium), or the transepithelial conductance (Gt, a measure of the ability of ions to diffuse across the epithelium). In contrast, addition of 0.5 M urea to the serosal solution caused an increase in Gt of approximately 35 microS/cm.2 as well as an increase in Isc over a 5 minute period. The site of the conductance increase by short-term serosal urea was at the apical membrane and not at the tight junctions. The urea-induced conductance completely reversed upon removal of urea, was non-selective, and the magnitude was voltage dependent. Long term serosal urea (greater than 30 minutes) resulted in an irreversible increase in transepithelial conductance. Mucosal urea altered the time course but not the magnitude of the serosal urea-induced conductance.

CONCLUSIONS

The ion permeability of the mammalian urinary bladder is increased by serosal urea. At short times the increase is at the apical membrane, while at long times the increase is at the tight junctions. The presence of mucosal urea slows the loss of urothelial barrier function caused by serosal urea.

Postprandial response of gastric slow waves: correlation of serosal recordings with the electrogastrogram

Controversial interpretations have been given to the postprandial increase in the dominant power (amplitude) of the electrogastrogram (EGG). The aim of this study was to find an appropriate interpretation of the postprandial EGG power changes. Simultaneous serosal and cutaneous recordings of gastric myoelectrical activity were made in 11 patients with gastroparesis in the fasting state and after the ingestion of 8 oz of water. The dominant frequency and corresponding power of the recording before and after water were computed using the power spectral analysis method. It was found that the dominant frequency of the EGG was the same as that of the serosal recording in 10 patients. One patient showed a substantial amount of dysrhythmia and no obvious dominant frequency was noted. A decrease in the dominant frequency was found in these 10 patients after the ingestion of water. Tachygastria of higher than 4 cycles/min was observed in one of 11 patients both in the prewater and postwater states. Consistent changes in amplitude after a drink of water were noted in both serosal recording and EGG. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the dominant power change after water computed from the EGG was correlated with that observed in the serosal recording (r = 0.757, P = 0.007). In conclusion, exogenous stimulation, such as ingestion of water, may change the amplitude of the gastric slow wave and this change is reflected in the EGG, suggesting that the change of the slow-wave amplitude is an important contributing factor to the postprandial change in the EGG dominant power.

Entrainment of segmental small intestinal slow waves with electrical stimulation in dogs

The aim of this study was to derive effective pacing parameters for the entrainment of segmental intestinal myoelectrical activity. The study was performed in 12 dogs. Four pairs of electrodes were implanted on the serosa of the jejunum. Electrical stimulation of the small intestine was performed via the most proximal pair. For the slow waves within a distance of 5 cm, a complete entrainment was achieved with a pacing frequency of 1.1 times the intrinsic frequency (IF), a pulse width of 140 msec, and an amplitude of 4 mA. The time required for the entrainment was 25.6 +/- 2.7 sec. The maximum driven frequency was 1.38 +/- 0.03 IF. The percentage of the entrainment at this frequency was 44.0 +/- 3.9%. The data indicate that pacing is able to completely entrain segmental intestinal myoelectrical activity, suggesting that normalization of intestinal myoelectrical dysrhythmia is feasible with pacing.

Tribolium embryogenesis: a SEM study of cell shapes and movements from blastoderm to serosal closure

Embryogenesis in the beetle Tribolium is of increasing interest to both molecular and evolutionary biology because it differs from the Drosophila paradigm by its type of segment specification (short- vs. long-germ) and by the extensive epithelial envelopes - amnion and serosa - that are typical of most insects but not of higher dipterans. Using scanning electron microscopy of DAPI staged embryos we document development in Tribolium castaneum from blastoderm to completion of the envelopes, recording many details not otherwise accessible; we also provide a time table of the respective stages at 30 degrees C. The nascent blastoderm cells remain basally confluent with the yolksac until after the 13th (=last synchronous) mitotic cycle. The cells in the prospective serosa - the first domain to segregate visibly from the uniform blastoderm - carry surface protrusions likely to contact the overlying vitelline envelope. The embryonic rudiment, the other (and larger) blastodermal domain, gives rise to amnion and germ anlage. In the latter, visible differentiation begins with a "primitive pit" reminiscent of the posterior midgut rudiment of Drosophila. The subsequent invagination of the mesoderm resembles Drosophila gastrulation, except in the head region where the median groove extends through the entire preoral region. The prospective amnion starts differing visibly from the germ anlage during early gastrulation. It then folds underneath the spreading serosa and, advancing with the latter, closes the amniotic cavity at the ventral face of the germband. The largest (=posterior) amniotic fold covers a crestlike protrusion of the yolksac. Together with marked changes in the shape and arrangement of the amnion cells, this protrusion may contribute to the fold's elevation and early progress.

What can be measured from surface electrogastrography. Computer simulations

The aims of this study were to investigate the detectability of the propagation of the gastric slow wave from the cutaneous electrogastrogram (EGG) and the patterns of the EGG when the gastric slow waves are uncoupled. A mathematical model was established based on the volume conductor theory to simulate the transfer of the serosal gastric slow wave from the stomach to the abdominal surface. A number of computer simulations were conducted using the model, and the periodic cross-correlation function was used to estimate the phase shift between the four channels. It was found that the propagation of the gastric slow wave was detectable from the multichannel EGG signals. The detectability of the propagation was, however, associated with a number of factors, such as the thickness of the abdominal wall and the propagation velocity of the serosal slow wave. The amplitude of the EGG was found to be associated with the coupling/uncoupling and propagation velocity of the gastric slow wave. The amplitude of the EGG increased when the propagation velocity of the gastric slow wave increased. The amplitude of the EGG was substantially decreased when the gastric slow waves were uncoupled. The uncoupling of the gastric slow wave at a frequency of 3 cpm produced dysrhythmias in the EGG, including tachygastria, bradygastria, and arrhythmia. The power spectra of simulated different positional EGG signals showed similar patterns when the gastric slow wave was coupled and different and unpredictable patterns when the gastric slow wave was uncoupled. In conclusion, multichannel EGG recordings may be necessary to obtain more information on gastric slow waves from the abdominal electrodes. The propagation and coupling or uncoupling of the gastric slow wave may be detected from multichannel EGG recordings.

Correlation and comparison of magnetic and electric detection of small intestinal electrical activity

The small intestinal basic electrical rhythm (BER) was detected simultaneously with serosal electrodes and a transabdominal superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer in anesthetized rabbits. We induced mesenteric ischemia to correlate serosal electrode recording of changes in BER with the SQUID magnetometer. The BER frequency was obtained by spectral analysis of the data using Fourier and autoregressive techniques. There was a high degree of correlation (r = 0.96) between the BER frequency determined using the serosal electrodes and the BER frequency ascertained from SQUID data. Additionally, the effects of an electrical insulator on the external electric and magnetic fields were studied in the rabbit model. The presence of an insulator profoundly attenuates external electric potentials recorded by cutaneous electrodes but does not significantly affect external magnetic fields or serosal potentials. We conclude that SQUID magnetometers could noninvasively record small intestinal BER that was highly correlated with the activity recorded by invasive serosal electrodes. The advantages of magnetic field measurements have encouraged us to investigate clinical applications.

Carbachol, but not forskolin, increases mucosal-to-serosal transport of intact protein in rat ileum in vitro

The effects of the secretagogues forskolin and carbachol on protein uptake in isolated ileum of rats were studied. The mucosal-to-serosal transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP, mol mass 40 kDa) was measured in Ussing chambers, and afterwards tissues were processed for electron microscopy. In the absence of secretagogues, the flux of enzymatically active HRP was 5 pmol.cm-2.h-1 at a mucosal concentration of 10 microM. Electron micrographs showed vesicles filled with active HRP in enterocytes but no HRP activity in intercellular spaces. Forskolin decreased HRP activity in the cells. Carbachol increased the amount of HRP-filled vesicles in enterocytes and induced HRP filling in some intercellular spaces and tight junctions in the upper parts of the villi. The transepithelial flux of intact HRP increased more than 2.5-fold. This effect was suppressed by atropine. We conclude that cholinergic activation can increase the uptake of intact protein via endocytosis and the transepithelial passage by the induction of a diffusional paracellular pathway. We speculate that the increased transport of intact protein through the intestinal barrier may influence immunologic sensitization to food allergens.

Properties of K+ currents recorded from cultured ovine trachea submucosal gland cells

We have used the whole cell recording technique to investigate voltage-activated outward currents in cultured ovine trachea submucosal gland cells. The cultured gland cells secreted lysozyme in response to secretagogues, methacholine (20 microM), phenylephrine (100 microM) and substance P (10 microM). Most cells in culture for 7-21 days expressed a voltage-activated outward current at potentials positive to -30 mV. This outward current inactivated slowly, by 44 +/- 6% during a 3 sec depolarization to +30 mV. The voltage-activated outward current was sensitive to the potassium channel inhibitors tetraethylammonium bromide (5 mM), 4-aminopyridine (500 microM) and glibenclamide (1 microM). These data suggest that the outward voltage-activated currents observed are due to K+ channel activity. In cells with little or no outward current present the potassium channel opener Ro 31-6930 produced an additional voltage-activated net outward current. This effect of Ro 31-6930 was sensitive to glibenclamide (1 microM). Our results suggest that some cultured submucosal gland cells express voltage-activated K+ currents with a mixed pharmacology to antagonists and that a portion of this current is sensitive to modulation by Ro 31-6930.

Serosal and cutaneous recordings of gastric myoelectrical activity in patients with gastroparesis

The aims of this study were to 1) investigate gastric myoelectrical activity in patients with gastroparesis, 2) validate the cutaneous electrogastrogram (EGG) in tracking the frequency change of the gastric slow wave, and 3) investigate the effect of electrical stimulation on gastric myoelectrical activity. Gastric myoelectrical activity was recorded in 12 patients with documented gastroparesis using serosal electrodes for > 200 min in each subject. All recordings were made at least 4 days after surgery. Each session consisted of a 30-min recording in the fasting state and a 30-min recording after a test meal. The test meal (liquid or mixed) was selected according to patient's tolerance. Electrical stimulation was performed in three subjects via the serosal electrodes at a frequency of 3 cycles/min. Gastric myoelectrical activity was recorded using serosal electrodes in each session. The serosal recording showed slow waves of 2.5 to 4.0 cycles/min in all 12 subjects. Absence of spikes was noted in 11 of the 12 subjects. The simultaneous serosal and cutaneous recording of gastric myoelectrical activity showed that the frequency of the EGG was exactly the same as that of the serosal recording. Liquid meals resulted in a significant decrease in slow-wave frequency (Student's t test, P = 0.006), and the EGG accurately reflected this change. Electrical stimulation had no effect on the frequency of the gastric slow wave and did not induce spikes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Tight-junction tightness of Necturus gall bladder epithelium is not regulated by cAMP or intracellular Ca2+. I. Microscopic and general electrophysiological observations

Following the publications by Duffey et al. [Nature 294:451 (1981)] and Palant et al. [Am J Physiol 245: C203 (1983)] it is generally accepted that tight-junction tightness of Necturus gall bladder epithelium is up-regulated by cAMP-mediated and Ca(2+)-mediated stimulation. This conclusion was mainly based on observed increases in transepithelial resistance (Rt). However, since in leaky epithelia Rt cannot be simply equated with the tight junction resistance (Rj), but may include large contributions from the lateral space resistance (Rlis), we asked whether the observed increases in Rt resulted indeed from Rj or whether Rlis also increased. The experiments were performed on Necturus gall bladders using forskolin or the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 as stimulants. Forskolin (2 mumol/l) had a biphasic effect. In the first 5 min Rt decreased from 128 +/- 13 to 119 +/- 14 omega cm2 (P < 0.05, n = 10) which probably reflects stimulation of an apical cell membrane Cl- conductance (see accompanying paper). Subsequently Rt increased in approximately 30 min to 184 +/- 20 omega cm2 and then remained fairly constant. Simultaneously the lateral spaces collapsed. If the spaces were now transiently opened by passing mucosa-positive direct current across the epithelium, Rt fell transiently to 111 +/- 7 omega cm2, but returned gradually to its elevated level when the spaces collapsed again. When the spaces were constantly dilated by a serosa-positive hydrostatic pressure of 1 cm H2O, forskolin neither affected the space width nor increased Rt, and current passage was virtually ineffective, although the cells depolarized in response to forskolin as usual.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The perfused human bronchiolar tube characteristics of a new model

Strips or rings of airway tissue are often used to study contractile responses of human airways in vitro. These preparations have the disadvantage that it is impossible to deliver stimuli selectively to the mucosal or serosal surface. Hence, they allow only for a limited evaluation of the modulatory role of the airway epithelium. We developed an in vitro model that allows independent stimulation from either the serosal or the mucosal side of human peripheral airways. Segments of human peripheral airways were perfused with a Krebs solution at a constant pressure, and responsiveness was measured as a change in flow rate. Pressure/flow relationships indicated laminar flow over a wide pressure range, and a working pressure of 6 cm H2O was chosen because this is a physiological transpulmonary pressure. When stepwise stretching the airway to 180% of its length, we noted an increase in baseline flow and a decrease in flow reduction after methacholine 10(-5) M. At 140% of the length, accurate and reproducible measurements of the sensitivity (EC50) to methacholine were obtained, and airway closure did not occur. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the between-patients differences accounted for 91% of the total variability for -log EC50. We conclude that this in vitro model offers interesting possibilities for evaluating the modulatory effects of the human airway epithelium. In addition, the model provides the opportunity to study human small-airway mechanical properties and secretory functions.

Properties of active magnesium flux across the small intestine of the guinea pig

Steady-state net flux of Mg2+ was measured in everted preparations of guinea pig jejunum and ileum, and effects of anoxia, Na+ and Ca2+ concentration, ouabain, and Ca2+ channel blockers were examined. Uphill Mg2+ flux in the mucosal-to-serosal direction was seen in both intestinal segments, with the flux value being 1.5 times greater in the ileum than in the jejenum. The Mg2+ flux was 1.7 times greater than the net Ca2+ flux under the same experimental conditions. The Mg2+ flux was strongly dependent on oxygen and the presence of Na+ in the medium; both anoxia and total replacement of Na+ inhibited the flux by 90-100%. Also, ouabain added to the serosal side, and verapamil or D600 added to the mucosal side, inhibited the flux by about 90%. Inhibitory effects of both ouabain and Na(+)-free conditions were much greater for the Mg2+ flux than for the Ca2+ flux. A stepwise increase in Mg2+ concentration in a Na(+)-free mucosal solution caused a stepwise elevation of the mucosal negativity. The relative elevation of the evoked potential in response to Mg2+ concentration possessed saturable and linearly increasing components. Only the saturable component was found to be dependent on oxygen and sensitive to ouabain. Under the influence of ouabain and verapamil, the generation of the Mg(2+)-evoked potential was greatly inhibited. These findings suggest that Mg2+ is actively absorbed by the jejunum and ileum of the guinea pig, and that active transcellular transport involves a verapamil-sensitive entry step and Na(+)-dependent or ouabain-sensitive exit process which differs from Ca2+ extrusion mechanisms.

Mucosal distortion by compression elicits polarized reflexes and enhances responses of the circular muscle to distension in the small intestine

The possibility that distortion of the mucosa by compression might be a sufficient stimulus to evoke reflex responses in intestinal muscle, and that such reflexes might summate with distension-evoked (stretch) reflexes, was tested in isolated segments of guinea pig small intestine. Opened segments of intestine were pinned flat in an organ bath with, or without, distending balloons embedded in its base. Intracellular microelectrode recordings were taken from the circular muscle oral and anal to sites of application of sensory stimuli. Pressure against the mucosa, which distorts the villi without the wall being stretched, evoked polarized reflex responses in the circular muscle, consisting of excitatory junction potentials oral and inhibitory junction potentials anal to the stimulus. Distension stimuli applied by 6-mm diameter balloons that pushed against either the serosal or the mucosal surface also evoked excitatory junction potentials in the muscle oral to the stimulus and inhibitory junction potentials at anal sites. Response amplitudes were 20% greater when the distending balloon pushed against the mucosal surface. Responses to distension from the serosal side were of 20% greater amplitude when combined with mucosal distortion by compression than without such compression. It is concluded that peristaltic movements that are commonly studied in the small intestine can be consequences of reflexes elicited at the same time from mucosal distortion receptors and from stretch receptors.

Activation- and phorbol ester-stimulated phosphorylation of a plasma membrane glycoprotein antigen expressed on mouse IL-3-dependent mast cells and serosal mast cells

As assessed by immunoprecipitation analyses, expression of the epitope recognized by the rat mAb B23.1 is approximately sevenfold greater on the surface of mouse IL-3-dependent bone marrow culture-derived mast cells (BMMC) than on serosal mast cells (SMC) obtained directly from the peritoneal cavity. Immunoprecipitation of B23.1 antibody-binding molecules from Na[125I] surface-labeled BMMC and SMC followed by sizing on SDS-polyacrylamide gels under reducing conditions demonstrated that the epitope is located on molecules of 49,000 and 47,500 Mr, respectively. An additional immunoprecipitated molecule of 42,000 Mr was detected from BMMC intrinsically radiolabeled with [35S]methionine, and pulse-chase analyses revealed that this species was a biosynthetic precursor of the 49,000 Mr cell surface form of the Ag. Treatment of the immunoprecipitated 42,000 and 49,000 Mr forms with endoglycosidase F reduced the Mr of both to 37,000, as did intrinsic radiolabeling of BMMC in the presence of tunicamycin, indicating that both the 42,000 Mr precursor form and the 49,000 Mr cell surface molecule (gp49) contained N-linked carbohydrate. Activation of [32P]orthophosphate-labeled BMMC by sensitization with mouse monoclonal IgE anti-TNP and challenge with TNP-BSA or by exposure to the calcium ionophore A23187 elicited the rapid phosphorylation of gp49 but not of its precursor forms, as did treatment of the cells with PMA. Elution of phosphorylated and immunoprecipitated gp49 from SDS-polyacrylamide gels followed by partial acid hydrolysis of the protein and phosphoamino acid analysis by high voltage thin-layer electrophoresis on cellulose plates indicated that serine, but not threonine or tyrosine, was phosphorylated upon stimulation of BMMC with IgE/Ag, calcium ionophore, or PMA. Cholera toxin did not elicit phosphorylation of gp49. These data suggest that gp49, a plasma membrane glycoprotein preferentially expressed by mouse BMMC, may be either directly or indirectly phosphorylated via protein kinase C during mast cell activation-secretion.

Electrical transients produced by the toad urinary bladder in response to altered medium osmolality

1. The effects of changes in media osmolality on the transepithelial current through the toad urinary bladder under voltage-clamp conditions have been studied. Over the limited range (+/- 24 mosmol/kg H2O) used in these investigations, changes in the osmolality of the mucosal bathing fluid produced no changes in transepithelial current. 2. Changes in osmolality of the serosal fluid greatly affected the transepithelial current with a decrease (increase) in osmolality producing a sustained increase (decrease) in current. 3. The changes in steady-state current were approximately proportional to the magnitude of the osmotic steps and were reproducible and reversible if the osmolalities of the solutions were confined to a domain of 220-260 mosmol/kg H2O. 4. Amiloride, which was used to block all active current, also eliminated the electrical responses to an osmotic pulse, indicating that the responses were of cellular origin. 5. The effects of substituting gluconate for medium chloride were examined. Similar responses were observed, indicating that they were not due to changes in a plasma membrane chloride conductance. 6. The transient currents observed during the changes from one steady state to the other often contained an oscillatory component, the amplitude and the degree of damping of which varied between bladders. The amplitude of the oscillations, but not their frequency, could be varied by altering the magnitude of the osmotic pulse and by changing the imposed transepithelial voltage. Decreasing the electrical potential of the mucosal solution with respect to that of the serosal solution decreased the amplitude of the oscillations, as did increased serosal potassium or substitution of gluconate for serosal chloride. The period of the oscillations always remained within the range of 9-12 min. 7. The results suggest that two major processes are initiated by an osmotic step in the serosal bathing medium. The first involves the establishment of new ion gradients and the second, alterations in sodium pump activity. In addition, there is evidence for a voltage-dependent sodium conductance in the apical membrane.

Effects of cell volume changes on membrane ionic permeabilities and sodium transport in frog skin (Rana ridibunda)

1. Membrane potential and conductances and short-circuit current were continuously measured with microelectrodes and conventional electrophysiological techniques in a stripped preparation of frog skin epithelium. The effects of the removal of chloride or sodium ions and the concentration or dilution of the serosal (inner) bathing solution were studied. 2. Chloride- or sodium-free solutions produced a cell depolarization of about 30 mV in parallel with a fall in the short-circuit current. Mucosal and serosal membrane conductances both decreased and the sodium permeability of the mucosal barrier was calculated to fall to about one-half its value in standard Ringer solution. The observed decrease in the short-circuit current is probably related to the combined effect of the decrease in sodium permeability and the decrease in the driving force across the mucosal membrane. 3. The removal of chloride or sodium ions reduced the depolarization caused by serosal perfusion with high-potassium solutions (50 mM-KCl). The ratio of the change in cell membrane potential under short-circuit conditions to the change in the potassium equilibrium potential (delta Ec(s.c.)/delta EK), was 0.59 in standard Ringer solution and 0.26 and 0.24 after the removal of chloride or sodium respectively. The depolarizing effect of barium-containing solutions (2 mM-BaCl2) was also markedly reduced in chloride- or sodium-free solutions, suggesting a decrease of the potassium selectivity of the serosal membrane in these conditions. 4. Increasing the osmolality of the serosal bathing solution produced similar effects, i.e. cell depolarization, fall in the short-circuit current and membrane conductances and reduction of the depolarizing effect of high-potassium and barium solutions. On the contrary, dilution of the serosal bath produced the opposite effects, consistent with an increase in the serosal permeability to potassium. 5. The effects of chloride- or sodium-free solutions were reversed by the dilution of the serosal bath. Cells repolarized when exposed to low-osmolality solutions after being in the absence of serosal chloride or sodium. The repolarization ran in parallel with the restoration of the short-circuit current and the potassium selectivity of the serosal membrane. 6. The results show that the effects produced by the removal of sodium or chloride ions from the serosal bathing solution are most probably mediated by a reduction in cell volume. Cell volume changes would lead to changes in the serosal membrane selectivity to potassium and thus to changes in cell membrane potential and sodium transport.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Influence of pacing site on canine left ventricular contraction

We investigated the influence of pacing site on several aspects of left ventricular (LV) performance to test the hypothesis that "effective ventricular muscle mass" is reduced with direct ventricular pacing. All studies were performed on isolated supported canine hearts that were constrained to contract isovolumically. To determine the influence of pacing site on magnitude and time course of isovolumic LV pressure (P) generation, LVP waves were recorded in eight isolated hearts paced at 130 beats/min. Pacing was epicardially from atrium, LV apex, LV free wall, right ventricular free wall (RVF), and endocardially from right ventricular endocardium. In a given heart, peak LVP was greatest with atrial pacing and smallest with RVF pacing, the difference being on average 26 +/- 10% (mean +/- SD) of the former pressure. The other pacing sites produced intermediate peak LVPs. When instantaneous LVP waves, obtained while pacing from each of the five sites, were normalized by their respective amplitudes, they were virtually superimposable up to the time of peak pressure and only slightly different during the remainder of the cardiac cycle. With changes in pacing site there was a linear negative correlation (r = 0.971) between changes in peak pressure and changes in duration of the QRS complex of a bipolar epicardial electrogram with an average slope of -0.51 mmHg/ms. Compared with atrial pacing, the slope of the end-systolic pressure-volume relation, Ees, was decreased with ventricular pacing, but Vo, the volume axis intercept, was relatively constant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Structural and functional characteristics of the cellular reaction of the bladder epithelium in the frog to calcium extraction from the apical and basolateral membranes]

Extraction of Ca++ ions from cells of the frog urinary bladder serosa side is followed by an increase in the bladder wall permeability for water and inulin. Ultrastructural changes were observed, such as destruction of cell junctions, swelling of the cell and their organelles, reconstruction of the cytoskeleton elements. The free calcium Ringer solution injected in the bladder lumen does not change the permeability of the wall for water and sodium ions. In this case the cell response to the antidiuretic hormone decreases; the ultrastructure of cells and intercellular junctions is not disturbed; the distribution of intramembrane particles on the P- and E-faces of the apical membrane is normal. The above results indicate that there are qualitative differences in the cell response towards the extraction of Ca++-ions between the serosal and mucosal membranes. This also suggests that on the external surface of the apical membrane Ca++ ions may play a very important role in redistribution of intramembrane particles under the action of the antidiuretic hormone.

Passive water flows driven across the isolated rabbit ileum by osmotic, hydrostatic and electrical gradients

Water flows generated by osmotic and hydrostatic pressure and electrical currents were measured in sheets of isolated rabbit ileum at 20 degrees C. Flows across the mucosal and serosal surfaces were monitored continuously by simultaneous measurement of tissue volume change (with an optical lever) and net water flows across one surface of the tissue (with a capacitance transducer). Osmotic gradients were imposed across the mucosal and serosal surfaces of the tissue separately, using probe molecules of various sizes from ethanediol (68 Da) to dextrans (161 000 Da). Flows across each surface were elicited with very short delay. The magnitudes of the flows were proportional to the osmotic gradient and related to the size of the probe molecule. Osmotic flow across the mucosal surface was associated with streaming potentials which were due to electro-osmotic water flow. The mucosal surface is a heteroporous barrier with narrow (0.7 nm radius, Lp (hydraulic conductivity) = (7.6 +/- 1.6) X 10(-9) cm s-1 cmH2O-1) cation-selective channels in parallel with wide neutral pores (ca. 6.5 nm radius, Lp = (2.3 +/- 0.2) X 10(-7) cm s-1 cmH2O-1) which admit large pressure-driven backflows from the submucosa to the lumen. There is additional evidence for a further set of narrow electroneutral pores less than 0.4 nm radius with Lp less than 7 X 10(-9) cm s-1 cmH2O-1. The serosal surface has neutral pores of uniform radius (ca. 6.5 nm), Lp = (7.6 +/- 1.6) X 10(-8) cm s-1 cmH2O-1. Hypertonic serosal solutions (100 mM-sucrose) cause osmotic transfer of fluid from isotonic mucosal solutions into the submucosa, expand it, and elevate the tissue pressure to 19.6 +/- 3.2 cmH2O (n = 4). Conversely, hypertonic mucosal solutions (100 mM-sucrose) draw fluid out of the submucosa in the presence of isotonic serosal solutions, collapse the submucosa, and lower the tissue pressure to -87.7 +/- 4.6 cmH2O (n = 5). Water flows coupled to cation movement could be generated across the mucosal surface in both directions by brief direct current pulses. The short latency of onset and cessation of flow (less than 2 s), absence of polarization potentials, and high electro-osmotic coefficients (range 50-520 mol water F-1), together with the presence of streaming potentials during osmotically generated water flows indicate electro-osmotic water flow through hydrated channels in the tight junctions and/or lateral intercellular spaces.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Passive and active ion transport by the urinary bladder of a euryhaline flounder

The effects of voltage clamping on the flux ratios and unidirectional and net fluxes of Na and Cl were used to gain insight into the mechanisms of active and passive ion transport across urinary bladders isolated from seawater-(SW) and freshwater-acclimated (FW) flounder, Platichthys stellatus. Although the transepithelial conductance (Gt = 2.77 mS X cm-2) of FW bladders was much greater than that of SW bladders (Gt = 0.40 mS X cm-2), the current-voltage relationships of both SW and FW bladders were markedly nonlinear. Under short-circuit conditions there was a large difference in the serosal-to-mucosal Na flux (JNasm) between SW (0.10 mueq X cm-2 X h-1) and FW (1.71 mueq X cm-2 X h-1) bladders, but their mannitol permeabilities were identical. The results indicate that 1) the paracellular pathway of both SW and FW bladders is Cl selective and Cl movements through the shunt account for a maximum of 90% of Gt in SW bladders and 19% in FW bladders; 2) the larger Gt of FW bladders is due to greater conductance of the apical cell membrane; 3) the majority of the passive ion movement across these epithelia proceeds through nonconductive, presumably transcellular, pathways; and 4) active transport of Na and Cl occurs by neutral coupling to each other and to other unidentified ions.

Regeneration-induced lengthening of the cut ends of the rat colon

The transected colon was studied in rats in an attempt to determine whether the regenerating cut ends could be induced to lengthen by delaying or preventing their spontaneous reattachment. When the two cut ends of the defunctionalized colon were separated by a 2-3-cm length of silastic tubing mucosal, luminal and serosal continuity across the gap was restored in 8-10 weeks. Cannulation of one cut end with silastic tubing so placed as to extend 2-3 cm beyond the cut end led to lengthening of the intestine over the exposed end of the tubing by 20 weeks. The area subadjacent to regenerated mucosa filled initially with granulation tissue which was gradually replaced by loose connective tissue containing at times a thin layer of smooth muscle.

Effect of glutaraldehyde on hydrosmotic response of toad bladder to vasopressin

The present study investigates the time-, dose-, and temperature-dependence of glutaraldehyde action on the permeability to water of the toad bladder. Bladders preincubated with increasing concentrations of glutaraldehyde become progressively desensitized to the hydrosmotic action of vasopressin (ADH), theophylline, and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (dibutyryl cAMP). The ADH response was reduced by 50% with 0.03% glutaraldehyde applied to the serosal side for 10 min at 4 degrees C. Sixfold higher doses of glutaraldehyde were required with mucosal application. Bladders partially fixed with low-dose glutaraldehyde exhibit a markedly prolonged duration of action of ADH. Bladders fixed with higher doses of glutaraldehyde in the presence of ADH retain a high permeability to water for prolonged periods even in the absence of ADH. This action of glutaraldehyde to stabilize the hormone-induced water channels is also considerably more effective with serosal than with mucosal application. As the rate-limiting permeability barrier for water affected by ADH is known to be located in the apical membrane, these findings suggest that glutaraldehyde exerts its action from an intracellular position. It is postulated that glutaraldehyde stabilizes the ADH-induced channels by cross-linkage of amino groups and other reactive sites at the cytoplasmic surface of the apical membrane and/or by inactivating the intracellular machinery responsible for the dispersal or removal of water channels in the hormone target cell.

Role of the diaphragm in setting liquid pressure in serous cavities

Supraphrenic and subphrenic liquid pressures in supine dogs and rabbits were found to be about 2 cm H2O more negative than costal and mediastinal liquid pressures at the same lung height. Peritoneal liquid pressure was negative at all lung heights in dogs and slightly positive below 25% of lung height in rabbits. The vertical gradients of liquid pressure did not differ significantly in either species between the pleural and peritoneal cavities and were lower than 1 cm H2O/cm. From the peritoneal protein concentration (2.3 and 3.5 g/100 ml in dogs and rabbits, respectively) we calculated a filtration pressure for the peritoneal mesothelium and a lymphatic role was hypothesized to explain negative liquid pressures in the peritoneal cavity. The greater negativity of the subphrenic as compared with the peritoneal data could be related to a strong respiratory-dependent lymphatic action. A similar mechanism and/or a low filtration conductance of the diaphragmatic pleura may explain the costo-supraphrenic liquid pressure difference. The present results, extending previously published data on the mediastinal side of the lung, further support the existence of local differences in fluid dynamics in the pleural cavity.

Effects of a small serosal hydrostatic pressure on sodium and water transport and morphology in rabbit gall-bladder

1. In order to investigate the mechanism of serosal pressure-induced inhibition of isosmotic fluid transport, the effect of 4.5 cm water serosal pressure on spontaneous water transfer (J(v)) in rabbit gall-bladders was measured (in the presence of a supporting soft nylon net on the mucosal side) in a modified Ussing chamber. This allowed unidirectional Na(+) fluxes ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]), transepithelial potential difference and resistance (R(t)) to be measured simultaneously. The effects of the serosal pressure were also investigated by light and electron microscopy.2. During pressure application, R(t) increased due to a covering effect of the mucosal support. The serosal pressure caused a parallel decrease in J(v) and net Na(+) transport ([Formula: see text]) across the free epithelial surface of 80-85%. About 85% of the decrease in [Formula: see text] was due to a decrease in [Formula: see text].3. After inhibition of 93% of fluid absorption by serosal 10(-3)M-ouabain, pressure-induced change in J(v) was only 8% of the spontaneous fluid transport rate.4. Control Na(+) flux ratio ([Formula: see text]) was 3.5. The pressure-induced increase in steady-state [Formula: see text] of 30-35% therefore contributed little to the decrease in [Formula: see text]. Further, this increase in [Formula: see text] was completely prevented by mucosal 10(-3) M-amiloride.5. All pressure-induced effects on transport and electrical parameters were reversible.6. The light microscopical and scanning electron microscopical results showed that half of the epithelial surface was covered by the nylon net following serosal pressure application. Ruptures in the epithelium were not seen. Thin section and freeze fracture electron microscopy demonstrated continuous, well developed tight junctions both in control and experimental condition.7. It is concluded that a serosal pressure of only 4.5 cm water causes inhibition of a cellular active Na(+) and water transport with only minimal, if any, contribution from paracellular filtration. This would seem incompatible with the concept that an active ion transport mechanism localized in the basolateral cell membrane is responsible for transepithelial fluid transport. The possibility of a mechanical fluid transport mechanism via elements of a tubulo-cisternal endoplasmic reticulum is raised.

Localization of tissue fibrinolysis in the gastrointestinal tract

Tissue fibrinolysis in the stomach and intestine of the rat was studied with a histochemical technique. After perfusion of blood vessels to reduce the influence of circulating plasminogen activator and inhibitor fibrinlysis was localized mainly to submucosal arteries and to the serosa of the gastrointestinal tract. This is opposite to previous observations, in which tissue fibrinolysis in the gastrointestinal tract was suggested to be mainly localized to veins. A method for semiquantitative analysis of tissue fibrolysis in the rat stomach is described.

Current-voltage relationship of the basolateral membrane of a tight epithelium

The polyene antibiotic nystatin is used to reduce selectively to zero the apical membrane resistance of the rabbit descending colon, allowing the measurement of the current-voltage curve of the basolateral membrane. The I--V relationship is described by the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equations allowing calculation of PNa/PK, PCl/PK and PK for the basolateral membrane. Cs+ is found to block inward current (serosa to mucosa) in a manner similar to that found in excitable membranes.

Effects of luminal hyperosmolality on electrical pathways of Necturas gallbladder

The electrical properties of the transepithelial pathways of Necturaus gallbladder were studied with intracellular microelectrode techniques under control conditions and after exposure to hyperosmotic mucosal bathing media (addition of sucrose or other solutes). Doubling mucosal osmolality produces a large increase in the resistance of the intercellular shunt pathway (from 420 +/- 50 to 700 +/- 70 omega - cm2, P is less than 0.001) and a significant decrease in the resistance of the apical membrane of the cells (from 3,510 +/- 420 to 1,540 +/- 380 omega p cm2, P is less than 0.001). The basolateral membrane resistance remains unchanged. Both the apical and basolateral membranes depolarize (from 59.5 +/- 1.8 to 36.6 +/- 2.8 mV, P less than 0.0001, and from 61.8 +/- 1.7 to 32.2 +/- 3.0 mV,P is less than 0.001, respectively). The transepithelial diffusion potential resulting from NaCl concentration gradients due to the osmotic water flow does not explain the cell potential changes. Mucosal solution ion substitution experiments demonstrate increases of gk, gcl, and gna (ca. 2.5-fold, 4-fold, and 7-fold, respectively). Therefore, cell depolarization appears to be produced mainly by a reduction of apical membrane K permselectivity. The increase in the resistance of the shunt is attributable to reduction of the width of the lateral intercellular spaces, because of the osmotic serosa-to-mucosa water flow.

Transducer for recording electrical and mechanical chronic intestinal activity

An extraluminal displacement transducer has been developed for simultaneously recording the mechanical activity in two perpendicular directions and the electrical activity of the intestinal serosa. The length variations in two perpendicular directions were measured by means of strain gauges bounded on two pairs of lamellae embedded in a rigid stand. The electrical activity was recorded by means of four electrodes situated at the extremity of these lamellae. The electrical gauges of each pair of lamellae are connected to form a Wheatstone bridge. This device allows establishment of a correlation between the mechanical displacement of the intestinal wall serosa and electrical potentials by means of studies of long duration.

Effects of high carbohydrate, high fat, or high protein diets on glucose oxidation by isolated intestinal epithelial cells of the chick

A parallel study of 3-O-methyl glucose transport by everted intestinal sacs and [U-14C]glucose oxidation by isolated, dispersed intestinal cells was done in chicks (1) adapted to a high carbohydrate (HC), high fat (HF), or high protein (HP) diet for 2 weeks or (2) fasted up to 5 days. HF and HP diets significantly decreased both serosal : mucosal (S : M) distribution ratios of 3-O-methyl glucose by everted sacs and glucose oxidation by dispersed cells. The effects were more pronounced in HF diet-fed chicks. Fasting signficiantly increased the S : M ratio throughout a 5-day fasting period, whereas glucose oxidation was increased after a 1-day fast and was decreased after a 5-day fast. Feeding HC diet for 1 week to chicks adapted to HF diet restored both functions to control levels. Refeeding fasted chicks for 3 days also restored S : M ratio to control levels. Histological examination of tissues from various treatment groups revealed no obvious morphological differences. The results suggest that the functional changes described represent adaptive changes at the cellular level and that these changes are readily reversible.