F-Actin Differentially Alters Epithelial Transport and Barrier Function

Abstract

Vectorial ion transport and barrier function are two fundamental and defining properties of all epithelial cells. To define the role of F-actin in these dual properties, we studied the effects of two probes of cytoskeletal function on the well-differentiated human intestinal epithelial cell line T84: cytochalasin D, a fungal metabolite widely used to disrupt microfilament function by an uncertain mechanism, and phalloidin, a more specific agent which binds and stabilizes F-actin with high affinity, thus preventing actin depolymerization. T84 cells grown on collagen-coated permeable supports were studied by dual voltage-current clamping; transepithelial resistance to passive ion flow (R, an indirect measure of junctional integrity) and short-circuit current (a measure of net electrogenic ion transport response to the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin was preserved. In contrast, stabilization of F-actin by incubation with phalloidin for up to 24 hr produced no change in R but caused a profound inhibition of cAMP-stimulated short-circuit current. Thus, cytochalasin D was found to perturb barrier but not transport function of T84 monolayers; conversely, stabilization of F-actin by phalloidin was found not to affect barrier function but markedly attenuated electrogenic ion transport. The results suggest that the dual properties of barrier function and ion transport in intestinal epithelia may be differentially influenced by dynamic alterations in F-actin.