A6 Monolayers Research Articles

NHE3 inhibits PKA-dependent functional expression of CFTR by NHERF2 PDZ interactions

It has been shown that when CFTR and NHE3 are co-expressed on the apical membrane of the A6-NHE3 cell monolayers, the two transporters interact via a shared regulatory complex composed of NHERF2, ezrin, and PKA. We observe here that co-expression of NHE3 reduced both PKA-dependent apical CFTR expression and its activation once in place by approximately 50%. To analyze the role of NHERF2 in this process, we transfected NHE3 expressing and non-expressing A6 monolayers with NHERF2 cDNA in which its binding domains had been deleted. When only CFTR is expressed on the apical membrane, deletion of any of the NHERF2 binding domains inhibited both PKA-dependent apical CFTR expression and its activation, while when NHE3 was co-expressed with CFTR PDZ2 deletion was without effect on CFTR sorting and activity. This suggests that when the PDZ2 domain is “sequestered” by interacting with NHE3 it can no longer participate in CFTR functional expression.

External Ni2 + and ENaC in A6 cells: Na+ current stimulation by competition at a binding site for amiloride and Na+.

In cultured A6 monolayers from distal Xenopus kidney, external Ni2+ stimulated active Na+ uptake via the epithelial Na+ channel, ENaC. Transepithelial capacitance measurements ruled out exocytosis of ENaC-containing vesicles underlying the Ni2+ effect. Na+ current noise analysis was performed using the neutral Na(+) -channel blocker 6-chloro-3,5-diamino-pyrazine-2-carboxamide (CDPC) and amiloride. The analysis of CDPC-induced noise in terms of a three-state channel model revealed that Ni2+ elicits an increase in the number of open channels as well as in the spontaneous open probability. While Ni2+ had no influence on CDPC-blocker kinetics, the macroscopic and microscopic blocking kinetics of amiloride were affected. Ni2+ turned out to compete with amiloride for a putative binding site but not with CDPC. Moreover, external Na(+)--known to compete with amiloride and so producing the "self-inhibition" phenomenon--and Ni2+ exerted mutually exclusive analogous effects on amiloride kinetics. Na+ current kinetics revealed that Ni2+ prevents ENaC to be downregulated by self-inhibition. Co2+ behaved similarly to Ni2+, whereas Zn2+ did not. Attempts to disclose the chemical nature of the site reacting with Ni2+ suggested cysteine but not histidine as reaction partner.

Mg(2+)-sensitive non-capacitative basolateral Ca(2+) entry secondary to cell swelling in the polarized renal A6 epithelium.

Polarized renal A6 epithelia respond to hyposmotic shock with an increase in transepithelial capacitance (C(T)) that is inhibited by extracellular Mg(2+). Elevation of free cytosolic [Ca(2+)] ([Ca(2+)](i)) is known to increase C(T). Therefore, we examined [Ca(2+)](i) dynamics and their sensitivity to extracellular Mg(2+) during hyposmotic conditions. Fura-2-loaded A6 monolayers, cultured on permeable supports were subjected to a sudden reduction in osmolality at both the basolateral and apical membranes from 260 to 140 mosmol (kg H(2)O)(-1). Reduction of apical osmolality alone did not affect [Ca(2+)](i). In the absence of extracellular Mg(2+), the hyposmotic shock induced a biphasic rise in [Ca(2+)](i). The first phase peaked within 40 s and [Ca(2+)](i) increased from 245 +/- 12 to 606 +/- 24 nM. This phase was unaffected by removal of extracellular Ca(2+), but was abolished by activating P2Y receptors with basolateral ATP or by exposing the cells to the phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U73122 prior to the osmotic shock. Suramin also severely attenuated this first phase, suggesting that the first phase of the [Ca(2+)](i) rise followed swelling-induced ATP release. The PLC inhibitor, the ATP treatment or suramin did not affect a second rise of [Ca(2+)](i) to a maximum of 628 +/- 31 nM. The second phase depended on Ca(2+) in the basolateral perfusate and was largely suppressed by 2 mM basolateral Mg(2+). Acute exposure of the basolateral membrane to Mg(2+) during the upstroke of the second phase caused a rapid decline in [Ca(2+)](i). Basolateral Mg(2+) inhibited Ca(2+) entry in a dose-dependent manner with an inhibition constant (K(i)) of 0.60 mM. These results show that polarized A6 epithelia respond to hyposmotic shock by Ca(2+) release from inositol trisphosphate-sensitive stores, followed by basolateral Ca(2+) influx through a Mg(2+)-sensitive pathway. The second phase of the [Ca(2+)](i) response is independent of the initial intracellular Ca(2+) release and therefore constitutes non-capacitative Ca(2+) entry.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase is required for aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption.

Aldosterone, a steroid hormone, regulates renal Na+ reabsorption and, therefore, plays an important role in the maintenance of salt and water balance. In a model renal epithelial cell line (A6) we have found that phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activity is required for aldosterone-stimulated Na+ reabsorption. Inhibition of PI 3-kinase by the specific inhibitor LY-294002 markedly reduces both basal and aldosterone-stimulated Na+ transport. Further, one of the products of PI 3-kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate, is increased in response to aldosterone in intact A6 monolayers. This increase occurs just before the manifestation of the functional effect of the hormone and is also inhibited by LY-294002. With the use of blocker-induced noise analysis, it has been demonstrated that inhibition of phosphoinositide formation causes an inhibition of Na+ entry in both control and aldosterone-pretreated cultures by reducing the number of open functional epithelial Na+ channels (ENaCs) in the apical membrane of the A6 cells. These novel observations indicate that phosphoinositides are required for ENaC expression and suggest a mechanism for aldosterone regulation of channel function.

Effect of adenosine on Na+ and Cl- currents in A6 monolayers. Receptor localization and messenger involvement.

The effect of adenosine regulation on sodium and chloride transport was examined in cultured A6 renal epithelial cells. Adenosine and its analogue N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) had different effects on short-circuit current (Isc) depending on the side of addition. Basolateral CPA addition induced an approximately threefold increase of the Isc that reached a maximum effect 20 min after addition and was completely inhibited by preincubation with either an A2 selective antagonist, CSC, or the sodium channel blocker, amiloride. Apical CPA addition induced a biphasic Isc response characterized by a rapid fourfold transient increase over its baseline followed by a decline and a plateau phase that were amiloride insensitive. The A1 adenosine antagonist, CPX, completely prevented this response. This Isc response to apical CPA was also strongly reduced in Cl--free media and was significantly inhibited either by basolateral bumetanide or apical DPC preincubation. Only basolateral CPA addition was able to induce an increase in cAMP level. CPA, added to cells in suspension, caused a rapid rise in [Ca2+]i that was antagonized by CPX, not affected by CSC and prevented by thapsigargin preincubation. These data suggest that basolateral CPA regulates active sodium transport via A2 adenosine receptors stimulating adenylate cyclase while apical CPA regulates Cl- secretion via A1 receptor-mediated changes in [Ca2+]i.

Aldosterone interaction on sodium transport and chloride permeability: influence of epithelial structure

The effects of aldosterone on sodium transport and chloride permeability were investigated by electrophysiology in two structurally distinct epithelia used as models for the distal renal tubule: the A6 cell monolayer as compared with the amphibian skin epithelium (ASE). Short-circuit current ( I sc) and transepithelial conductance ( G t) were measured in A6 monolayers incubated overnight with(out) aldosterone. Cell and shunt conductances ( G cell and G sh) were also determined, as well as the conductive nature of the chloride pathway. These parameters were correlated with sodium and chloride fluxes in A6 cells ( J Na and J Cl) and compared with the data recorded across ASE ( Bufo marinus). The existence of a cAMP-dependent chloride secretory pathway in A6 cells was also investigated upon exposition to arginine vasopressin (AVP) or oxytocin. When A6 monolayers were incubated with aldosterone, G t significantly increased with respect to control preparations; this increase resulted solely from an increase in G cell, and was reflected by a 3-fold increase in I sc. There was a significant relationship between I sc and G cell, as well as between I sc and J Na in both control and aldosterone-stimulated preparations. The A6 clone used was devoid of cAMP-dependent chloride secretory activity and was unresponsive to AVP or oxytocin. Thus, comparison between ASE and A6 preparations revealed two major differences: unlike ASE, (i) aldosterone has no effect on G sh and (ii) no conductive reabsorptive chloride pathway is operative in A6 monolayers tested. In addition, cobalt had no effect on electrical parameters of A6 monolayers. These observations show that difference in epithelial structure is reflected in terms of electrophysiological response to aldosterone, which suggests that cell heterogeneity could be a prerequisite for observing a conductive reabsorptive chloride pathway in aldosterone-responsive, sodium-transporting epithelia.

A mechanism for pentamidine-induced hyperkalemia: inhibition of distal nephron sodium transport.

To determine whether pentamidine directly affects the transport of renal ions and thus provides a mechanism for hyperkalemia, which develops in as many as 100% of patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who receive pentamidine for more than 6 days. Transepithelial and single-channel electrical measurements were made on two models of distal-nephron ion transport: an amphibian distal-nephron cell line (A6) and primary cultures of rabbit cortical collecting tubules. Luminal bath application of pentamidine to A6 monolayers inhibited the amiloride-sensitive, short-circuit current with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 700 microM (five experiments). In the principal cell apical membranes of cortical collecting tubule primary cultures, amiloride-sensitive, 4-picosiemen Na+ channels in cell-attached patches were also identified. When the luminal membrane was directly exposed to 1.0 microM of pentamidine in the patch pipette solution, channel activity decreased by 40% (11 experiments). Channel inhibition rapidly reversed with washout of intrapipette pentamidine (four experiments). In contrast, replacement of either the luminal bath outside the patch pipette (four experiments) or the serosal bath (five experiments) with pentamidine did not significantly affect Na+ channel activity in the patches. Luminal or "urinary" pentamidine inhibits distal nephron reabsorption of Na+ by blocking apical Na+ channels in a manner similar to "potassium-sparing" diuretics (for example, amiloride and triamterene). This results in a decrease in the electrochemical gradients that drive secretion of distal nephron K+. Because pentamidine is eliminated through urinary excretion, this renal tubular effect provides a mechanism for pentamidine-induced hyperkalemia.

K+ recirculation in A6 cells at increased Na+ transport rates

Homocellular regulation of K+ at increased transcellular Na+ transport implies an increase in K+ exit to match the intracellular K+ load. Increased K+ conductance, gK, was suggested to account for this gain. We tested whether such a mechanism is operational in A6 monolayers. Na+ transport was increased from 5.1 +/- 1.0 microA/cm2 to 20.7 +/- 1.3 microA/cm2 by preincubation with 0.1 mumol/l dexamethasone for 24 h. Basolateral K+ conductances were derived from transference numbers of K+, tK, and basolateral membrane conductances, gb, using conventional microelectrodes and circuit analysis with application of amiloride. Activation of Na+ transport induced an increase in gb from 0.333 +/- 0.067 mS/cm2 to 1.160 +/- 0.196 mS/cm2 and tK was reduced to 0.22 +/- 0.01 from a value of 0.70 +/- 0.05 in untreated control tissues. As a result, gK remained virtually unchanged at increased Na+ transport rates. The increase in gb after dexamethasone was due to activation of a conductive leak pathway presumably for Cl-. Increased K+ efflux, IK, was a consequence of the larger driving force for K+ exit due to depolarization at an elevated Na+ transport rate. The relationship between calculated K+ fluxes and Na+ transport rate, measured as the Isc, is described by the linear function IK = 0.624 x INa -0.079, which conforms with a stoichiometry 2:3 for the fluxes of K+ and Na+ in the Na+/K(+)-ATPase pathway. Our data show that homocellular regulation of K+ in A6 cells is not due to up-regulation of gK.

Identification of a regulated Na/K/Cl cotransport system in a distal nephron cell line

Lack of an adequate cell model has limited investigation of Na/K/Cl cotransporter regulation in the kidney. Using A6 cells, an amphibian distal renal cell line, we observed that 63% of rubidium uptake in confluent A6 monolayers was ouabain-insensitive. Ouabain-insensitive rubidium uptake was inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by furosemide (IC 50 6.6 μM) or bumetanide (IC 50 1.7 μM). Kinetic studies confirmed that furosemide-sensitive rubidium uptake had features consistent with cotransporter activity in other cell lines. Furthermore, specific binding of [ 3H]bumetanide occurred with a capacity of 8.6 pmol/mg protein and a K d of 1.6 μM bumetanide. Finally, furosemide-sensitive rubidium uptake was rapidly regulated by a calcium inophore, the phorbol ester PDBu, forskolin, and adenosine. These data demonstrate an Na/K/Cl cotransport system in the A6 cell which will serve as a useful model for studying cotransporter regulation by endogenous signaling pathways.

Coupling between the intracellular pH and the active transport of sodium in an epithelial cell line from Xenopus laevis

1. 1. The relationship between the rate of active Na + transport and intracellular pH (pH i, measured as the BCECF fluorescence) was studied in A6 monolayers in the presence of CO 2. The total buffering power (β total) and its components (β and β CO 2 ) were assessed at various pH i. 2. 2. The activity of Na + /H + and Cl − /HCO 3 − exchangers were expressed in A6 cells; both antiports were found to participate in pH i homeostasis under standard conditions. 3. 3. Alterations in the rate of Na + transport induced variations in pH i 4. 4. Na + transport rate was a hyperbolic function of external Na + concentration. The curve was shifted by changing pH i: a mixed inhibition of Na + transport by pH i was found. 5. 5. The pH i appears as a possible mediator coupling the rate of Na + transport across the aplcal and the basolateral membrane in tight epithelia.

Immunochemical localization of amiloride-sensitive sodium channels in sodium-transporting epithelia

The localization of amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels in Na+-transporting epithelia was examined using antibodies made against amiloride-binding Na+ channel protein purified from bovine kidney. The distribution of the channel protein was determined in thick frozen sections at the light-microscopic level using indirect immunofluorescence, and at the electron-microscopic level using immunogold labelling. In the cells of both the intact bovine collecting tubule and A6 confluent monolayers, only the luminal or apical-facing surface membranes showed staining. Sodium channel protein was characteristically localized on microvillar domains of the apical plasma membrane. Little or no basolateral membrane staining was evident. Channel protein was also absent from subapical vesicles and tight junctions, and was not found in bovine renal proximal tubules, cultured human secretory sweat coils, non-epithelial Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells or human skin fibroblasts. Trypsinization of intact A6 monolayers prior to cell fixation abolished specific staining with antibody. Pretreatment with amiloride protected against this loss of staining. Thus, our probes are specific for amiloride-binding Na+ channel protein, and this channel protein is largely or completely confined to the apical membrane of Na+-transporting epithelia. The level and distribution of specific immunostaining in A6 cells was unchanged by aldosterone treatment, although channel activity, as measured by short-circuit current, increased threefold. This result demonstrates that Na+ channel protein is ever present at the cell surface and exists in both an active and an inactive form. We find no evidence that stimulation of Na+ uptake by aldosterone involves recruitment of new channels from a cytoplasmic pool.

A monoclonal antibody that recognizes a basolateral membrane protein in A6 epithelial cells.

The A6 cell line is a model for tight epithelia and studies of epithelial polarity. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced by immunization of mice with intact A6 cells and fusion of spleen cells to generate hybridomas. Hybridoma supernatants were screened by ELISA to select MAbs binding to the apical membrane of confluent A6 cells. Localization of MAb binding was examined by indirect immunofluorescence using cross sections of A6 monolayers grown on collagen coated filters. One MAb, designated 13F12, was positive by apical surface ELISA but localized specifically to the basolateral membrane of cross sections of A6 monolayers on filters. Immunofluorescence labeling of confluent A6 cells grown on glass cover slips revealed that MAb 13F12 does not bind to the apical membrane, but binds to basolateral determinants in the regions of domes, where it appears able to penetrate cellular junctions. Subconfluent A6 cells express the antigen all over the cell surface. Cells approaching confluency express the antigen on the apical membrane of some cells but not others, and as the cells reach confluency, the antigen disappears from the apical surface, and the cells become fully polarized. A6 cells at confluency on glass cover slips are equally polarized as cells grown on filters with respect to this antigen. The antigen has been identified by immunoprecipitation as a 22 kDa protein. High concentrations of MAb 13F12 did not inhibit cell plating, indicating that the antigenic site is not directly involved in cell adhesion to the substrate. MAb 13F12 should prove to be a useful tool to study many aspects of epithelial polarity, including the signals involved in sorting of proteins to specific membrane domains.

Heterogeneity of expression of apical membrane determinants in A6 epithelial cells.

Expression of apical membrane antigens by A6 cells is heterogeneous. The A6 cell line is a model system for sodium transport and hormone action in "tight" epithelia. To create probes for the study of sodium transport and aldosterone action, we generated monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) by immunization of BALB/c mice with intact A6 cells. MoAbs binding to apical membrane determinants were selected by an enzyme-linked immunoadsorbance assay (ELISA) against the apical surface of confluent A6 monolayers. Examination of ELISA-positive MoAbs by indirect immunofluorescence on confluent cells grown on glass cover slips revealed heterogeneity of apical expression: individual cells comprising the monolayer were fluorescently labeled to variable degrees and some cells were unlabeled. Expression of one antigen, recognized by MoAb I4C1, was heterogeneous in cells at low density as well as for confluent cells. Another antibody, 2B8, exhibited heterogeneity of labeling in confluent A6 monolayers, but no labeling of any cells at low density. This heterogeneity of antigen expression suggested that A6 cells are not a single cell type. However, cloned A6 cells established by limiting dilution were also labeled heterogeneously by both antibodies. Thus the heterogeneity observed is not due to genetic inhomogeneity between cells. Expression of the antigens on apical membranes of cells grown on Millipore filters was heterogeneous for the antigen recognized by 2B8, but essentially homogeneous for that recognized by I4C1, suggesting that the degree of differentiation of the cells plays a role in the heterogeneous expression of apical antigens. This heterogeneity of expression of apical antigens adds new complexity to the study of A6 cells and the differentiation of epithelial cells in culture.