Stimulation Of Electrolyte Secretion Research Articles

Uroguanylin Regulates Net Fluid Secretion via the NHE2 Isoform of the Na+/H+ Exchanger in an Intestinal Cellular Model

Uroguanylin (UGN) has been proposed as a key regulator of salt and water intestinal transport. Uroguanylin activates cell-surface guanylate cyclase C receptor (GC-C) and modulates cellular function via cyclic GMP (cGMP), thus increasing electrolyte and net water secretion. It has been suggested that the action of UGN could involve the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger, but the actual contribution of this transporter still remains unclear. The objective of our study was to investigate the putative effects of UGN on some members of the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger family (NHEs), as well as to clarify its consequences on transepithelial fluid flow in T84 cells. In order to do so, transepithelial fluid flow (J_v) was studied by optic techniques and intracellular pH (pH_i) was measured with a fluorescence method. Results showed that NHE2 is found at the apical membrane and has a major role in Na⁺ absorption; NHE1 and NHE4 are localized at the basolateral membrane with a house-keeping role in steady state pH_i. In the assayed conditions, cell exposure to apical UGN increases net secretory J_v, without changing short-circuit currents nor transepithelial resistance, and reduces NHE2 activity. Therefore, at physiological pH, the effect on net J_v was produced mainly by a reduction in normal Na⁺ absorption through NHE2, rather than by the stimulation of electrolyte secretion. Our study shows that the effect of UGN on pH_i is GC-C/cGMP-mediated and enhanced by sildenafil, thus involving PDE5 enzyme. Additionally, cell exposure to apical UGN results in intracellular alkalinization, probably due to indirect effects on basolateral NHE1 and NHE4, which have a major role in pH_i regulation.

Altered Regulation of Airway Epithelial Cell Chloride Channels in Cystic Fibrosis

In many epithelial cells the chloride conductance of the apical membrane increases during the stimulation of electrolyte secretion. Single-channel recordings from human airway epithelial cells showed that beta-adrenergic stimulation evoked apical membrane chloride channel activity, but this response was absent in cells from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). However, when membrane patches were excised from CF cells into media containing sufficient free calcium (approximately 180 nanomolar), chloride channels were activated. The chloride channels of CF cells were similar to those of normal cells as judged by their current-voltage relations, ion selectivity, and kinetic behavior. These findings demonstrate the presence of chloride channels in the apical membranes of CF airway cells. Their regulation by calcium appears to be intact, but cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent control of their activity is defective.

Stimulation of electrolyte secretion in rabbit colon by adenosine.

Serosal addition of adenosine after inhibition of adenosine deaminase with deoxycoformycin increases short-circuit current (Isc) and tissue conductance of isolated epithelia of rabbit descending colon. In the presence of Cl this increase in Isc results from a reversal of electrically neutral Cl absorption to rheogenic Cl secretion. When Cl is absent the stimulating effect of adenosine on Isc is reduced to one-third and appears to be brought about by HCO3 secretion. Under all conditions active Na transport remains unaltered. Adenosine-induced electrolyte secretion is markedly decreased by serosal addition of furosemide and depends on the presence of Na on the serosal side of the tissue. The stoichiometry of the interaction of Na and Cl with the basolateral Cl entry mechanism appears to be 1:1. Under Na-free conditions adenosine elicits a current transient which is carried by Cl ions and which is not inhibited by furosemide. Hence this current transient seems to be brought about by rheogenic apical Cl efflux. All these findings suggest that the conductive step in transepithelial Cl secretion resides in the apical membrane. Hyperpolarization of the Na-transporting cells by luminal addition of amiloride does not enhance electrolyte secretion. The site of action of adenosine is the extracellular surface of the basolateral membrane, because (a) luminal addition of adenosine is ineffective, (b) nitrobenzylmercaptopurineriboside, a blocker of cellular nucleoside uptake, augments the effect of serosal adenosine, and (c) the intracellular metabolites of adenosine do not mediate the effect. From the rank-order of potency of adenosine and its analogues 5'-N-ethylcarboxamide adenosine and N6-cyclohexyladenosine it is concluded that the adenosine receptors involved in electrolyte secretion are of the Ra subtype. Theophylline partially inhibits the secretory effect. The intracellular mediator of adenosine appears to be cyclic AMP and/or cyclic GMP, since the tissue levels of both compounds are rapidly elevated after addition of adenosine and both cyclic AMP and cyclic 8-bromo-GMP are able to mimic the adenosine action.