Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M M Civan

Publications and source records attributed to M M Civan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Electron probe X-ray microanalysis of rabbit ciliary epithelium.

Rabbit iris-ciliary bodies were preincubated in control and experimental Ringer's solutions before quick freezing, cryosectioning, dehydration and electron probe X-ray microanalysis. After preincubation in a baseline bicarbonate-free Cl- Ringer's solution, the ciliary epithelial intracellular Na+, K+ and Cl- concentrations were estimated to be 15 +/- 3, 162 +/- 14 and 46 +/- 5 mmol kg-1 intracellular water, respectively. The water and elemental Na, K, Cl and P contents were similar in the non-pigmented (NPE) and pigmented (PE) ciliary epithelial cells. As expected, inhibition of the Na,K-exchange pump by preincubation with ouabain markedly increased the intracellular Na content, and markedly reduced the intracellular K content, verifying the validity of the experimental analysis. The Cl- channels of the NPE cells likely play a critical role in determining the rate of aqueous humor formation. Therefore, we have examined the effects of altering Cl- transport on the intracellular composition in this initial microprobe study of the ciliary epithelium. As expected, exposure to bicarbonate increased the intracellular Cl and water contents. Replacement of external Cl- by NO3- was twice as effective as replacement by gluconate in leaching Cl- out of the intracellular compartment. An unexpected finding was that NO3- replacement of internal Cl- substantially increased the intracellular Na and decreased the intracellular K content, possibly by stabilizing the Na,K-pump in the E1P form and inhibiting enzyme activity.

Animals↗

Regulatory volume increase of human non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells.

Cells (ODM/SV40) derived from human non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells were studied by electronic cell sizing. After transiently suspending the cells in hypotonic solution, isotonicity was restored by addition of sucrose. The cell volumes (vc) initially fell below those of control isotonic suspensions, and subsequently increased towards the baseline level. This secondary increase in vc is termed the regulatory volume increase (RVI). Results obtained with ionic substitutions and transport inhibitors indicate that four ionic mechanisms can support the RVI in these cells: coupled Na+/H+ and Cl-/HCO3- antiports, a Na+/Cl- symport, a Na+/K+/2Cl- symport, and a Na+ channel in parallel with a Cl-/HCO3- antiport. Arachidonic acid metabolites regulate the RVI very differently from their effects on the regulatory volume response (RVD) of the same cells to cell swelling. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), leukotriene (LTD4) and the PKC-inhibitor staurosporine all inhibit the RVI. Blockade of the cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase and epoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism [with 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA)] produces a net acceleration of the RVI. In contrast, PGE2 and staurosporine stimulate, LTD4 has no effect, and ETYA inhibits the RVD. We suggest that knowledge of the ionic mechanisms and intracellular signalling underlying the RVI phenomenon may provide a basis for reducing the rate of net aqueous humor formation by increasing the rate of reabsorption of fluid from the aqueous humor into the non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells.

Biological Transport, Active↗

Association of ClC-3 channel with Cl- transport by human nonpigmented ciliary epithelial cells.

Electrophysiologic and volumetric evidence link the swelling-activated Cl- channels [gCl(Vol)] of nonpigmented ciliary epithelial (NPE) cells with the Cl(-)-channel/Cl(-)-channel regulator protein pICln. However, inhibitors (verapamil and dideoxyforskolin) of another Cl- channel/regulator (MDR1) have been found to inhibit the volume-activated transport response [the regulatory volume decrease (RVD)] of bovine NPE cells. We have addressed the possible molecular basis for the NPE Cl- channels by volumetric measurements of ODM human NPE cells in hypotonic and isotonic test solutions, and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cloning and Northern analyses of the same cells. Verapamil and dideoxyforskolin did inhibit the RVD. However, at a concentration (100 microM) which blocks > 90% of the MDR1-associated Cl- currents, forskolin had no effect on the volume-activated Cl- channels or on the inhibition of those channels by protein kinase C. High concentrations of ATP (3.5 and 10 mM) and niflumic acid (IC50 approximately 200 microM) also block [gCl(Vol)]. The RVD is inhibited by 9-phenylanthranilic acid (DPC) and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate (NPPB), unaffected by anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (9-AC), and stimulated by ionomycin. The Cl(-)-channel blockers NPPB, niflumic acid, DPC and 9-AC, and the Ca2(+)-ionophore ionomycin had qualitatively similar effects on the rate of staurosporine-activated isotonic cell shrink-age. These results support the concept that the volume-sensitive protein pICln regulates the Cl- channels, and that the same conduits subserve volume- and staurosporine-activated Cl- release. Of the cloned and sequenced Cl- channels, ClC-3 uniquely conforms to the stationary currents and PKC sensitivity of the NPE Cl- channels. PCR amplifications of human cDNA libraries from ciliary body, NPE cells and retina with primers based on human ClC-3 and ClC-4 cDNA, and Northern analyses using the products generated indicated that ciliary epithelial cells express transcripts for ClC-3 (but not ClC-4). We suggest that ClC-3 provides the same conduit for both volume-activated and isotonically staurosporine-activated Cl- channels of human nonpigmented ciliary epithelial cells.

Alkaloids↗

Regulation of epithelial Na+ permeability by protein kinase C is tissue specific.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a major regulator of a broad range of cellular functions. Activation of PKC has been reported to stimulate Na+ transport across frog skin epithelium by increasing the apical Na+ permeability. This positive natriferic response has not been observed with other epithelial preparations, and could reflect the specific experimental conditions of different laboratories, or species or organ specificity of the response to PKC. In the present study, measurements were conducted with skins and urinary bladders from the same animals of two different species. The PKC activator TPA uniformly increased the transepithelial Na+ transport (measured as amiloride-sensitive short-circuit current, ISC, across skins from Rana temporaria and Bufo marinus, and inhibited ISC across bladders from the same animals. Inhibitors of PKC (staurosporine, H-7 and chelerythrine) partially blocked the TPA-induced stimulation of ISC across frog skin. The specificity of the PKC response by amphibian skin could have reflected an induction of moulting, similar to that observed with aldosterone. However, light micrographs of paired areas of frog skin revealed no evidence of the putative moulting. Separation of stratum corneum from the underlying stratum granulosum could be detected following application of aldosterone. We conclude that the effect of PKC on epithelial Na+ channels is organ, and not species specific. The stimulation of Na+ permeability in amphibian skin does not arise from sloughing of the stratum corneum. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the natriferic action arises from the calcium-independent isozyme of PKC previously detected in frog skin.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Whole cell and unitary amiloride-sensitive sodium currents in M-1 mouse cortical collecting duct cells.

Amiloride-sensitive whole cell currents have been reported in M-1 mouse cortical collecting duct cells (Korbmacher et al., J. Gen. Physiol. 102: 761-793, 1993). We have confirmed that amiloride inhibits the whole cell currents but not necessarily the measured whole cell currents. Anomalous responses were eliminated by removing external Na+ and/or introducing paraepithelial shunts. The amiloride-sensitive whole cell currents displayed Goldman rectification. The ionic selectivity sequence of the amiloride-sensitive conductance was Li+ > Na+ >> K+. Growth of M-1 cells on permeable supports increased the amiloride-sensitive whole cell permeability, compared with cells grown on plastic. Single amiloride-sensitive channels were observed, which conformed to the highly selective low-conductance amiloride-sensitive class [Na(5)] of epithelial Na+ channels. Hypotonic pretreatment markedly slowed run-down of channel activity. The gating of the M-1 Na+ channel in excised patches was complex. Open- and closed-state dwell-time distributions from patches that display one operative channel were best described with two or more exponential terms each. We conclude that 1) study of M-1 whole cell Na+ currents is facilitated by reducing the transepithelial potential to zero, 2) these M-1 currents reflect the operation of Na(5) channels, and 3) the Na+ channels display complex kinetics, involving > or = 2 open and > or = 2 closed states.

Amiloride↗

Role of ion channels in aqueous humor formation.

The aqueous humor is secreted by the ciliary epithelium, a bilayered syncytial epithelium comprising a pigmented (PE) cell layer abutting the stroma and a nonpigmented (NPE) cell layer facing the aqueous phase. As in other epithelia, secretion depends on the transfer of solute, with water passively following. Na+, K+, and Cl- enter the syncytium principally through a Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- symport, diffusing to the aqueous surface of the NPE cells. The Na+, K+, and Cl- are secreted into the aqueous humor through the Na+/K+ exchange pump, K+ channels, and Cl- channels, respectively. Na+ is also secreted between the cells in response to a small transepithelial potential. The K+ channels are critical not only for K+ release but also for hyperpolarizing the membrane, providing an electrical driving force for Cl- secretion. Some of the K+ channels are Ca2+ sensitive and can be activated by Ca2+ entry through T- and L-type Ca2+ channels. The roles of the ciliary epithelial nonselective and Na+ channels are less clear. This review describes the ion channels thus far identified in the ciliary epithelium in terms of the activation and inactivation of their macroscopic currents, the open probabilities and conductances of the single channels, and their locations and regulation. The review relates each class of channel to known families of channels and indicates how those channels can contribute to the secretion of the aqueous humor.

Animals↗

Regulation of epithelial Na+ channels from M-1 cortical collecting duct cells.

The M-1 cell line is derived from the mouse cortical collecting duct and displays the low-conductance, highly Na(+)-selective channel activity of the alpha,beta, gamma-heterotrimeric epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC). The short-circuit current (Isc) across M-1 monolayers was 89 +/- 4 microA/cm2, and the transepithelial conductance was 2.1 +/- 0.2 mS/cm2. Isc was abolished by blocking the Na+ pump with ouabain. Both Isc and transepithelial conductance (gT) were inhibited by benzamil > amiloride >> dimethylamiloride. Under our experimental conditions, vasopressin, vasopressin, forskolin, and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) had no detectable effects on Isc or gT. Increasing apical Na+ entry with nystatin increased Isc. The possible regulation of the M-1 Na+ channel by cAMP-activated protein kinase A (PKA) was further examined with excised inside-out patches. The open-time probability (Po) was not fixed, displaying substantial variance. Perfusion with ATP itself, with the catalytic subunit of PKA with ATP, or with alkaline phosphatase had no consistent effect on Po, the unitary current, or the kinetics of the M-1 Na+ channel. The data are consistent with the concept that PKA stimulates ENaCs by phosphorylating a site with access to but not within the apical membrane patch during cell-attached and excised-patch studies.

Animals↗

Cell-attached patch clamping of the intact rabbit ciliary epithelium.

Following thorough removal of adhering aqueous humor, we have succeeded in patch clamping the intact rabbit ciliary epithelium in the cell-attached and inside-out excised-patch modes. Rapidly fluctuating currents ("chatter activity') were observed during recordings conducted for as long as 1 h. Chatter activity did not reflect seal instability since interconversion was noted between chatter activity and transitions between stable open and closed states, excision of patches into the bath was associated with substantial shifts in the reversal potential, and chatter activity could be triggered by sustained hyperpolarization, but was insensitive to stretch. The chatter channel was identified as cation-nonselective from the reversal potentials both in the cell-attached and excised-patch modes. The channel's kinetics were similar to those of the cGMP-activated phototransduction channel. The results of PCR amplifications of fragments in cDNA libraries from both human ciliary body and human nonpigmented ciliary epithelial (NPE) cells indicated that human ciliary epithelial cells transcribe message for the retinal phototransduction channel. The possible role of the phototransduction channel in expressing chatter activity was further explored by perfusing preparations with a known activator of that channel (cGMP) and with a known inhibitor (L-cis-diltiazem). Neither agent significantly affected chatter behavior. We conclude that: (1) this is the first demonstration of the feasibility of patch-clamping the intact ciliary epithelium; (2) the NPE cells display chatter activity arising from rapidly fluctuating transitions of a cation-nonselective channel; (3) NPE cells can transcribe message for the cation-nonselective phototransduction channel; and (4) if the observed chatter activity is from a homologue of the photo-transduction channel, the homologue is pharmacologically distinct.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning of the human volume-sensitive chloride conductance regulatory protein, pICln, from ocular ciliary epithelium.

Chloride channels in the ocular ciliary epithelium are believed to play a key role in aqueous humor formation. We isolated a cDNA clone from a lambda Uni-ZAP cDNA library of human nonpigmented ciliary epithelial (NPE) cells encoding the swelling-induced chloride channel/channel regulator pICln. The human clone contains an open reading frame of 237 amino acids (M(r) 26,293). The deduced human amino-acid sequence shows 90.2% and 92.7% identity with counterparts isolated from rat kidney and the canine kidney epithelial cell line MDCK. Human NPE cell lines exhibited significant levels of pICln transcripts. Complementary perforated-patch, whole-cell patch clamping demonstrated that swelling activates Cl- channels of the NPE cells, as suggested by ruptured-patch measurements. The results document the molecular isolation and identification of a human cDNA clone of a Cl- conductance regulator from ocular cells displaying volume-activated Cl-channels.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

cGMP modulates transport across the ciliary epithelium.

cGMP reduced the short-circuit current (ISC) when applied to the aqueous surface of isolated rabbit and cat ciliary epithelia. cGMP either stimulated (in the rabbit) or had no effect (in the cat) on ISC when applied to the stromal surface. Addition of the cGMP-mediated hormone atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) to the stromal (but not the aqueous) surface, or the nitrovasodilator sodium nitroprusside to the stromal surface, inhibited ISC across rabbit ciliary epithelium. The response to stromal cGMP was partly mediated by K+ channels at the stromal surface of the rabbit pigmented epithelial (PE) cells, since the effect was inhibited by stromal Ba2+, and was unaffected by Cl- replacement, by bumetanide, or by DIDS. In contrast, the response to aqueous cGMP was not likely mediated by changing either K+ or Cl- channels, based on transepithelial measurements of rabbit ciliary epithelium and complementary whole-cell patch clamping of cultured human nonpigmented ciliary epithelial (NPE) cells. The possibility of interacting effects between cGMP and cAMP in targeting the Na+, K(+)-exchange pump was also considered. Strophanthidin blocked the responses to either aqueous or stromal cGAMP. Applying 10 microns forskolin to generate endogenous cAMP enhanced the subsequent response to aqueous cGMP by approximately equal to 80%. We conclude that cGMP has at least two actions on the ciliary epithelium. The major effect may be to reverse cAMP-mediated inhibition of the NPE Na+ pumps at the aqueous surface of both rabbit and cat ciliary epithelia. The second effect is likely mediated by increasing K(+)-channel and pump activity of the rabbit PE cells at the stromal surface.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

PKC-sensitive Cl- channels associated with ciliary epithelial homologue of pICln.

Swelling activates and protein kinase C (PKC) downregulates Cl- channels in cultured nonpigmented ciliary epithelial (NPE) cells. We now report that the PKC inhibitor staurosporine upregulates whole cell Cl- currents isosmotically. The kinetics and current-voltage relationship are similar to those of volume-activated Cl- channels of these cells. These properties are inconsistent with cloned ClC-0, ClC-1, ClC-2, and MDR1 channels but could reflect the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channel or the Cl- channel regulator pICln. CFTR mRNA was undetectable by Northern analysis of cultured NPE cells or ciliary body tissue. In contrast, a human pICln probe obtained by polymerase chain reaction cloning and showing 90% identity with the rat cDNA clone detected high levels of transcripts in NPE cells. The level was low in tissue, where the NPE message was diluted by RNA from other cells. We conclude that NPE cells display staurosporine-activated Cl- channels [gSt(Cl)] likely identical with the volume-activated channels. The same cells expressing gSt(Cl) transcribe mRNA for a novel homologue (pHCBICln) of pICln that may regulate Cl- transport into the aqueous humor.

Alkaloids↗

Prolonged incubation with elevated glucose inhibits the regulatory response to shrinkage of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Transport defects by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and other cells are observed in experimental models of diabetes mellitus. Recent studies have established that glucose concentration, per se, is the critical risk factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. This study was designed to test whether transport alterations could be produced in the simplest model of diabetes, sustained exposure of cultured cells to a high-glucose environment. The regulatory transport responses to acute changes in cell volume were measured in order to assess the effects of glucose on a range of transport processes. Continuous lines of nontransformed human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells were grown for two weeks with either 5.6 low glucose (LG) or 26.0 high glucose (HG) mM in paired experiments. The cell volumes of suspended cells were studied in hypo-, iso- and hypertonic solutions containing the same ionic composition. Hypotonic swelling triggered a regulatory volume decrease (RVD), inhibited by reducing the chemical driving force for K+ efflux, or blocking K+ channels (with Ba2+) or Cl- channels (with NPPB). Thus, the RVD of the hRPE cells likely reflects efflux of K+ and Cl- through parallel channels. Shrinkage caused a regulatory volume increase (RVI), which was inhibited by blocking Na+/H+ (with dimethylamiloride) or Cl-/HCO3- exchange (with DIDS). Bumetanide inhibited the RVI significantly only when the K+ concentration was increased above the baseline level. Therefore, the RVI under our baseline conditions likely reflects primarily Na+/H+ and Cl-/HCO3- antiport exchange. Growth in high-glucose medium had no substantial effect on the RVD, but reduced the rate constant of the RVI by approximately 50%. The RVI was unaffected by growth in high-mannitol medium. Stimulation of protein kinase C (PKC) with DiC8 increased the RVI of HG-cells, but not of LG-cells. The DiC8-induced stimulation was bumetanide insensitive and abolished by 1 mM amiloride. Other transport effects of PKC (on the RVD) were unaltered in the HG-cells. We conclude that sustained elevation of extracellular glucose, per se, can downregulate the Na+/H+ antiport of target cells, an effect noted in streptozotocin-treated rats, and that this downregulation does not reflect interruption of the PKC-signaling pathway.

Antiporters↗

Pathways signaling the regulatory volume decrease of cultured nonpigmented ciliary epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: The authors identify the signaling pathways for the regulatory volume decrease (RVD) of nonpigmented ciliary epithelial (NPE) cells. The RVD is a regulatory response triggered by swelling and reflecting KCl release by NPE cells. METHODS: The cell volumes of human nonpigmented ciliary epithelial cells were measured in suspension by electronic cell sorting. Measurements were conducted in test solutions of constant ionic strength, but osmolality was varied by sucrose. RESULTS: Cyclic AMP (cAMP), forskolin, PGE2, the PKC-inhibitor staurosporine, and increasing cytoplasmic Ca2+ activity with thapsigargin all enhanced the RVD. Leukotrienes A4, D4, E4, and the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid had no detectable effect under the current experimental conditions. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, the epoxygenase inhibitors ketoconazole and SKF 525A, and the PKC activator DiC8 all downregulated the RVD. The addition of the cation ionophore, gramicidin, increased the RVD. In the presence of gramicidin, cAMP, PGE2, and indomethacin did not affect the RVD, but ketoconazole, DiC8, and the calcium-calmodulin blocker trifluoroperazine still inhibited--and staurosporine still enhanced--the RVD. Many of these observations are strikingly different from results reported with other cells. Anisosmotic swelling did not increase intracellular cAMP concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The pathways signaling the regulatory responses to swelling are unique for each cell type. The authors propose that hypotonic swelling of NPE cells stimulates arachidonic acid turnover, triggering PGE2-mediated upregulation of K+ channels and epoxide-mediated upregulation of Cl- channels. Swelling may also reduce endogenous PKC activity, further upregulating Cl- channels. Calcium-calmodulin plays a permissive role in upregulating the Cl- channels.

Arachidonic Acid↗

Whole-cell recording of neuroblastoma x glioma cells during downregulation of a major substrate, 80K/MARCKS, of protein kinase C.

Differentiated neuroblastoma cells exhibit both the delayed rectifier potassium current (IK) and the M-current (IM). The present study was designed to determine the roles of protein kinase C (PKC) and of the calmodulin-binding protein 80K/MARCKS, a prominent substrate for PKC and possible regulator of these currents. Neuroblastoma x glioma (NG108-15) hybrid cells transfected with m1 muscarinic receptors were grown with 1% fetal bovine serum (FBS) without the prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) usually added in preparation for electrophysiological studies. Under these conditions, the usual pleomorphism was largely abolished, leaving two populations of small cells with stellate and spherically symmetrical geometries. Whole-cell patch clamping indicated that the two cell types had identical electrophysiological properties, displaying: IK, a small current through a "T-like" Ca2+ channel, and no M-current. Stimulation with carbachol shifted the distribution of cells to a more stellate morphology within 24 hr and later (after 48 hr) reduced the PKC substrate 80K/MARCKS by 22 +/- 7%. In contrast to the stimulation of IK observed with cardiac cells, PKC activation produced only a small inhibition of IK, which was independent of carbachol pretreatment. Thus, PKC and 80K/MARCKS can be dissociated from the regulation of IK in neuroblastoma cells.

Animals↗

Bombesin treatment enhances vasopressin receptors in Swiss 3T3 cells.

Cells possess receptors for multiple different peptides that regulate a wide spectrum of biological processes. Although examples of homologous and heterologous downregulation have been reported, relatively little is known about the interaction between different peptides in modulating cellular activities. Here we demonstrate that pretreatment of Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts with 10 nM bombesin for 48 h enhanced the 45Ca2+ efflux acutely stimulated by vasopressin. The effect was not reciprocal, since preincubation with vasopressin did not affect the bombesin-stimulated Ca2+ efflux. Measurement of displaceable [3H] vasopressin binding demonstrated that bombesin pretreatment increases the hormonal binding by 3.8 +/- 0.2-fold (SE; n = 14) measured at 37 degrees C or at 4 degrees C. Scatchard analysis at 4 degrees C indicated that the increased binding reflects an increase in the number of vasopressin receptors without any significant effect on the apparent affinity of binding. Furthermore, addition of cycloheximide completely prevented the increase in [3H] vasopressin binding induced by bombesin. We conclude that long-term bombesin pretreatment induces heterologous enhancement of vasopressin responsiveness by increasing the number of membrane receptors.

3T3 Cells↗

Regulatory volume decrease by cultured non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells.

Cells (ODM C1-2/SV40) derived from human non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells were studied by electronic cell sizing. The time course of the cell volume (vc) was monitored after suspending cells in paired experimental and control, isosmotic and hyposmotic solutions of identical ionic composition. Following anisosmotic cell swelling, the cells displayed the regulatory volume decrease (RVD) previously described. The RVD primarily reflects loss of cell KCl since: (1) the K(+)-channel blockers quinidine and Ba2+ both inhibit the RVD; and (2) replacement of external Cl- with gluconate or addition of the Cl- channel blocker NPPB also inhibits the RVD. Bicarbonate has previously been reported to speed the RVD. This action likely reflects pH dependence of the channels since: (1) increasing the external pH speeds the RVD, whether or not HCO3- is present; and (2) DIDS (a blocker of Cl- channels and of Cl-/HCO3- exchange) is an effective inhibitor of the RVD, even after blocking Cl-/HCO3- exchange by removing external HCO3-. The RVD could also be inhibited by reducing the availability of Ca2+, either by omitting Ca2+ from the external medium or by blocking mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ with TMB-8. Furthermore, the RVD was slowed and incomplete in the presence of the calcium/calmodulin blocker trifluoperazine. We conclude that anisosmotic swelling triggers a series of events, mediated at least in part by calcium/calmodulin, leading to the extrusion of KCl through parallel K+ and Cl- channels.

Bicarbonates↗

Whole cell patch clamping of ciliary epithelial cells during anisosmotic swelling.

Anisosmotic cell swelling triggers a regulatory volume decrease (RVD) in cell lines derived from human nonpigmented ciliary epithelium. Measurements of cell volume have indicated that the RVD reflects activation of K+ and/or Cl- channels. We have begun to characterize the putative channels by whole cell patch clamping. The results obtained by altering the external K+ and Cl- concentrations and by adding 20-50 microM quinidine or 1 mM Ba2+ indicate that K+ conductances contribute substantially and Cl- conductances contribute very little to the total membrane conductance (GT) under baseline isotonic conditions. Reducing the external osmolality by 20-50% reversibly and reproducibly increased GT by an order of magnitude. Data obtained from ion substitutions and the channel blockers quinidine and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate indicate that most of the hypotonicity-induced conductance reflects stationary Cl(-)-channel activity. The contribution of new K(+)-channel activity was small at intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations of 10 or 200 nM. We conclude that the RVD triggered by bath hypotonicity primarily reflects increased Cl(-)-channel activity.

Chlorides↗

Effect of bicarbonate on intracellular potential of rabbit ciliary epithelium.

Extracellular HCO3- hyperpolarizes the intracellular potential and makes the aqueous medium negative with respect to the stromal surface of the rabbit ciliary epithelial syncytium. The bases for these observations have been unclear. We have been studying the bicarbonate-induced hyperpolarization (BIH) with sustained intracellular recordings for periods as long as 1-2 hrs. The BIH was observed [6.0 +/- 0.4 mV (mean +/- SE, N = 22)] even when the external pH was clamped constant by appropriately changing the CO2 tension. External HCO3- was required since aeration with CO2 at low external pH did not replicate the BIH. DIDS [4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulfonic acid] did not abolish the effect. The hyperpolarization is unlikely to reflect the pH dependence of K+ channels alone, since the effect was not reduced by either 2 mM Ba2+ alone or 2 mM Ba2+ together with 50-100 microM quinidine. The BIH depends directly or indirectly on external Na+, since the sign of the polarization response was reversed either by replacing Na+ with N-methyl-D-glucamine or by blocking the Na+,K(+)-exchange pump with 50-100 microM ouabain. Replacement of external Cl- with NO3- or application of the Cl(-)channel blocker NPPB [5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate] depolarized the membrane and reversed the sign of the BIH. The response of the ciliary epithelium to HCO3- is complex and may arise from several mechanisms. We suggest that one important element is an anion channel whose conductance is reduced by bicarbonate and whose reversal potential is indirectly dependent on the operations of the Na+,K(+)-pump and a Cl(-)-linked symport.

Animals↗