Effect of membrane potential depolarization on the organization of the actin cytoskeleton of eye epithelia. The role of adherens junctions

Ion channel TRPV2 is critical in enhancing B cell activation and function

The function of transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) cation channels governing B cell activation remains to be explored. We present evidence that TRPV2 is highly expressed in B cells and plays a crucial role in the formation of the B cell immunological synapse and B cell activation. Physiologically, TRPV2 expression level is positively correlated to influenza-specific antibody production and is low in newborns and seniors. Pathologically, a positive correlation is established between TRPV2 expression and the clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in adult and child SLE patients. Correspondingly, mice with deficient TRPV2 in B cells display impaired antibody responses following immunization. Mechanistically, the pore and N-terminal domains of TRPV2 are crucial for gating cation permeation and executing mechanosensation in B cells upon antigen stimulation. These processes synergistically contribute to membrane potential depolarization and cytoskeleton remodeling within the B cell immunological synapse, fostering efficient B cell activation. Thus, TRPV2 is critical in augmenting B cell activation and function.

Cell-cell interaction in the pathogenesis of inherited retinal diseases

The retina is part of the central nervous system specialized for vision. Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) are a group of clinically and genetically heterogenous disorders that lead to progressive vision impairment or blindness. Although each disorder is rare, IRD accumulatively cause blindness in up to 5.5 million individuals worldwide. Currently, the pathophysiological mechanisms of IRD are not fully understood and there are limited treatment options available. Most IRD are caused by degeneration of light-sensitive photoreceptors. Genetic mutations that abrogate the structure and/or function of photoreceptors lead to visual impairment followed by blindness caused by loss of photoreceptors. In healthy retina, photoreceptors structurally and functionally interact with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Müller glia (MG) to maintain retinal homeostasis. Multiple IRD with photoreceptor degeneration as a major phenotype are caused by mutations of RPE- and/or MG-associated genes. Recent studies also reveal compromised MG and RPE caused by mutations in ubiquitously expressed ciliary genes. Therefore, photoreceptor degeneration could be a direct consequence of gene mutations and/or could be secondary to the dysfunction of their interaction partners in the retina. This review summarizes the mechanisms of photoreceptor-RPE/MG interaction in supporting retinal functions and discusses how the disruption of these processes could lead to photoreceptor degeneration, with an aim to provide a unique perspective of IRD pathogenesis and treatment paradigm. We will first describe the biology of retina and IRD and then discuss the interaction between photoreceptors and MG/RPE as well as their implications in disease pathogenesis. Finally, we will summarize the recent advances in IRD therapeutics targeting MG and/or RPE.

Evidence that Nectin-3 is the soybean agglutinin binding protein on rat corneal endothelium cell surfaces

The means by which the lectin soybean agglutinin (SBA) binds to the corneal endothelium cell surface following explantation into organ culture was investigated using Sprague-Dawley rats. SBA binding does not occur in freshly isolated and fixed rat corneal endothelium. However, after 48 h in organ culture, SBA binding occurs in a punctate pattern that clearly outlines all endothelial cells of the tissue monolayer. To determine what cell surface component was responsible for this binding, a series of experiments were employed that focused on the possibility that SBA bound to a nectin molecule(s). To this extent we performed a series of immunocytochemical localizations using antibodies against either nectin-2, nectin-3 or nectin-4. Of these, only nectin-3 bound to the endothelium in a manner that mimicked SBA binding. To further verify that nectin-3 bound SBA, displacement experiments employing non-labeled SBA were undertaken. Following a 48 h organ culture, tissues were fixed and incubated with SBA followed by exposure to nectin-3 antibody. No subsequent immunofluorescence could be detected, indicating that anti-nectin-3 binding was prevented. Likewise, when organ-cultured tissues were fixed and incubated in anti-nectin-3 antibody, followed by SBA exposure, no SBA binding could be detected. These results suggest that stresses accompanying explantation of the tissue into organ culture promote the appearance of nectin-3 around the cell periphery. The emergence of nectin-3 along the peripheral endothelial cell membrane in organ culture may imply a necessary role for this molecule in maintaining monolayer integrity and barrier function during either a pathologic condition, wound repair, or in organ storage.

Kir2.1-mediated membrane potential promotes nutrient acquisition and inflammation through regulation of nutrient transporters

Immunometabolism contributes to inflammation, but how activated macrophages acquire extracellular nutrients to fuel inflammation is largely unknown. Here, we show that the plasma membrane potential (V_m) of macrophages mediated by Kir2.1, an inwardly-rectifying K⁺ channel, is an important determinant of nutrient acquisition and subsequent metabolic reprogramming promoting inflammation. In the absence of Kir2.1 activity, depolarized macrophage V_m lead to a caloric restriction state by limiting nutrient uptake and concomitant adaptations in nutrient conservation inducing autophagy, AMPK (Adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase), and GCN2 (General control nonderepressible 2), which subsequently depletes epigenetic substrates feeding histone methylation at loci of a cluster of metabolism-responsive inflammatory genes, thereby suppressing their transcription. Kir2.1-mediated V_m supports nutrient uptake by facilitating cell-surface retention of nutrient transporters such as 4F2hc and GLUT1 by its modulation of plasma membrane phospholipid dynamics. Pharmacological targeting of Kir2.1 alleviated inflammation triggered by LPS or bacterial infection in a sepsis model and sterile inflammation in human samples. These findings identify an ionic control of macrophage activation and advance our understanding of the immunomodulatory properties of V_m that links nutrient inputs to inflammatory diseases.

A Note of Caution: Gramicidin Affects Signaling Pathways Independently of Its Effects on Plasma Membrane Conductance

Gramicidin is a thoroughly studied cation ionophore widely used to experimentally manipulate the plasma membrane potential (PMP). In addition, it has been established that the drug, due to its hydrophobic nature, is capable of affecting the organization of membrane lipids. We have previously shown that modifications in the plasma membrane potential of epithelial cells in culture determine reorganizations of the cytoskeleton. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved, we explored the effects of PMP depolarization on some putative signaling intermediates. In the course of these studies, we came across some results that could not be interpreted in terms of the properties of gramicidin as an ionic channel. The purpose of the present work is to communicate these results and, in general, to draw attention to the fact that gramicidin effects can be misleadingly attributed to its ionic or electrical properties. In addition, this work also contributes with some novel findings of the modifications provoked on the signaling intermediates by PMP depolarization and hyperpolarization.

Inducible Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model and Treat Inherited Degenerative Diseases of the Outer Retina: 3D-Organoids Limitations and Bioengineering Solutions

Inherited retinal degenerations (IRD) affecting either photoreceptors or pigment epithelial cells cause progressive visual loss and severe disability, up to complete blindness. Retinal organoids (ROs) technologies opened up the development of human inducible pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) for disease modeling and replacement therapies. However, hiPSC-derived ROs applications to IRD presently display limited maturation and functionality, with most photoreceptors lacking well-developed outer segments (OS) and light responsiveness comparable to their adult retinal counterparts. In this review, we address for the first time the microenvironment where OS mature, i.e., the subretinal space (SRS), and discuss SRS role in photoreceptors metabolic reprogramming required for OS generation. We also address bioengineering issues to improve culture systems proficiency to promote OS maturation in hiPSC-derived ROs. This issue is crucial, as satisfying the demanding metabolic needs of photoreceptors may unleash hiPSC-derived ROs full potential for disease modeling, drug development, and replacement therapies.

Vitamin-D3 (α-1, 25(OH) 2D3) Protects Retinal Pigment Epithelium From Hyperoxic Insults

Purpose

Oxidative stress affects the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) leading to development of vascular eye diseases. Cholecalciferol (VIT-D) is a known modulator of oxidative stress and angiogenesis. This in vitro study was carried out to evaluate the protective role of VIT-D on RPE cells incubated under hyperoxic conditions.

Methods

Cadaver primary RPE (PRPE) cells were cultured in hyperoxia (40% O₂) with or without VIT-D (α-1, 25(OH) 2D3). The functional and physiological effects of PRPE cells with VIT-D treatment were analyzed using molecular and biochemical tools.

Results

Vascular signaling modulators, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Notch, were reduced in hyperoxic conditions but significantly upregulated in the presence of VIT-D. Additionally, PRPE conditioned medium with VIT-D induced the tubulogenesis in primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) cells. VIT-D supplementation restored phagocytosis and transmembrane potential in PRPE cells cultured under hyperoxia.

Conclusions

VIT-D protects RPE cells and promotes angiogenesis under hyperoxic insult. These findings may give impetus to the potential of VIT-D as a therapeutic agent in hyperoxia induced retinal vascular diseases.

Voltage-dependent activation of Rac1 by Nav 1.5 channels promotes cell migration

Ion channels can regulate the plasma membrane potential (Vm ) and cell migration as a result of altered ion flux. However, the mechanism by which Vm regulates motility remains unclear. Here, we show that the Nav 1.5 sodium channel carries persistent inward Na+ current which depolarizes the resting Vm at the timescale of minutes. This Nav 1.5-dependent Vm depolarization increases Rac1 colocalization with phosphatidylserine, to which it is anchored at the leading edge of migrating cells, promoting Rac1 activation. A genetically encoded FRET biosensor of Rac1 activation shows that depolarization-induced Rac1 activation results in acquisition of a motile phenotype. By identifying Nav 1.5-mediated Vm depolarization as a regulator of Rac1 activation, we link ionic and electrical signaling at the plasma membrane to small GTPase-dependent cytoskeletal reorganization and cellular migration. We uncover a novel and unexpected mechanism for Rac1 activation, which fine tunes cell migration in response to ionic and/or electric field changes in the local microenvironment.

Signaling pathways in cytoskeletal responses to plasma membrane depolarization in corneal endothelial cells

In previous work, we reported that plasma membrane potential depolarization (PMPD) provokes cortical F-actin remodeling in bovine corneal endothelial (BCE) cells in culture, which eventually leads to the appearance of intercellular gaps. In kidney epithelial cells it has been shown that PMPD determines an extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/Rho-dependent increase in diphosphorylated myosin light chain (ppMLC). The present study investigated the signaling pathways involved in the response of BCE cells to PMPD. Differently to renal epithelial cells, we observed that PMPD leads to a decrease in monophosphorylated MLC (pMLC) without affecting diphosphorylated MLC. Also, that the pMLC reduction is a consequence of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) activation. In addition, we found evidence that the cAMP increase mostly depends on soluble adenylyl cyclase activity. Inhibition of this enzyme reduces the effect of PMPD on the cAMP rise, F-actin remodeling, and pMLC decrease. No changes in phosho-ERK were observed, although we could determine that RhoA undergoes activation. Our results suggested that active RhoA is not involved in the intercellular gap formation. Overall, the findings of this study support the view that, differently to renal epithelial cells, in BCE cells PMPD determines cytoskeletal reorganization via activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway.

Membrane Potential Distinctly Modulates Mobility and Signaling of IL-2 and IL-15 Receptors in T Cells

The high electric field across the plasma membrane might influence the conformation and behavior of transmembrane proteins that have uneven charge distributions in or near their transmembrane regions. Membrane depolarization of T cells occurs in the tumor microenvironment and in inflamed tissues because of K+ release from necrotic cells and hypoxia affecting the expression of K+ channels. However, little attention has been given to the effect of membrane potential (MP) changes on membrane receptor function. Therefore, we studied the influence of membrane de- and hyperpolarization on the biophysical properties and signaling of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-15 (IL-15) receptors, which play important roles in T cell function. We investigated the mobility, clustering, and signaling of these receptors and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I/II glycoproteins forming coclusters in lipid rafts of T cells. Depolarization by high K+ buffer or K+ channel blockers resulted in a decrease in the mobility of IL-2Rα and MHC glycoproteins, as shown by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, whereas hyperpolarization by the K+ ionophore valinomycin increased their mobility. Contrary to this, the mobility of IL-15Rα decreased upon both de- and hyperpolarization. These changes in protein mobility are not due to an alteration of membrane fluidity, as evidenced by fluorescence anisotropy measurements. Förster resonance energy transfer measurements showed that most homo- or heteroassociations of IL-2R, IL-15R, and MHC I did not change considerably, either. MP changes modulated signaling by the two cytokines in distinct ways: depolarization caused a significant increase in the IL-2-induced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5, whereas hyperpolarization evoked a decrease only in the IL-15-induced signal. Our data imply that the MP may be an important modulator of interleukin receptor signaling and dynamics. Enhanced IL-2 signaling in depolarized Treg cells highly expressing IL-2R may contribute to suppression of antitumor immune surveillance.

Resveratrol reverses the adverse effects of bevacizumab on cultured ARPE-19 cells

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) are one of the major causes of blindness caused by neo-vascular changes in the retina. Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections are widely used in the treatment of wet-AMD and PDR. A significant percentage of treated patients have complications of repeated injections. Resveratrol (RES) is a polyphenol phytoalexin with anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. Hence, we hypothesized that if RES is used in combination with bevacizumab (BEV, anti-VEGF), it could reverse the adverse effects that precipitate fibrotic changes, drusen formation, tractional retinal detachment and so on. Human retinal pigment epithelial cells were treated with various combinations of BEV and RES. There was partial reduction in secreted VEGF levels compared to untreated controls. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition was lower in BEV + RES treated cultures compared to BEV treated cultures. The proliferation status was similar in BEV + RES as well as BEV treated cultures both groups. Phagocytosis was enhanced in the presence of BEV + RES compared to BEV. Furthermore, we observed that notch signaling was involved in reversing the adverse effects of BEV. This study paves way for a combinatorial strategy to treat as well as prevent adverse effects of therapy in patients with wet AMD and PDR.

The Epithelial Sodium Channel and the Processes of Wound Healing

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) mediates passive sodium transport across the apical membranes of sodium absorbing epithelia, like the distal nephron, the intestine, and the lung airways. Additionally, the channel has been involved in the transduction of mechanical stimuli, such as hydrostatic pressure, membrane stretch, and shear stress from fluid flow. Thus, in vascular endothelium, it participates in the control of the vascular tone via its activity both as a sodium channel and as a shear stress transducer. Rather recently, ENaC has been shown to participate in the processes of wound healing, a role that may also involve its activities as sodium transporter and as mechanotransducer. Its presence as the sole channel mediating sodium transport in many tissues and the diversity of its functions probably underlie the complexity of its regulation. This brief review describes some aspects of ENaC regulation, comments on evidence about ENaC participation in wound healing, and suggests possible regulatory mechanisms involved in this participation.

Proton-induced endocytosis is dependent on cell membrane fluidity, lipid-phase order and the membrane resting potential

Recently it has been shown that decreasing the extracellular pH of cells stimulates the formation of inward membrane invaginations and vesicles, accompanied by an enhanced uptake of macromolecules. This type of endocytosis was coined as proton-induced uptake (PIU). Though the initial induction of inward membrane curvature was rationalized in terms of proton-based increase of charge asymmetry across the membrane, the dependence of the phenomenon on plasma membrane characteristics is still unknown. The present study shows that depolarization of the membrane resting potential elevates PIU by 25%, while hyperpolarization attenuates it by 25%. Comparison of uptake in suspended and adherent cells implicates that the resting-potential affects PIU through remodeling the actin-cytoskeleton. The pH at the external interface of the cell membrane rather than the pH gradient across it determines the extent of PIU. PIU increases linearly upon temperature increase in the range of 4-36°C, in correlation with the membrane fluidity. The plasma membrane fluidity and the lipid phase order are modulated by enriching the cell's membrane with cholesterol, tergitol, dimethylsulfoxide, 6-ketocholestanol and phloretin and by cholesterol depletion. These treatments are shown to alter the extent of PIU and are better correlated with membrane fluidity than with the lipid phase order. We suggest that the lipid phase order and fluidity influence PIU by regulating the lipid order gradient across the perimeter of the lipid-condensed microdomains (rafts) and alter the characteristic tension line that separates the higher ordered lipid-domains from the lesser ordered ones.

Membrane potential and cancer progression

Membrane potential (V_m), the voltage across the plasma membrane, arises because of the presence of different ion channels/transporters with specific ion selectivity and permeability. V_m is a key biophysical signal in non-excitable cells, modulating important cellular activities, such as proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, the multiplicities of various ion channels/transporters expressed on different cells are finely tuned in order to regulate the V_m. It is well-established that cancer cells possess distinct bioelectrical properties. Notably, electrophysiological analyses in many cancer cell types have revealed a depolarized V_m that favors cell proliferation. Ion channels/transporters control cell volume and migration, and emerging data also suggest that the level of V_m has functional roles in cancer cell migration. In addition, hyperpolarization is necessary for stem cell differentiation. For example, both osteogenesis and adipogenesis are hindered in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) under depolarizing conditions. Therefore, in the context of cancer, membrane depolarization might be important for the emergence and maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs), giving rise to sustained tumor growth. This review aims to provide a broad understanding of the V_m as a bioelectrical signal in cancer cells by examining several key types of ion channels that contribute to its regulation. The mechanisms by which V_m regulates cancer cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation will be discussed. In the long term, V_m might be a valuable clinical marker for tumor detection with prognostic value, and could even be artificially modified in order to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis.

K⁺ efflux is the common trigger of NLRP3 inflammasome activation by bacterial toxins and particulate matter

The NLRP3 inflammasome is an important component of the innate immune system. However, its mechanism of activation remains largely unknown. We show that NLRP3 activators including bacterial pore-forming toxins, nigericin, ATP, and particulate matter caused mitochondrial perturbation or the opening of a large membrane pore, but this was not required for NLRP3 activation. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species generation or a change in cell volume was not necessary for NLRP3 activation. Instead, the only common activity induced by all NLRP3 agonists was the permeation of the cell membrane to K⁺ and Na⁺. Notably, reduction of the intracellular K⁺ concentration was sufficient to activate NLRP3, whereas an increase in intracellular Na⁺ modulated but was not strictly required for inflammasome activation. These results provide a unifying model for the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in which a drop in cytosolic K⁺ is the common step that is necessary and sufficient for caspase-1 activation.

The plasma membrane potential and the organization of the actin cytoskeleton of epithelial cells

The establishment and maintenance of the polarized epithelial phenotype require a characteristic organization of the cytoskeletal components. There are many cellular effectors involved in the regulation of the cytoskeleton of epithelial cells. Recently, modifications in the plasma membrane potential (PMP) have been suggested to participate in the modulation of the cytoskeletal organization of epithelia. Here, we review evidence showing that changes in the PMP of diverse epithelial cells promote characteristic modifications in the cytoskeletal organization, with a focus on the actin cytoskeleton. The molecular paths mediating these effects may include voltage-sensitive integral membrane proteins and/or peripheral proteins sensitive to surface potentials. The voltage dependence of the cytoskeletal organization seems to have implications in several physiological processes, including epithelial wound healing and apoptosis.

Changes in astrocyte shape induced by sublytic concentrations of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin pneumolysin still require pore-forming capacity

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common pathogen that causes various infections, such as sepsis and meningitis. A major pathogenic factor of S. pneumoniae is the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin, pneumolysin. It produces cell lysis at high concentrations and apoptosis at lower concentrations. We have shown that sublytic amounts of pneumolysin induce small GTPase-dependent actin cytoskeleton reorganization and microtubule stabilization in human neuroblastoma cells that are manifested by cell retraction and changes in cell shape. In this study, we utilized a live imaging approach to analyze the role of pneumolysin’s pore-forming capacity in the actin-dependent cell shape changes in primary astrocytes. After the initial challenge with the wild-type toxin, a permeabilized cell population was rapidly established within 20-40 minutes. After the initial rapid permeabilization, the size of the permeabilized population remained unchanged and reached a plateau. Thus, we analyzed the non-permeabilized (non-lytic) population, which demonstrated retraction and shape changes that were inhibited by actin depolymerization. Despite the non-lytic nature of pneumolysin treatment, the toxin’s lytic capacity remained critical for the initiation of cell shape changes. The non-lytic pneumolysin mutants W433F-pneumolysin and delta6-pneumolysin, which bind the cell membrane with affinities similar to that of the wild-type toxin, were not able to induce shape changes. The initiation of cell shape changes and cell retraction by the wild-type toxin were independent of calcium and sodium influx and membrane depolarization, which are known to occur following cellular challenge and suggested to result from the ion channel-like properties of the pneumolysin pores. Excluding the major pore-related phenomena as the initiation mechanism of cell shape changes, the existence of a more complex relationship between the pore-forming capacity of pneumolysin and the actin cytoskeleton reorganization is suggested.

The outer limiting membrane (OLM) revisited: clinical implications

Purpose

The outer limiting membrane (OLM) is considered to play a role in maintaining the structure of the retina through mechanical strength. However, the observation of junction proteins located at the OLM and its barrier permeability properties may suggest that the OLM may be part of the retinal barrier.

Material and methods

Normal and diabetic rat, monkey, and human retinas were used to analyze junction proteins at the OLM. Proteome analyses were performed using immunohistochemistry on sections and flat-mounted retinas and western blotting on protein extracts obtained from laser microdissection of the photoreceptor layers. Semi-thin and ultrastructure analyses were also reported.

Results

In the rat retina, in the subapical region zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), junction adhesion molecule (JAM), an atypical protein kinase C, is present and the OLM shows dense labeling of occludin, JAM, and ZO-1. The presence of occludin has been confirmed using western blot analysis of the microdissected OLM region. In diabetic rats, occludin expression is decreased and glial cells junctions are dissociated. In the monkey retina, occludin, JAM, and ZO-1 are also found in the OLM. Junction proteins have a specific distribution around cone photoreceptors and Müller glia. Ultrastructural analyses suggest that structures like tight junctions may exist between retinal glial Müller cells and photoreceptors.

Conclusions

In the OLM, heterotypic junctions contain proteins from both adherent and tight junctions. Their structure suggests that tight junctions may exist in the OLM. Occludin is present in the OLM of the rat and monkey retina and it is decreased in diabetes. The OLM should be considered as part of the retinal barrier that can be disrupted in pathological conditions contributing to fluid accumulation in the macula.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase and GEF-H1 mediate depolarization-induced Rho activation and paracellular permeability increase

Plasma membrane depolarization activates the Rho/Rho kinase (ROK) pathway and thereby enhances myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, which in turn is thought to be a key regulator of paracellular permeability. However, the upstream mechanisms that couple depolarization to Rho activation and permeability changes are unknown. Here we show that three different depolarizing stimuli (high extracellular K(+) concentration, the lipophilic cation tetraphenylphosphonium, or l-alanine, which is taken up by electrogenic Na(+) cotransport) all provoke robust phosphorylation of ERK in LLC-PK1 and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Importantly, inhibition of ERK prevented the depolarization-induced activation of Rho. Searching for the underlying mechanism, we have identified the GTP/GDP exchange factor GEF-H1 as the ERK-regulated critical exchange factor responsible for the depolarization-induced Rho activation. This conclusion is based on our findings that 1) depolarization activated GEF-H1 but not p115RhoGEF, 2) short interfering RNA-mediated GEF-H1 silencing eliminated the activation of the Rho pathway, and 3) ERK inhibition prevented the activation of GEF-H1. Moreover, we found that the Na(+)-K(+) pump inhibitor ouabain also caused ERK, GEF-H1, and Rho activation, partially due to its depolarizing effect. Regarding the functional consequences of this newly identified pathway, we found that depolarization increased paracellular permeability in LLC-PK1 and MDCK cells and that this effect was mitigated by inhibiting myosin using blebbistatin or a dominant negative (phosphorylation incompetent) MLC. Taken together, we propose that the ERK/GEF-H1/Rho/ROK/pMLC pathway could be a central mechanism whereby electrogenic transmembrane transport processes control myosin phosphorylation and regulate paracellular transport in the tubular epithelium.

Potential Roles of Electrogenic Ion Transport and Plasma Membrane Depolarization in Apoptosis

Apoptosis is characterized by the programmed activation of specific biochemical pathways leading to the organized demise of cells. To date, aspects of the intracellular signaling machinery involved in this phenomenon have been extensively dissected and characterized. However, recent studies have elucidated a novel role for changes in the intracellular milieu of the cells as important modulators of the cell death program. Specially, intracellular ionic homeostasis has been reported to be a determinant in both the activation and progression of the apoptotic cascade. Several apoptotic insults trigger specific changes in ionic gradients across the plasma membrane leading to depolarization of the plasma membrane potential (PMP). These changes lead to ionic imbalance early during apoptosis. Several studies have also suggested the activation and/or modulation of specific ionic transport mechanisms including ion channels, transporters and ATPases, as mediators of altered intracellular ionic homeostasis leading to PMP depolarization during apoptosis. However, the role of PMP depolarization and of the changes in ionic homeostasis during the progression of apoptosis are still unclear. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the causes and consequences of PMP depolarization during apoptosis. We also review the potential electrogenic ion transport mechanisms associated with this event, including the net influx/efflux of cations and anions. An understanding of these mechamisms could lead to the generation of new therapeutic approaches for a variety of diseases involving apoptosis.

A possible role for membrane depolarization in epithelial wound healing

Linear narrow wounds produced on cultured bovine corneal endothelial monolayers heal by actin cable formation at the wound border and lamellar crawling of cells into the injured area. We report the novel finding that membrane potential depolarization occurs at the leading edge of wounds and gradually extends inward toward the neighboring cells. We have determined that the replacement of extracellular Na+by choline and the incorporation of phenamil, an inhibitor of the epithelial Na+channel (ENaC), provoke a decrease in the actin cable and depolarization areas and in the lamellar activity of the wound edges. To the contrary, extracellular Li+can successfully replace Na+in the determination of the depolarization and cytoskeletal responses. This finding supports the idea that membrane depolarization, not the increase in intracellular Na+concentration, is responsible for the formation of the actin cable, a result that is in agreement with previous evidence showing that nonspecific depolarization of the plasma membrane potential (PMP) of epithelial cells may promote characteristic cytoskeletal rearrangements per se (Chifflet S, Hernández JA, Grasso S, and Cirillo A. Exp Cell Res 282: 1–13, 2003). We suggest that spontaneous depolarization of the PMP of the cells at the wound borders determined by a rise in the ENaC activity of these cells constitutes an additional factor in the intermediate cellular processes leading to wound healing in some epithelia.