Effects of prostaglandin E2 on amiloride-blockable Na+ channels in a distal nephron cell line (A6)

Prostaglandin E2 stimulates the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in cultured mouse cortical collecting duct cells in an autocrine manner

Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) is the most abundant prostanoid in the kidney, affecting a wide range of renal functions. Conflicting data have been reported regarding the effects of PGE₂ on tubular water and ion transport. The amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is rate limiting for transepithelial sodium transport in the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron. The aim of the present study was to explore a potential role of PGE₂ in regulating ENaC in cortical collecting duct (CCD) cells. Short-circuit current (I_SC) measurements were performed using the murine mCCD_cl1 cell line known to express characteristic properties of CCD principal cells and to be responsive to physiological concentrations of aldosterone and vasopressin. PGE₂ stimulated amiloride-sensitive I_SC via basolateral prostaglandin E receptors type 4 (EP₄) with an EC₅₀ of ∼7.1 nM. The rapid stimulatory effect of PGE₂ on I_SC resembled that of vasopressin. A maximum response was reached within minutes, coinciding with an increased abundance of β-ENaC at the apical plasma membrane and elevated cytosolic cAMP levels. The effects of PGE₂ and vasopressin were nonadditive, indicating similar signaling cascades. Exposing mCCD_cl1 cells to aldosterone caused a much slower (∼2 h) increase of the amiloride-sensitive I_SC. Interestingly, the rapid effect of PGE₂ was preserved even after aldosterone stimulation. Furthermore, application of arachidonic acid also increased the amiloride-sensitive I_SC involving basolateral EP₄ receptors. Exposure to arachidonic acid resulted in elevated PGE₂ in the basolateral medium in a cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1)–dependent manner. These data suggest that in the cortical collecting duct, locally produced and secreted PGE₂ can stimulate ENaC-mediated transepithelial sodium transport.

Effects of cytochrome P-450 metabolites of arachidonic acid on the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC)

Sodium reabsorption via the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) in the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron plays a central role in the regulation of body fluid volume. Previous studies have indicated that arachidonic acid (AA) and its metabolite 11,12-EET but not other regioisomers of EETs inhibit ENaC activity in the collecting duct. The goal of this study was to investigate the endogenous metabolism of AA in cultured mpkCCD(c14) principal cells and the effects of these metabolites on ENaC activity. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of the mpkCCD(c14) cells indicated that these cells produce prostaglandins, 8,9-EET, 11,12-EET, 14,15-EET, 5-HETE, 12/8-HETE, and 15-HETE, but not 20-HETE. Single-channel patch-clamp experiments revealed that 8,9-EET, 14,15-EET, and 11,12-EET all decrease ENaC activity. Neither 5-, 12-, nor 15-HETE had any effect on ENaC activity. Diclofenac and ibuprofen, inhibitors of cyclooxygenase, decreased transepithelial Na(+) transport in the mpkCCD(c14) cells. Inhibition of cytochrome P-450 (CYP450) with MS-PPOH activated ENaC-mediated sodium transport when cells were pretreated with AA and diclofenac. Coexpression of CYP2C8, but not CYP4A10, with ENaC in Chinese hamster ovary cells significantly decreased ENaC activity in whole-cell experiments, whereas 11,12-EET mimicked this effect. Thus both endogenously formed EETs and their exogenous application decrease ENaC activity. Downregulation of ENaC activity by overexpression of CYP2C8 was PKA dependent and was prevented by myristoylated PKI treatment. Biotinylation experiments and single-channel analysis revealed that long-term treatment with 11,12-EET and overexpression of CYP2C8 decreased the number of channels in the membrane. In contrast, the acute inhibitory effects are mediated by a decrease in the open probability of the ENaC. We conclude that 11,12-EET, 8,9-EET, and 14,15-EET are endogenously formed eicosanoids that modulate ENaC activity in the collecting duct.

Effects of lipids on ENaC activity in cultured mouse cortical collecting duct cells

Direct effects on epithelial Na+ channels (ENaC) activity by lipids, e.g., arachidonic acid (AA), eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), linoleic acid (LA), stearic acid (SA), hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE), 11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET), (PGF2), and (PGE2), in cultured mouse cortical collecting duct (M1) cells were clarified by using single-channel recordings in this study. In a cell-attached recording, a bath application of 10 microM AA significantly reduced the ENaC open probability (NPo), whereas 10 microM ETYA or 5 microM LA only induced a slight inhibition. The inside-out recording as a standard protocol was thereafter performed to examine effects of these lipids on ENaC activity. Within 10 min after the formation of the inside-out configuration, the NPo of ENaC in cultured mouse cortical collecting duct (M1) cells remained relatively constant. Application of ETYA or LA or SA exhibited a similar inhibition on the channel NPo when applied to the extracellular side, suggesting that fatty acids could exert a nonspecific inhibition on ENaC activity. 11,12-EET, a metabolite of AA via the cytochrome P450 epoxygenase pathway, significantly inhibited the ENaC NPo, whereas 20-HETE, a metabolite of AA via the hydroxylase pathway, only caused a small inhibition of the ENaC NPo, to a similar degree as that seen with ETYA and LA. However, both PGE2 and PGF2alpha significantly enhanced the ENaC NPo. These results suggest that fatty acids exert a nonspecific effect on ENaC activity due to the interaction between the channel proximity and the lipid. The opposite effects of 11,12-EET and prostaglandin (PG) implicate different mechanisms in regulation of ENaC activity by activation of epoxygenase and cyclooxygenase.

Regulation of the epithelial sodium channel by membrane trafficking

The epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) is a major regulator of salt and water reabsorption in a number of epithelial tissues. Abnormalities in ENaC function have been directly linked to several human disease states including Liddle's syndrome, psuedohypoaldosteronism, and cystic fibrosis and may be implicated in states as diverse as salt-sensitive hypertension, nephrosis, and pulmonary edema. ENaC activity in epithelial cells is highly regulated both by open probability and number of channels. Open probability is regulated by a number of factors, including proteolytic processing, while ENaC number is regulated by cellular trafficking. This review discusses current understanding of apical membrane delivery, cell surface stability, endocytosis, retrieval, and recycling of ENaC and the molecular partners that have so far been shown to participate in these processes. We review known sites and mechanisms of hormonal regulation of trafficking by aldosterone, vasopressin, and insulin. While many details of the regulation of ENaC trafficking remain to be elucidated, knowledge of these mechanisms may provide further insights into ENaC activity in normal and disease states.

Changes in ion transport in inflammatory disease

Ion transport is essential for maintenance of transmembranous and transcellular electric potential, fluid transport and cellular volume. Disturbance of ion transport has been associated with cellular dysfunction, intra and extracellular edema and abnormalities of epithelial surface liquid volume. There is increasing evidence that conditions characterized by an intense local or systemic inflammatory response are associated with abnormal ion transport. This abnormal ion transport has been involved in the pathogenesis of conditions like hypovolemia due to fluid losses, hyponatremia and hypokalemia in diarrhoeal diseases, electrolyte abnormalities in pyelonephritis of early infancy, septicemia induced pulmonary edema, and in hypersecretion and edema induced by inflammatory reactions of the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract. Components of membranous ion transport systems, which have been shown to undergo a change in function during an inflammatory response include the sodium potassium ATPase, the epithelial sodium channel, the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator and calcium activated chloride channels and the sodium potassium chloride co-transporter. Inflammatory mediators, which influence ion transport are tumor necrosis factor, gamma interferon, interleukins, transforming growth factor, leukotrienes and bradykinin. They trigger the release of specific messengers like prostaglandins, nitric oxide and histamine which alter ion transport system function through specific receptors, intracellular second messengers and protein kinases. This review summarizes data on in vivo measurements of changes in ion transport in acute inflammatory conditions and in vitro studies, which have explored the underlying mechanisms. Potential interventions directed at a correction of the observed abnormalities are discussed.

PGE2 stimulates Cl- secretion in murine M-1 cortical collecting duct cells in an autocrine manner

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is thought to be an important modulator of renal ion and water transport, but its effects remain complex and incompletely understood. Here we examined the effects of PGE2 on transepithelial ion transport of M-1 mouse cortical collecting duct cells using short-circuit current (ISC) measurements. Basolateral addition of PGE2 (1 microM) produced a transient peak increase in ISC of 6.3+/-0.8 microA cm(-2) (n=11), followed by a sustained plateau. The PGE2-evoked response was preserved in the presence of 100 micro M apical amiloride with an average peak increase of 10.6+/-1.0 microA cm(-2) (n=23). However, it was greatly diminished in both the presence of apical diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid (DPC, 1 mM) and the absence of extracellular Cl-, indicating that Cl- secretion had been stimulated. Basolateral PGE2 induced a concentration dependent response, with an EC50 of about 8 nM. Apical addition of PGE2 elicited an ISC response similar to that observed with basolateral PGE2. Furthermore, apical exposure to arachidonic acid (AA) produced a similar increase in ISC, which could be prevented by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, while AA failed to exert an additional effect in the presence of PGE2. Using RT-PCR, we confirmed the expression of the PGE2 (EP) receptor subtypes EP1, EP3 and EP4 but not of EP2 in cultured M-1 CCD cells. We conclude that M-1 cells express functional cyclooxygenase activity and can generate PGE2 which acts in an autocrine manner, causing Cl- secretion.

Prostaglandin E2 stimulates sodium reabsorption in MDCK C7 cells, a renal collecting duct principal cell model

We examined the direct epithelial effects of the major product of arachidonic acid metabolism in the kidney, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), on ion transport and signal transduction in the hormone-sensitive Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) C7 subclone as a model of renal collecting duct principal cells. MDCK C7 cells were grown on microporous permeable filter supports and mounted in Ussing-type chambers. Reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR and sequencing were used to determine E-prostanoid (EP) receptor expression. Basolateral and, about 14-fold less potent, apical addition of PGE(2) increased short-circuit current (I(sc)) in a concentration-dependent manner. This ion transport was biphasic with a rapid peak not detectable under chloride-free conditions. The remaining, stably elevated current was unaffected by furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, ethylisopropanol amiloride, and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenyl-propyl-amino)benzoic acid (NPPB). In contrast, apical amiloride (10 microM) significantly decreased I(sc), indicating sodium reabsorption. The effect of PGE(2) was attenuated in the presence of vasopressin. Agonists acting by cAMP elevation like dibutyryl-cAMP and theophylline also induced an amiloride-sensitive ion transport with similar kinetics as PGE(2). Moreover, PGE(2) rapidly increased intracellular cAMP levels. RT-PCR demonstrated mRNA expression of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), and of the EP2 receptor in MDCK C7 cells. Accordingly, EP2 receptor agonist butaprost mimicked PGE(2) epithelial action. In conclusion, PGE(2) induces amiloride-sensitive sodium reabsorption in MDCK C7 monolayers. This ion transport is most likely mediated by EP2 receptor activation leading to increased intracellular cAMP levels. Therefore, PGE(2) might also contribute to Na(+) reabsorption in the mammalian collecting duct.

Prostaglandin E2 induces upregulation of Na+ transport across Xenopus lung epithelium

The apical mucus on pulmonary epithelia is not only critical for physiological functions such as gas exchange or inflammatory processes, but also contains surfactants and multiple molecules that mediate cellular responses. A tight control of transepithelial ion transport maintains viscosity of this layer and, e.g., the amiloride-sensitive sodium channels (ENaCs) in lung epithelia of vertebrates are the most important regulatory sites for transcellular sodium uptake. Dysfunction of this sodium transport results in reduced liquid absorption and causes massive problems with gas exchange. We used dissected lungs of Xenopus laevis in Ussing chambers to investigate the influence of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on the regulation of short-circuit current (ISC) and amiloride-sensitive sodium absorption (Iami). Apical application of PGE2 (1 microM) increased ISC by 38% and Iami by approximately 60%. In contrast, a different prostaglandin, PGI2, neither affected ISC nor Iami. Forskolin increased current to a similar magnitude and preincubation of the lung with an RP-isomer of cyclic AMP, an inhibitor of protein kinase A (PKA), abolished the effects of both PGE2 and forskolin. Transepithelial Na+ uptake was also upregulated by the prostaglandin receptor agonists misoprostol and sulprostone. The Iami in Xenopus oocytes that heterologously expressed ENaCs was not affected by PGE2.

UTP-dependent inhibition of Na+ absorption requires activation of PKC in endometrial epithelial cells

The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism of uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP)-dependent inhibition of Na(+) absorption in porcine endometrial epithelial cells. Acute stimulation with UTP (5 microM) produced inhibition of sodium absorption and stimulation of chloride secretion. Experiments using basolateral membrane-permeabilized cell monolayers demonstrated a reduction in benzamil-sensitive Na(+) conductance in the apical membrane after UTP stimulation. The UTP-dependent inhibition of sodium transport could be mimicked by PMA (1 microM). Several PKC inhibitors, including GF109203X and Gö6983 (both nonselective PKC inhibitors) and rottlerin (a PKCdelta selective inhibitor), were shown to prevent the UTP-dependent decrease in benzamil-sensitive current. The PKCalpha-selective inhibitors, Gö6976 and PKC inhibitor 20-28, produced a partial inhibition of the UTP effect on benzamil-sensitive Isc. Inhibition of the benzamil-sensitive Isc by UTP was observed in the presence of BAPTA-AM (50 microM), confirming that activation of PKCs, and not increases in [Ca(2+)](i), were directly responsible for the inhibition of apical Na(+) channels and transepithelial Na(+) absorption.

PGE(2) activation of apical membrane Cl(-) channels in A6 epithelia: impedance analysis

Measurements of transepithelial electrical impedance of continuously short-circuited A6 epithelia were made at audio frequencies (0.244 Hz to 10.45 kHz) to investigate the time course and extent to which prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) modulates Cl(-) transport and apical membrane capacitance in this cell-cultured model epithelium. Apical and basolateral membrane resistances were determined by nonlinear curve-fitting of the impedance vectors at relatively low frequencies (<50 Hz) to equations (Păunescu, T. G., and S. I. Helman. 2001. Biophys. J. 81:838--851) where depressed Nyquist impedance semicircles were characteristic of the membrane impedances under control Na(+)-transporting and amiloride-inhibited conditions. In all tissues (control, amiloride-blocked, and amiloride-blocked and furosemide-pretreated), PGE(2) caused relatively small (< approximately 3 microA/cm(2)) and rapid (<60 s) maximal increase of chloride current due to activation of a rather large increase of apical membrane conductance that preceded significant activation of Na(+) transport through amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na(+) channels (ENaCs). Apical membrane capacitance was frequency-dependent with a Cole-Cole dielectric dispersion whose relaxation frequency was near 150 Hz. Analysis of the time-dependent changes of the complex frequency-dependent equivalent capacitance of the cells at frequencies >1.5 kHz revealed that the mean 9.8% increase of capacitance caused by PGE(2) was not correlated in time with activation of chloride conductance, but rather correlated with activation of apical membrane Na(+) transport.

Contrasting effects of cPLA2 on epithelial Na+ transport

Activity of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) is the limiting step for discretionary Na+ reabsorption in the cortical collecting duct. Xenopus laevis kidney A6 cells were used to investigate the effects of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) activity on Na+ transport. Application of aristolochic acid, a cPLA2 inhibitor, to the apical membrane of monolayers produced a decrease in apical [3H]arachidonic acid (AA) release and led to an approximate twofold increase in transepithelial Na+ current. Increased current was abolished by the nonmetabolized AA analog 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), suggesting that AA, rather than one of its metabolic products, affected current. In single channel studies, ETYA produced a decrease in ENaC open probability. This suggests that cPLA2 is tonically active in A6 cells and that the end effect of liberated AA at the apical membrane is to reduce Na+ transport via actions on ENaC. In contrast, aristolochic acid applied basolaterally inhibited current, and the effect was not reversed by ETYA. Basolateral application of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor ibuprofen also inhibited current. Both effects were reversed by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). This suggests that cPLA2 activity and free AA, which is metabolized to PGE2, are necessary to support transport. This study supports the fine-tuning of Na+ transport and reabsorption through the regulation of free AA and AA metabolism.

Functional domains within the degenerin/epithelial sodium channel (Deg/ENaC) superfamily of ion channels

Application of recombinant DNA technology and electrophysiology to the study of amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels has resulted in an enormous increase in the understanding of the structure-function relationships of these channels. Moreover, this knowledge has permitted the elucidation of the physiological roles of these ion channels in cellular processes as diverse as transepithelial salt and water movement, taste perception, volume regulation, nociception, neuronal function, mechanosensation, and even defaecation. Although members of this ever-growing superfamily of ion channels (the Deg/ENaC superfamily) share little amino acid identity, they are all organized similarly, namely, two short N- and C-termini, two short membrane-spanning segments, and a very large extracellular loop domain. In this brief Topical Review, we discuss the structural features of each domain of this Deg/ENaC superfamily and, using ENaC as a model, show how each domain relates to overall channel function.

UTP inhibits Na+ absorption in wild-type and DeltaF508 CFTR-expressing human bronchial epithelia

Ca2+-mediated agonists, including UTP, are being developed for therapeutic use in cystic fibrosis (CF) based on their ability to modulate alternative Cl- conductances. As CF is also characterized by hyperabsorption of Na+, we determined the effect of mucosal UTP on transepithelial Na+ transport in primary cultures of human bronchial epithelia (HBE). In symmetrical NaCl, UTP induced an initial increase in short-circuit current (Isc) followed by a sustained inhibition. To differentiate between effects on Na+ absorption and Cl- secretion, Isc was measured in the absence of mucosal and serosal Cl- (INa). Again, mucosal UTP induced an initial increase and then a sustained decrease that reduced amiloride-sensitive INa by 73%. The Ca2+-dependent agonists histamine, bradykinin, serosal UTP, and thapsigargin similarly induced sustained inhibition (62-84%) of INa. Mucosal UTP induced similar sustained inhibition (half-maximal inhibitory concentration 296 nM) of INa in primary cultures of human CF airway homozygous for the DeltaF508 mutation. BAPTA-AM blunted UTP-dependent inhibition of INa, but inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and phospholipase A2 had no effect. Indeed, direct activation of PKC by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate failed to inhibit Na+ absorption. Apyrase, a tri- and diphosphatase, did not reverse inhibitory effects of UTP on INa, suggesting a long-term inhibitory effect of UTP that is independent of receptor occupancy. After establishment of a mucosa-to-serosa K+ concentration gradient and permeabilization of the mucosal membrane with nystatin, mucosal UTP induced an initial increase in K+ current followed by a sustained inhibition. We conclude that increasing cellular Ca2+ induces a long-term inhibition of transepithelial Na+ transport across normal and CF HBE at least partly due to downregulation of a basolateral membrane K+ conductance. Thus UTP may have a dual therapeutic effect in CF airway: 1) stimulation of a Cl- secretory response and 2) inhibition of Na+ transport.

Nitric oxide inhibits lung sodium transport through a cGMP-mediated inhibition of epithelial cation channels

We used the patch-clamp technique to study the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on a cation channel in rat type II pneumocytes [alveolar type II (AT II) cells]. Single-channel recordings from the apical surface of AT II cells in primary culture showed a predominant cation channel with a conductance of 20.6 +/- 1.1 (SE) pS (n = 9 cell-attached patches) and Na(+)-to-K+ selectivity of 0.97 +/- 0.07 (n = 7 cell-attached patches). An NO donor, S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO; 100 microM), inhibited the basal cation-channel activity by 43% [open probability (Po), control 0.28 +/- 0.05 vs. GSNO 0.16 +/- 0.03; P < 0.001; n = 16 cell-attached patches], with no significant change in the conductance. GSNO reduced the Po by reducing channel mean open and increasing mean closed times. GSNO inhibition was reversed by washout. The inhibitory effect of NO was confirmed by using a second donor of NO, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (100 microM; Po, control 0.53 +/- 0.05 vs. S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine 0.31 +/- 0.04; -42%; P < 0.05; n = 5 cell-attached patches). The GSNO effect was blocked by methylene blue (a blocker of guanylyl cyclase; 100 microM), suggesting a role for cGMP. The permeable analog of cGMP, 8-bromo-cGMP (8-BrcGMP; 1 mM), inhibited the cation channel in a manner similar to GSNO (Po, control 0.38 +/- 0.06 vs. 8-BrcGMP 0.09 +/- 0.02; P < 0.05; n = 7 cell-attached patches). Pretreatment of cells with 1 microM KT-5823 (a blocker of protein kinase G) abolished the inhibitory effect of GSNO. The NO inhibition of channels was not due to changes in cell viability. Intracellular cGMP was found to be elevated in AT II cells treated with NO (control 13.4 +/- 3.6 vs. GSNO 25.4 +/- 4.1 fmol/ml; P < 0.05; n = 6 cell-attached patches). We conclude that NO suppresses the activity of an Na(+)-permeant cation channel on the apical surface of AT II cells. This action appears to be mediated by a cGMP-dependent protein kinase.

In vivo phosphorylation of the epithelial sodium channel

The activity of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in the distal nephron is regulated by an antidiuretic hormone, aldosterone, and insulin, but the molecular mechanisms that mediate these hormonal effects are mostly unknown. We have investigated whether aldosterone, insulin, or activation of protein kinases has an effect on the phosphorylation of the channel. Experiments were performed in an epithelial cell line generated by stable cotransfection of the three subunits (alpha, beta, and gamma) of ENaC. We found that beta and gamma, but not the alpha subunit, are phosphorylated in the basal state. Aldosterone, insulin, and protein kinases A and C increased phosphorylation of the beta and gamma subunits in their carboxyl termini, but none of these agents induced de novo phosphorylation of alpha subunits. Serines and threonines but not tyrosines were found to be phosphorylated. The results suggest that aldosterone, insulin, and protein kinases A and C modulate the activity of ENaC by phosphorylation of the carboxyl termini of the beta and gamma subunits.

Expression of the cystic fibrosis phenotype in a renal amphibian epithelial cell line

Mutations in a Cl- channel (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator or CFTR) are responsible for the cystic fibrosis (CF) phenotype. Increased Na+ transport rates are observed in CF airway epithelium, and recent studies suggest that this is due to an increase in Na+ channel open probability (Po). The Xenopus renal epithelial cell line, A6, expresses both cAMP-activated 8-picosiemen (pS) Cl- channels and amiloride-sensitive 4-pS Na+ channels, and provides a model system for examining the interactions of CFTR and epithelial Na+ channels. A6 cells express CFTR mRNA, as demonstrated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and partial sequence analysis. A phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotide, complementary to the 5' end of the open reading frame of Xenopus CFTR, was used to inhibit functional expression of CFTR in A6 cells. Parallel studies utilized the corresponding sense oligonucleotide as a control. CFTR protein expression was markedly reduced in cells incubated with the antisense oligonucleotide. Incubation of A6 cells with the antisense oligonucleotide led to inhibition of forskolin-activated amiloride-insensitive short circuit current (Isc). After a 30-min exposure to 10 microM forskolin, 8-pS Cl- channel activity was detected in only 1 of 31 (3%) cell-attached patches on cells treated with antisense oligonucleotide, compared to 5 of 19 (26%) patches from control cells. A shift in the single-channel current-voltage relationship derived from antisense-treated cells was also consistent with a reduction in Cl- reabsorption. Both amiloride-sensitive Isc and Na+ channel Po were significantly increased in antisense-treated, forskolin-stimulated A6 cells, when compared with forskolin-stimulated controls. These data suggest that the regulation of Na+ channels by CFTR is not limited to respiratory epithelia and to epithelial cells in culture overexpressing CFTR and epithelial Na+ channels.

Antikaliuretic action of trimethoprim is minimized by raising urine pH

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that the antikaliuresis caused by trimethoprim could be diminished by alkalinizing the luminal fluid in the CCD, thereby converting trimethoprim from its cationic, active form to an electroneutral, inactive, form. Trimethoprim-induced inhibition of transepithelial Na+ transport was examined in A6 distal nephron cells by analysis of short circuit current. The voltage-dependence of the trimethoprim-induced block of Na+ channels was examined with patch clamp recordings of A6 cells. The antikaliuretic effect of trimethoprim was examined in vivo in rats pretreated with deoxycorticosterone and with NH4Cl to lower urine pH, and in rats also receiving acetazolamide to raise urine pH. We found that the concentration of trimethoprim required to inhibit the amiloride sensitive component of short circuit current by 50% (IC50) was 340 microM (at pH 8.2) and 50 microM (at pH 6.3). The IC50S of protonated trimethoprim were similar (34 microM at pH 8.2 and 45 microM at pH 6.3). The mean time open for the high selectivity, Na+ channel was reduced from 1679 +/- 387 msec to 502 +/- 98 msec with addition of 10-5 M trimethoprim to patch pipette solution at the resting membrane potential (-Vpipette = 0 mV). further decreases in mean time open were observed as -Vpipette was reduced (that is, apical membrane hyperpolarization) to -40 mV (mean time open = 217 +/- 85 msec) and to -80 mV (mean time open = 69 +/- 13 msec). In vivo, trimethoprim caused a > 50% reduction in potassium (K+) excretion due primarily to a fall in the [K+] in the lumen of the terminal CCD. This effect of trimethoprim was markedly attenuated in an alkaline urine induced by acetazolamide. We conclude that it is the charged, protonated species of trimethoprim which blocks epithelial Na+ channels. Increasing urinary pH decreases the concentration of the charged species of trimethoprim and minimizes its antikaliuretic effect.