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Holmberg SR, Sakamoto Y, Kato A, Romero MF. The role of Na +-coupled bicarbonate transporters (NCBT) in health and disease. Pflugers Arch 2024; 476:479-503. [PMID: 38536494 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-024-02937-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Cellular and organism survival depends upon the regulation of pH, which is regulated by highly specialized cell membrane transporters, the solute carriers (SLC) (For a comprehensive list of the solute carrier family members, see: https://www.bioparadigms.org/slc/ ). The SLC4 family of bicarbonate (HCO3-) transporters consists of ten members, sorted by their coupling to either sodium (NBCe1, NBCe2, NBCn1, NBCn2, NDCBE), chloride (AE1, AE2, AE3), or borate (BTR1). The ionic coupling of SLC4A9 (AE4) remains controversial. These SLC4 bicarbonate transporters may be controlled by cellular ionic gradients, cellular membrane voltage, and signaling molecules to maintain critical cellular and systemic pH (acid-base) balance. There are profound consequences when blood pH deviates even a small amount outside the normal range (7.35-7.45). Chiefly, Na+-coupled bicarbonate transporters (NCBT) control intracellular pH in nearly every living cell, maintaining the biological pH required for life. Additionally, NCBTs have important roles to regulate cell volume and maintain salt balance as well as absorption and secretion of acid-base equivalents. Due to their varied tissue expression, NCBTs have roles in pathophysiology, which become apparent in physiologic responses when their expression is reduced or genetically deleted. Variations in physiological pH are seen in a wide variety of conditions, from canonically acid-base related conditions to pathologies not necessarily associated with acid-base dysfunction such as cancer, glaucoma, or various neurological diseases. The membranous location of the SLC4 transporters as well as recent advances in discovering their structural biology makes them accessible and attractive as a druggable target in a disease context. The role of sodium-coupled bicarbonate transporters in such a large array of conditions illustrates the potential of treating a wide range of disease states by modifying function of these transporters, whether that be through inhibition or enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon R Holmberg
- Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Yohei Sakamoto
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Midori-Ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Akira Kato
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Midori-Ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Michael F Romero
- Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
- Nephrology & Hypertension, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA.
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2
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Brady CT, Marshall A, Zhang C, Parker MD. NBCe1-B/C-knockout mice exhibit an impaired respiratory response and an enhanced renal response to metabolic acidosis. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1201034. [PMID: 37405134 PMCID: PMC10315466 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1201034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The sodium-bicarbonate cotransporter (NBCe1) has three primary variants: NBCe1-A, -B and -C. NBCe1-A is expressed in renal proximal tubules in the cortical labyrinth, where it is essential for reclaiming filtered bicarbonate, such that NBCe1-A knockout mice are congenitally acidemic. NBCe1-B and -C variants are expressed in chemosensitive regions of the brainstem, while NBCe1-B is also expressed in renal proximal tubules located in the outer medulla. Although mice lacking NBCe1-B/C (KOb/c) exhibit a normal plasma pH at baseline, the distribution of NBCe1-B/C indicates that these variants could play a role in both the rapid respiratory and slower renal responses to metabolic acidosis (MAc). Therefore, in this study we used an integrative physiologic approach to investigate the response of KOb/c mice to MAc. By means of unanesthetized whole-body plethysmography and blood-gas analysis, we demonstrate that the respiratory response to MAc (increase in minute volume, decrease in pCO2) is impaired in KOb/c mice leading to a greater severity of acidemia after 1 day of MAc. Despite this respiratory impairment, the recovery of plasma pH after 3-days of MAc remained intact in KOb/c mice. Using data gathered from mice housed in metabolic cages we demonstrate a greater elevation of renal ammonium excretion and greater downregulation of the ammonia recycling enzyme glutamine synthetase in KOb/c mice on day 2 of MAc, consistent with greater renal acid-excretion. We conclude that KOb/c mice are ultimately able to defend plasma pH during MAc, but that the integrated response is disturbed such that the burden of work shifts from the respiratory system to the kidneys, delaying the recovery of pH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clayton T. Brady
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, The State University of New York: The University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Aniko Marshall
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, The State University of New York: The University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Chen Zhang
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, The State University of New York: The University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, The State University of New York: The University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Mark D. Parker
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, The State University of New York: The University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, The State University of New York: The University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
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3
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Harris AN, Skankar M, Melanmed M, Batlle D. An Update on Kidney Ammonium Transport Along the Nephron. ADVANCES IN KIDNEY DISEASE AND HEALTH 2023; 30:189-196. [PMID: 36868733 DOI: 10.1053/j.akdh.2022.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Acid-base homeostasis is critical to the maintenance of normal health. The kidneys have a central role in bicarbonate generation, which occurs through the process of net acid excretion. Renal ammonia excretion is the predominant component of renal net acid excretion under basal conditions and in response to acid-base disturbances. Ammonia produced in the kidney is selectively transported into the urine or the renal vein. The amount of ammonia produced by the kidney that is excreted in the urine varies dramatically in response to physiological stimuli. Recent studies have advanced our understanding of ammonia metabolism's molecular mechanisms and regulation. Ammonia transport has been advanced by recognizing that the specific transport of NH3 and NH4+ by specific membrane proteins is critical to ammonia transport. Other studies show that proximal tubule protein, NBCe1, specifically the A variant, significantly regulates renal ammonia metabolism. This review discusses these critical aspects of the emerging features of ammonia metabolism and transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Autumn N Harris
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Science, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL; Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL.
| | - Mythri Skankar
- Department of Nephrology, Institute of Nephro-urology, Bengaluru, India
| | - Michal Melanmed
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine/ Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
| | - Daniel Batlle
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
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Verlander JW, Lee HW, Wall SM, Harris AN, Weiner ID. The proximal tubule through an NBCe1-dependent mechanism regulates collecting duct phenotypic and remodeling responses to acidosis. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2023; 324:F12-F29. [PMID: 36264886 PMCID: PMC9762982 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00175.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The renal response to acid-base disturbances involves phenotypic and remodeling changes in the collecting duct. This study examines whether the proximal tubule controls these responses. We examined mice with genetic deletion of proteins present only in the proximal tubule, either the A variant or both A and B variants of isoform 1 of the electrogenic Na+-bicarbonate cotransporter (NBCe1). Both knockout (KO) mice have spontaneous metabolic acidosis. We then determined the collecting duct phenotypic responses to this acidosis and the remodeling responses to exogenous acid loading. Despite the spontaneous acidosis in NBCe1-A KO mice, type A intercalated cells in the inner stripe of the outer medullary collecting duct (OMCDis) exhibited decreased height and reduced expression of H+-ATPase, anion exchanger 1, Rhesus B glycoprotein, and Rhesus C glycoprotein. Combined kidney-specific NBCe1-A/B deletion induced similar changes. Ultrastructural imaging showed decreased apical plasma membrane and increased vesicular H+-ATPase in OMCDis type A intercalated cell in NBCe1-A KO mice. Next, we examined the collecting duct remodeling response to acidosis. In wild-type mice, acid loading increased the proportion of type A intercalated cells in the connecting tubule (CNT) and OMCDis, and it decreased the proportion of non-A, non-B intercalated cells in the connecting tubule, and type B intercalated cells in the cortical collecting duct (CCD). These changes were absent in NBCe1-A KO mice. We conclude that the collecting duct phenotypic and remodeling responses depend on proximal tubule-dependent signaling mechanisms blocked by constitutive deletion of proximal tubule NBCe1 proteins.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study shows that the proximal tubule regulates collecting duct phenotypic and remodeling responses to acidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Susan M Wall
- Renal Division, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Autumn N Harris
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Deparment of Small Animal Clinical Science, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Gainesville Veterans Administration Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
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Liu Z, Wang Q, Zhai G, Ke S, Yu X, Guo J. SLC4A4 promotes prostate cancer progression in vivo and in vitro via AKT-mediated signalling pathway. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:127. [PMID: 35305629 PMCID: PMC8933877 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02546-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-related male deaths worldwide. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of homo sapiens solute carrier family 4 member 4 (SLC4A4), which encodes the electrogenic Na+/HCO3− cotransporter isoform 1 (NBCe1), in the development and progression of PCa.
Methods
The expression levels of SLC4A4 in PCa and normal prostate tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The SLC4A4 knockdown cell model was structured by lentiviral infection, and the knockdown efficiency was validated by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. The effects of SLC4A4 knockdown on cell proliferation, apoptosis and cycle, migration, and invasion were detected by Celigo cell counting assay and CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry analysis, wound-healing, and Transwell assay, respectively. Tumor growth in nude mice was surveyed by in vivo imaging and Ki-67 staining. Furthermore, underlying mechanism of SLC4A4 silence induced inhibition of PCa progression was explored by human phospho-kinase array.
Results
Our results revealed that SLC4A4 expression was up-regulated in PCa tissues and human PCa cell lines. High expression of SLC4A4 in tumor specimens was significantly correlated with disease progression. SLC4A4 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, while facilitated apoptosis, which was also confirmed in vivo. Moreover, SLC4A4 promoted PCa progression through the AKT-mediated signalling pathway.
Conclusion
The results of this study indicated that SLC4A4 overexpression was closely associated with the progression of PCa; SLC4A4 knockdown suppressed PCa development in vitro and in vivo. SLC4A4 acts as a tumor promotor in PCa by regulating key components of the AKT pathway and may therefore act as a potential therapeutic target for PCa treatment.
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Lee HW, Verlander JW, Shull GE, Harris AN, Weiner ID. Acid-base effects of combined renal deletion of NBCe1-A and NBCe1-B. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2022; 322:F208-F224. [PMID: 35001662 PMCID: PMC8836747 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00358.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms regulating ammonia metabolism are fundamental to acid-base homeostasis. Deletion of the A splice variant of Na+-bicarbonate cotransporter, electrogenic, isoform 1 (NBCe1-A) partially blocks the effect of acidosis to increase urinary ammonia excretion, and this appears to involve the dysregulated expression of ammoniagenic enzymes in the proximal tubule (PT) in the cortex but not in the outer medulla (OM). A second NBCe1 splice variant, NBCe1-B, is present throughout the PT, including the OM, where NBCe1-A is not present. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of combined renal deletion of NBCe1-A and NBCe1-B on systemic and PT ammonia metabolism. We generated NBCe1-A/B deletion using Cre-loxP techniques and used Cre-negative mice as controls. As renal NBCe1-A and NBCe1-B expression is limited to the PT, Cre-positive mice had PT NBCe1-A/B deletion [PT-NBCe1-A/B knockout (KO)]. Although on a basal diet, PT-NBCe1-A/B KO mice had severe metabolic acidosis, yet urinary ammonia excretion was not changed significantly. PT-NBCe1-A/B KO decreased the expression of phosphate-dependent glutaminase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and increased the expression of glutamine synthetase, an ammonia-recycling enzyme, in PTs in both the cortex and OM. Exogenous acid loading increased ammonia excretion in control mice, but PT-NBCe1-A/B KO prevented any increase. PT-NBCe1-A/B KO significantly blunted acid loading-induced changes in phosphate-dependent glutaminase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and glutamine synthetase expression in PTs in both the cortex and OM. We conclude that NBCe1-B, at least in the presence of NBCe1-A deletion, contributes to PT ammonia metabolism in the OM and thereby to systemic acid-base regulation.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The results of the present study show that combined deletion of both A and B splice variants of electrogenic Na+-bicarbonate cotransporter 1 from the proximal tubule impairs acid-base homeostasis and completely blocks changes in ammonia excretion in response to acidosis, indicating that both proteins are critical to acid-base homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Gary E Shull
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Autumn N Harris
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Deparment of Small Animal Clinical Science, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Gainesville Veterans Administration Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
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7
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Harris AN, Castro RA, Lee HW, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. Role of the renal androgen receptor in sex differences in ammonia metabolism. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2021; 321:F629-F644. [PMID: 34605272 PMCID: PMC8616601 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00260.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
There are sex differences in renal ammonia metabolism and structure, many of which are mediated by testosterone. The goal of the present study was to determine the role of renal expression of testosterone's canonical receptor, androgen receptor (AR), in these sexual dimorphisms. We studied mice with kidney-specific AR deletion [KS-AR-knockout (KO)] generated using Cre/loxP techniques; control mice were Cre-negative littermates (wild type). In male but not female mice, KS-AR-KO increased ammonia excretion, which eliminated sex differences. Although renal structural size typically parallel ammonia excretion, KS-AR-KO decreased kidney size, cortical proximal tubule volume density, and cortical proximal tubule cell height in males-neither were altered in females and collecting duct volume density was unaltered in both sexes. Analysis of key protein involved in ammonia handling showed in male mice that KS-AR-KO increased both phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter (NKCC2) expression and decreased Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3 (NHE3) and electrogenic Na+-bicarbonate cotransporter 1 (NBCe1)-A expression. In female mice, KS-AR-KO did not alter these parameters. These effects occurred even though KS-AR-KO did not alter plasma testosterone, food intake, or serum Na+, K+, or [Formula: see text] significantly in either sex. In conclusion, AR-dependent signaling pathways in male, but not female, kidneys regulate PEPCK and NKCC2 expression and lead to the sexual differences in ammonia excretion. Opposing effects on NHE3 and NBCe1-A expression likely limit the magnitude of ammonia excretion changes. As AR is not present in the thick ascending limb, the effect of KS-AR-KO on NKCC2 expression is indirect. Finally, AR mediates the greater kidney size and proximal tubule volume density in male compared with female mice.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Sexual dimorphisms in ammonia metabolism involve androgen receptor (AR)-dependent signaling pathways in male, but not female, kidneys that lead to altered proximal tubule (PT), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and thick ascending limb Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter expression. Adaptive responses in Na+/H+ exchanger 3 and electrogenic Na+-bicarbonate cotransporter 1-A expression limit the magnitude of the effect on ammonia excretion. Finally, the greater kidney size and PT volume density in male mice is the result of PT androgen signaling through AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Autumn N Harris
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Science, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Rebeca A Castro
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Science, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Gainesville Veterans Administration Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
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Silva PHI, Wiegand A, Daryadel A, Russo G, Ritter A, Gaspert A, Wüthrich RP, Wagner CA, Mohebbi N. Acidosis and alkali therapy in patients with kidney transplant is associated with transcriptional changes and altered abundance of genes involved in cell metabolism and acid-base balance. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2021; 36:1806-1820. [PMID: 34240183 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfab210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic acidosis occurs frequently in patients with kidney transplant and is associated with higher risk for and accelerated loss of graft function. To date, it is not known whether alkali therapy in these patients improves kidney function and whether acidosis and its therapy is associated with altered expression of proteins involved in renal acid-base metabolism. METHODS We collected retrospectively kidney biopsies from 22 patients. Of these patients, 9 had no acidosis, 9 had metabolic acidosis (plasma HCO3- < 22 mmol/l), and 4 had acidosis and received alkali therapy. We performed transcriptome analysis and immunohistochemistry for proteins involved in renal acid-base handling. RESULTS We found the expression of 40 transcripts significantly changed between kidneys from non-acidotic and acidotic patients. These genes are mostly involved in proximal tubule amino acid and lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. Three transcripts were fully recovered by alkali therapy: the Kir4.2 K+-channel, an important regulator of proximal tubule HCO3--metabolism and transport, ACADSB and SHMT1, genes involved in beta-oxidation and methionine metabolism. Immunohistochemistry showed reduced staining for the proximal tubule NBCe1 HCO3- transporter in kidneys from acidotic patients that recovered with alkali therapy. In addition, the HCO3-exchanger pendrin was affected by acidosis and alkali therapy. CONCLUSIONS Metabolic acidosis in kidney transplant recipients is associated with alterations in the renal transcriptome that are partly restored by alkali therapy. Acid-base transport proteins mostly from proximal tubule were also affected by acidosis and alkali therapy suggesting that the downregulation of critical players contributes to metabolic acidosis in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro H Imenez Silva
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,National Center of Competence in Research NCCR Kidney.CH, Switzerland
| | - Anna Wiegand
- Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Arezoo Daryadel
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,National Center of Competence in Research NCCR Kidney.CH, Switzerland
| | - Giancarlo Russo
- Functional Genomics Center Zürich, University of Zürich and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Ritter
- Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ariana Gaspert
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rudolf P Wüthrich
- Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Carsten A Wagner
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,National Center of Competence in Research NCCR Kidney.CH, Switzerland
| | - Nilufar Mohebbi
- Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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The electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter and its roles in the myocardial ischemia-reperfusion induced cardiac diseases. Life Sci 2021; 270:119153. [PMID: 33539911 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac tissue ischemia/hypoxia increases glycolysis and lactic acid accumulation in cardiomyocytes, leading to intracellular metabolic acidosis. Sodium bicarbonate cotransporters (NBCs) play a vital role in modulating intracellular pH and maintaining sodium ion concentrations in cardiomyocytes. Cardiomyocytes mainly express electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter (NBCe1), which has been demonstrated to participate in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. This review outlines the structural and functional properties of NBCe1, summarizes the signaling pathways and factors that may regulate the activity of NBCe1, and reviews the roles of NBCe1 in the pathogenesis of I/R-induced cardiac diseases. Further studies revealing the regulatory mechanisms of NBCe1 activity should provide novel therapeutic targets for preventing I/R-induced cardiac diseases.
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10
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Colmenares Aguilar MG, Mazzone A, Eisenman ST, Strege PR, Bernard CE, Holmes HL, Romero MF, Farrugia G, Gibbons SJ. Expression of the regulated isoform of the electrogenic Na +/HCO 3- cotransporter, NBCe1, is enriched in pacemaker interstitial cells of Cajal. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 320:G93-G107. [PMID: 33112159 PMCID: PMC8112189 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00255.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) generate electrical slow waves, which are required for normal gastrointestinal motility. The mechanisms for generation of normal pacemaking are not fully understood. Normal gastrointestinal contractility- and electrical slow-wave activity depend on the presence of extracellular HCO3-. Previous transcriptional analysis identified enrichment of mRNA encoding the electrogenic Na+/HCO3- cotransporter (NBCe1) gene (Slc4a4) in pacemaker myenteric ICCs in mouse small intestine. We aimed to determine the distribution of NBCe1 protein in ICCs of the mouse gastrointestinal tract and to identify the transcripts of the Slc4a4 gene in mouse and human small intestinal tunica muscularis. We determined the distribution of NBCe1 immunoreactivity (NBCe1-IR) by immunofluorescent labeling in mouse and human tissues. In mice, NBCe1-IR was restricted to Kit-positive myenteric ICCs of the stomach and small intestine and submuscular ICCs of the large intestine, that is, the slow wave generating subset of ICCs. Other subtypes of ICCs were NBCe1-negative. Quantitative real-time PCR identified >500-fold enrichment of Slc4a4-207 and Slc4a4-208 transcripts ["IP3-receptor-binding protein released by IP3" (IRBIT)-regulated isoforms] in Kit-expressing cells isolated from KitcreERT2/+, Rpl22tm1.1Psam/Sj mice and from single GFP-positive ICCs from Kittm1Rosay mice. Human jejunal tunica muscularis ICCs were also NBCe1-positive, and SLC4A4-201 and SLC4A4-204 RNAs were >300-fold enriched relative to SLC4A4-202. In summary, NBCe1 protein expressed in ICCs with electrical pacemaker function is encoded by Slc4a4 gene transcripts that generate IRBIT-regulated isoforms of NBCe1. In conclusion, Na+/HCO3- cotransport through NBCe1 contributes to the generation of pacemaker activity in subsets of ICCs.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this study, we show that the electrogenic Na+/HCO3- cotransporter, NBCe1/Slc4a4, is expressed in subtypes of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) responsible for electrical slow wave generation throughout the mouse gastrointestinal tract and is absent in other types of ICCs. The transcripts of Slc4a4 expressed in mouse ICCs and human gastrointestinal smooth muscle are the regulated isoforms. This indicates a key role for HCO3- transport in generation of gastrointestinal motility patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amelia Mazzone
- 1Enteric NeuroScience Program, Division of
Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic,
Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Seth T. Eisenman
- 1Enteric NeuroScience Program, Division of
Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic,
Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Peter R. Strege
- 1Enteric NeuroScience Program, Division of
Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic,
Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Cheryl E. Bernard
- 1Enteric NeuroScience Program, Division of
Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic,
Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Heather L. Holmes
- 2Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Nephrology and
Hypertension, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and
Science, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Michael F. Romero
- 2Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Nephrology and
Hypertension, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and
Science, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Gianrico Farrugia
- 1Enteric NeuroScience Program, Division of
Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic,
Rochester, Minnesota,3Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering,
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Simon J. Gibbons
- 1Enteric NeuroScience Program, Division of
Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic,
Rochester, Minnesota
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11
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Weiner ID, Verlander JW. Emerging Features of Ammonia Metabolism and Transport in Acid-Base Balance. Semin Nephrol 2020; 39:394-405. [PMID: 31300094 DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2019.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ammonia metabolism has a critical role in acid-base homeostasis and in other cellular functions. Kidneys have a central role in bicarbonate generation, which occurs through the process of net acid excretion; ammonia metabolism is the quantitatively greatest component of net acid excretion, both under basal conditions and in response to acid-base disturbances. Several recent studies have advanced our understanding substantially of the molecular mechanisms and regulation of ammonia metabolism. First, the previous paradigm that ammonia transport could be explained by passive NH3 diffusion and NH4+ trapping has been advanced by the recognition that specific transport of NH3 and of NH4+ by specific membrane proteins is critical to ammonia transport. Second, significant advances have been made in the understanding of the regulation of ammonia metabolism. Novel studies have shown that hyperkalemia directly inhibits ammonia metabolism, thereby leading to the metabolic acidosis present in type IV renal tubular acidosis. Other studies have shown that the proximal tubule protein NBCe1, specifically the A variant NBCe1-A, has a major role in regulating renal ammonia metabolism. Third, there are important sex differences in ammonia metabolism that involve structural and functional differences in the kidney. This review addresses these important aspects of ammonia metabolism and transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL; Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Gainesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, FL.
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
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Lee HW, Harris AN, Romero MF, Welling PA, Wingo CS, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. NBCe1-A is required for the renal ammonia and K + response to hypokalemia. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2019; 318:F402-F421. [PMID: 31841393 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00481.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypokalemia increases ammonia excretion and decreases K+ excretion. The present study examined the role of the proximal tubule protein NBCe1-A in these responses. We studied mice with Na+-bicarbonate cotransporter electrogenic, isoform 1, splice variant A (NBCe1-A) deletion [knockout (KO) mice] and their wild-type (WT) littermates were provided either K+ control or K+-free diet. We also used tissue sections to determine the effect of extracellular ammonia on NaCl cotransporter (NCC) phosphorylation. The K+-free diet significantly increased proximal tubule NBCe1-A and ammonia excretion in WT mice, and NBCe1-A deletion blunted the ammonia excretion response. NBCe1-A deletion inhibited the ammoniagenic/ammonia recycling enzyme response in the cortical proximal tubule (PT), where NBCe1-A is present in WT mice. In the outer medulla, where NBCe1-A is not present, the PT ammonia metabolism response was accentuated by NBCe1-A deletion. KO mice developed more severe hypokalemia and had greater urinary K+ excretion during the K+-free diet than did WT mice. This was associated with blunting of the hypokalemia-induced change in NCC phosphorylation. NBCe1-A KO mice have systemic metabolic acidosis, but experimentally induced metabolic acidosis did not alter NCC phosphorylation. Although KO mice have impaired ammonia metabolism, experiments in tissue sections showed that lack of ammonia does impair NCC phosphorylation. Finally, urinary aldosterone was greater in KO mice than in WT mice, but neither expression of epithelial Na+ channel α-, β-, and γ-subunits nor of H+-K+-ATPase α1- or α2-subunits correlated with changes in urinary K+. We conclude that NBCe1-A is critical for the effect of diet-induced hypokalemia to increase cortical proximal tubule ammonia generation and for the expected decrease in urinary K+ excretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Autumn N Harris
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Michael F Romero
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Paul A Welling
- Nephrology Division, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, Johns Hopkins Medical School, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Charles S Wingo
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.,Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Gainesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.,Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Gainesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
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Costa A, Schwarzenbacher H, Mészáros G, Fuerst-Waltl B, Fuerst C, Sölkner J, Penasa M. On the genomic regions associated with milk lactose in Fleckvieh cattle. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:10088-10099. [PMID: 31447150 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-16663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Lactose is a sugar uniquely found in mammals' milk and it is the major milk solid in bovines. Lactose yield (LY, kg/d) is responsible for milk volume, whereas lactose percentage (LP) is thought to be more related to epithelial integrity and thus to udder health. There is a paucity of studies that have investigated lactose at the genomic level in dairy cows. This paper aimed to improve our knowledge on LP and LY, providing new insights into the significant genomic regions affecting these traits. A genome-wide association study for LP and LY was carried out in Fleckvieh cattle by using bulls' deregressed estimated breeding values of first lactation as pseudo-phenotypes. Heritabilities of first-lactation test-day LP and LY estimated using linear animal models were 0.38 and 0.25, respectively. A total of 2,854 bulls genotyped with a 54K SNP chip were available for the genome-wide association study; a linear mixed model approach was adopted for the analysis. The significant SNP of LP were scattered across the whole genome, with signals on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 7, 12, 16, 18, 19, 20, 28, and 29; the top 4 significant SNP explained 4.90% of the LP genetic variance. The signals were mostly in regions or genes with involvement in molecular intra- or extracellular transport; for example, CDH5, RASGEF1C, ABCA6, and SLC35F3. A significant region within chromosome 20 was previously shown to affect mastitis or somatic cell score in cattle. As regards LY, the significant SNP were concentrated in fewer regions (chromosomes 6 and 14), related to mastitis/somatic cell score, immune response, and transport mechanisms. The 5 most significant SNP for LY explained 8.45% of genetic variance and more than one-quarter of this value has to be attributed to the variant within ADGRB1. Significant peaks in target regions remained even after adjustment for the 2 most significant variants previously detected on BTA6 and BTA14. The present study is a prelude for deeper investigations into the biological role of lactose for milk secretion and volume determination, stressing the connection with genes regulating intra- or extracellular trafficking and immune and inflammatory responses in dairy cows. Also, these results improve the knowledge on the relationship between lactose and udder health; they support the idea that LP and its derived traits are potential candidates as indicators of udder health in breeding programs aimed to enhance cows' resistance to mastitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Costa
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | | | - Gábor Mészáros
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Division of Livestock Sciences, Gregor Mendel-Strasse 33, A-1180 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Birgit Fuerst-Waltl
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Division of Livestock Sciences, Gregor Mendel-Strasse 33, A-1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Fuerst
- ZuchtData EDV-Dienstleistungen GmbH, Dresdner Strasse 89/19, A-1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - Johann Sölkner
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Division of Livestock Sciences, Gregor Mendel-Strasse 33, A-1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mauro Penasa
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
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Harris AN, Lee HW, Fang L, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. Differences in acidosis-stimulated renal ammonia metabolism in the male and female kidney. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2019; 317:F890-F905. [PMID: 31390234 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00244.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Renal ammonia excretion is a critical component of acid-base homeostasis, and changes in ammonia excretion are the predominant component of increased net acid excretion in response to metabolic acidosis. We recently reported substantial sex-dependent differences in basal ammonia metabolism that correlate with sex-dependent differences in renal structure and expression of key proteins involved in ammonia metabolism. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of sex on the renal ammonia response to an exogenous acid load. We studied 4-mo-old C57BL/6 mice. Ammonia excretion, which was less in male mice under basal conditions, increased in response to acid loading to a greater extent in male mice, such that maximal ammonia excretion did not differ between the sexes. Fundamental structural sex differences in the nonacid-loaded kidney persisted after acid loading, with less cortical proximal tubule volume density in the female kidney than in the male kidney, whereas collecting duct volume density was greater in the female kidney. To further investigate sex-dependent differences in the response to acid loading, we examined the expression of proteins involved in ammonia metabolism. The change in expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and Rh family B glycoprotein with acid loading was greater in male mice than in female mice, whereas Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter and inner stripe of the outer medulla intercalated cell Rh family C glycoprotein expression were significantly greater in female mice than in male mice. There was no significant sex difference in glutamine synthetase, Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3, or electrogenic Na+-bicarbonate cotransporter 1 variant A protein expression in response to acid loading. We conclude that substantial sex-dependent differences in the renal ammonia response to acid loading enable a similar maximum ammonia excretion response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Autumn N Harris
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.,Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Lijuan Fang
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.,Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Gainesville Veterans Administration Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
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15
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Osis G, Webster KL, Harris AN, Lee HW, Chen C, Fang L, Romero MF, Khattri RB, Merritt ME, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. Regulation of renal NaDC1 expression and citrate excretion by NBCe1-A. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2019; 317:F489-F501. [PMID: 31188034 PMCID: PMC6732450 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00015.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Citrate is critical for acid-base homeostasis and to prevent calcium nephrolithiasis. Both metabolic acidosis and hypokalemia decrease citrate excretion and increase expression of Na+-dicarboxylate cotransporter 1 (NaDC1; SLC13A2), the primary protein involved in citrate reabsorption. However, the mechanisms transducing extracellular signals and mediating these responses are incompletely understood. The purpose of the present study was to determine the role of the Na+-coupled electrogenic bicarbonate cotransporter (NBCe1) A variant (NBCe1-A) in citrate metabolism under basal conditions and in response to acid loading and hypokalemia. NBCe1-A deletion increased citrate excretion and decreased NaDC1 expression in the proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) and proximal straight tubules (PST) in the medullary ray (PST-MR) but not in the PST in the outer medulla (PST-OM). Acid loading wild-type (WT) mice decreased citrate excretion. NaDC1 expression increased only in the PCT and PST-MR and not in the PST-MR. In NBCe1-A knockout (KO) mice, the acid loading change in citrate excretion was unaffected, changes in PCT NaDC1 expression were blocked, and there was an adaptive increase in PST-MR. Hypokalemia in WT mice decreased citrate excretion; NaDC1 expression increased only in the PCT and PST-MR. NBCe1-A KO blocked both the citrate and NaDC1 changes. We conclude that 1) adaptive changes in NaDC1 expression in response to metabolic acidosis and hypokalemia occur specifically in the PCT and PST-MR, i.e., in cortical proximal tubule segments; 2) NBCe1-A is necessary for normal basal, metabolic acidosis and hypokalemia-stimulated citrate metabolism and does so by regulating NaDC1 expression in cortical proximal tubule segments; and 3) adaptive increases in PST-OM NaDC1 expression occur in NBCe1-A KO mice in response to acid loading that do not occur in WT mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunars Osis
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Kierstin L Webster
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Autumn N Harris
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Chao Chen
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Lijuan Fang
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Michael F Romero
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Ram B Khattri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Matthew E Merritt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Nephrology and Hypertension Section, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida
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Salerno EE, Patel SP, Marshall A, Marshall J, Alsufayan T, Mballo CSA, Quade BN, Parker MD. Extrarenal Signs of Proximal Renal Tubular Acidosis Persist in Nonacidemic Nbce1b/c-Null Mice. J Am Soc Nephrol 2019; 30:979-989. [PMID: 31040187 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2018050545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SLC4A4 gene encodes electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter 1 (NBCe1). Inheritance of recessive mutations in SLC4A4 causes proximal renal tubular acidosis (pRTA), a disease characterized by metabolic acidosis, growth retardation, ocular abnormalities, and often dental abnormalities. Mouse models of pRTA exhibit acidemia, corneal edema, weak dental enamel, impacted colons, nutritional defects, and a general failure to thrive, rarely surviving beyond weaning. Alkali therapy remains the preferred treatment for pRTA, but it is unclear which nonrenal signs are secondary to acidemia and which are a direct consequence of NBCe1 loss from nonrenal sites (such as the eye and enamel organ) and therefore require separate therapy. SLC4A4 encodes three major NBCe1 variants: NBCe1-A, NBCe1-B, and NBCe1-C. NBCe1-A is expressed in proximal tubule epithelia; its dysfunction causes the plasma bicarbonate insufficiency that underlies acidemia. NBCe1-B and NBCe1-C exhibit a broad extra-proximal-tubular distribution. METHODS To explore the consequences of Nbce1b/c loss in the absence of acidemia, we engineered a novel strain of Nbce1b/c-null mice and assessed them for signs of pRTA. RESULTS Nbce1b/c-null mice have normal blood pH, but exhibit increased mortality, growth retardation, corneal edema, and tooth enamel defects. CONCLUSIONS The correction of pRTA-related acidemia should not be considered a panacea for all signs of pRTA. The phenotype of Nbce1b/c-null mice highlights the physiologic importance of NBCe1 variants expressed beyond the proximal tubular epithelia and potential limitations of pH correction by alkali therapy in pRTA. It also suggests a novel genetic locus for corneal dystrophy and enamel hypomineralization without acidemia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sangita P Patel
- Ophthalmology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York.,State University of New York Eye Institute, Buffalo, New York; and.,Research and Ophthalmology Services, VA Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, New York
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mark D Parker
- Departments of Physiology and Biophysics and .,Ophthalmology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York.,State University of New York Eye Institute, Buffalo, New York; and
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