Determination of NH4+/NH3 fluxes across apical membrane of macula densa cells: a quantitative analysis

ATP as a mediator of macula densa cell signalling

Within each nephro-vascular unit, the tubule returns to the vicinity of its own glomerulus. At this site, there are specialised tubular cells, the macula densa cells, which sense changes in tubular fluid composition and transmit information to the glomerular arterioles resulting in alterations in glomerular filtration rate and blood flow. Work over the last few years has characterised the mechanisms that lead to the detection of changes in luminal sodium chloride and osmolality by the macula densa cells. These cells are true "sensor cells" since intracellular ion concentrations and membrane potential reflect the level of luminal sodium chloride concentration. An unresolved question has been the nature of the signalling molecule(s) released by the macula densa cells. Currently, there is evidence that macula densa cells produce nitric oxide via neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) through cyclooxygenase 2 (COX 2)-microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES). However, both of these signalling molecules play a role in modulating or regulating the macula-tubuloglomerular feedback system. Direct macula densa signalling appears to involve the release of ATP across the basolateral membrane through a maxi-anion channel in response to an increase in luminal sodium chloride concentration. ATP that is released by macula densa cells may directly activate P2 receptors on adjacent mesangial cells and afferent arteriolar smooth muscle cells, or the ATP may be converted to adenosine. However, the critical step in signalling would appear to be the regulated release of ATP across the basolateral membrane of macula densa cells.

NH(4)(+) conductance in Xenopus laevis oocytes. III. Effect of NH(3)

Exposure of Xenopus laevis oocytes to NH(4)Cl caused intracellular acidification, cell membrane depolarization and the generation of an inward current. To determine the contribution of uncharged NH(3) and positively charged NH(4)(+), the NH(4)Cl-induced inward current was measured in the presence of increasing [NH(3)] at constant [NH(4)Cl] (10 mM) or increasing [NH(4)Cl] at constant [NH(3)] (0.045 mM) with pH varying in both cases. At -70 mV, the NH(4)Cl-induced current was barely detectable at pH 6.5, 0.01 mM NH(3), but increased successively at pH 7.5, 0.1 mM NH(3) and pH 8.5, 1 mM NH(3). In contrast, NH(4)Cl-associated currents were independent of changes of the [NH(4)Cl] at constant [NH(3)] and variable pH. Similar results with respect to acidification, depolarization and inward current in response to concentration and pH changes were obtained with trimethylamine HCl. Increasing concentrations of the weak acid propionate led to a reduction of the NH(4)Cl-induced current. These data suggest that NH(3) entry may induce local alkalinization that, in turn, may trigger the opening of a conductance for NH(4)(+) or trimethylamine-H(+) entry.

Angiotensin II directly stimulates macula densa Na-2Cl-K cotransport via apical AT(1) receptors

ANG II is a modulator of tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF); however, the site of its action remains unknown. Macula densa (MD) cells sense changes in luminal NaCl concentration ([NaCl](L)) via a Na-2Cl-K cotransporter, and these cells do possess ANG II receptors. We tested whether ANG II regulates Na-2Cl-K cotransport in MD cells. MD cell Na(+) concentration ([Na(+)](i)) was measured using sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate with fluorescence microscopy. Resting [Na(+)](i) in MD cells was 27.7 +/- 1.05 mM (n = 138) and increased (Delta[Na(+)](i)) by 18.5 +/- 1.14 mM (n = 17) at an initial rate (Delta[Na(+)](i)/Deltat) of 5.54 +/- 0.53 x 10(-4) U/s with an increase in [NaCl](L) from 25 to 150 mM. Both Delta[Na(+)](i) and Delta[Na(+)](i)/Deltat were inhibited by 80% with 100 microM luminal furosemide. ANG II (10(-9) or 10(-12) M) added to the lumen increased MD resting [Na(+)](i) and [NaCl](L)-dependent Delta[Na(+)](i) and caused a twofold increase in Delta[Na(+)](i)/Deltat. Bath (10(-9) M) ANG II also stimulated cotransport activity, and there was no additive effect of simultaneous addition of ANG II to bath and lumen. The effects of luminal ANG II were furosemide sensitive and abolished by the AT(1) receptor blocker candesartan. ANG II at 10(-6) M failed to stimulate the cotransporter, whereas increased cotransport activity could be restored by blocking AT(2) receptors with PD-123, 319. Thus ANG II may modulate TGF responses via alterations in MD Na-2Cl-K cotransport activity.

Luminal ammonia retards restitution of guinea pig injured gastric mucosa in vitro

The present study was conducted to elucidate the mechanisms by which Helicobacter pylori (HP)-derived ammonia causes gastric mucosal injury. Intact sheets of guinea pig gastric fundic mucosae were incubated in Ussing chambers. Both the luminal and the serosal pH were kept at 7.4. Transmucosal potential difference (PD) and electrical resistance (R) were monitored as indices of mucosal integrity. Restitution was evaluated by recovery of PD, R, and transmucosal [(3)H]mannitol flux after Triton X-100-induced mucosal injury. The effects of luminal or serosal NH(4)Cl on function and morphology of uninjured or injured mucosae were examined. In uninjured mucosae, serosal NH(4)Cl induced more profound decreases in PD and R and more prominent vacuolation in gastric epithelial cells than did luminal NH(4)Cl. In contrast, luminal NH(4)Cl markedly inhibited restitution in injured mucosae and caused an extensive vacuolation in gastric epithelial cells, as did serosal NH(4)Cl. Transmucosal ammonia flux was greater in the injured than in the uninjured mucosae. These results suggest that 1) basolateral membrane of gastric epithelial cells is more permeable to ammonia than apical membrane and 2) luminal ammonia, at concentrations detected in HP-infected gastric lumen, retards restitution in injured mucosae.