Sidney George Shaw, DPhil (1948-2017)

On March 4, 2017 at the age of 68, Sidney George Shaw (Sid) unexpectedly died from complications following surgery, only four years after retiring from the University of Bern. Trained in biochemistry at Oxford University, Sid had quickly moved into molecular pharmacology and became a key investigator in the field of enzyme biochemistry, vasoactive peptide research, and receptor signaling. Sid spent half his life in Switzerland, after moving to the University of Bern in 1984. This article, written by his friends and colleagues who knew him and worked with him during different stages of his career, summarizes his life, his passions, and his achievements in biomedical research. It also includes personal memories relating to a dear friend and outstanding scientist whose intellectual curiosity, humility, and honesty will remain an example to us all.

S0859, an N-cyanosulphonamide inhibitor of sodium-bicarbonate cotransport in the heart

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Intracellular pH (pH(i)) in heart is regulated by sarcolemmal H(+)-equivalent transporters such as Na(+)-H(+) exchange (NHE) and Na(+)-HCO(3) (-) cotransport (NBC). Inhibition of NBC influences pH(i) and can be cardioprotective in animal models of post-ischaemic reperfusion. Apart from a rabbit polyclonal NBC-antibody, a selective NBC inhibitor compound has not been studied. Compound S0859 (C(29)H(24)ClN(3)O(3)S) is a putative NBC inhibitor. Here, we provide the drug's chemical structure, test its potency and selectivity in ventricular cells and assess its suitability for experiments on cardiac contraction.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

pH(i) recovery from intracellular acidosis was monitored using pH-epifluorescence (SNARF-fluorophore) in guinea pig, rat and rabbit isolated ventricular myocytes. Electrically evoked cell shortening (contraction) was measured optically. With CO(2)/HCO(3) (-)-buffered superfusates containing 30 muM cariporide (to inhibit NHE), pH(i) recovery is mediated by NBC.

KEY RESULTS

S0859, an N-cyanosulphonamide compound, reversibly inhibited NBC-mediated pH(i) recovery (K (i)=1.7 microM, full inhibition at approximately 30 microM). In HEPES-buffered superfusates, NHE-mediated pH(i) recovery was unaffected by 30 microM S0859. With CO(2)/HCO(3) (-) buffer, pH(i) recovery from intracellular alkalosis (mediated by Cl(-)/HCO(3) (-) and Cl(-)/OH(-) exchange) was also unaffected. Selective NBC-inhibition was not due to action on carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzymes, as 100 microM acetazolamide (a membrane-permeant CA-inhibitor) had no significant effect on NBC activity. pH(i) recovery from acidosis was associated with increased contractile-amplitude. The time course of recovery of pH(i) and contraction was slowed by S0859, confirming that NBC is a significant controller of contractility during acidosis.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Compound S0859 is a selective, high-affinity generic NBC inhibitor, potentially important for probing the transporter's functional role in heart and other tissues.

Regulation of intracellular pH in cardiac muscle

Intracellular pH (pHi) in sheep cardiac Purkinje fibres is controlled by sarcolemmal Na+/H+ and Cl-/HCO3- exchange. At normal pHo (7.4), Na+/H+ exchange mediates an acid efflux whenever pHi falls and Cl-/HCO3- exchange mediates an equivalent acid influx in response to a rise in pHi. Intracellular pH is also influenced by Ca2+i, which can activate force development leading to the anaerobic production of lactic acid. This is evident after an increase in stimulation rate which reversibly reduces both pHi and extracellular surface pH (pHs). Rate-dependent pHi changes are inhibited following inhibition of glycolysis, indicating that they are caused by accumulation of lactic acid. In some cases, the efflux of lactic acid may provide a faster method for recovery of pHi from a metabolic acidosis than that provided by Na+/H+ exchange. Finally, direct pHi measurement in isolated mammalian ventricular myocytes suggests that the intrinsic intracellular buffering power (beta) of ventricular tissue may be considerably lower than previously believed. An accurate knowledge of beta is essential for calculating net membrane fluxes of acid equivalents from changes in pHi.

Acute regulation of mouse AE2 anion exchanger requires isoform-specific amino acid residues from most of the transmembrane domain

The widely expressed anion exchanger polypeptide AE2/SLC4A2 is acutely inhibited by acidic intracellular (pH(i)), by acidic extracellular pH (pH(o)), and by the calmodulin inhibitor, calmidazolium, whereas it is acutely activated by NH(4)(+). The homologous erythroid/kidney AE1/SLC4A1 polypeptide is insensitive to these regulators. Each of these AE2 regulatory responses requires the presence of AE2's C-terminal transmembrane domain (TMD). We have now measured (36)Cl(-) efflux from Xenopus oocytes expressing bi- or tripartite AE2-AE1 chimeras to define TMD subregions in which AE2-specific sequences contribute to acute regulation. The chimeric AE polypeptides were all functional at pH(o) 7.4, with the sole exception of AE2((1-920))/AE1((613-811))/AE2((1120-1237)). Reciprocal exchanges of the large third extracellular loops were without effect. AE2 regulation by pH(i), pH(o) and NH(4)(+) was retained after substitution of C-terminal AE2 amino acids 1120-1237 (including the putative second re-entrant loop, two TM spans and the cytoplasmic tail) with the corresponding AE1 sequence. In contrast, the presence of this AE2 C-terminal sequence was both necessary and sufficient for inhibition by calmidazolium. All other tested TMD substitutions abolished AE2 pH(i) sensitivity, abolished or severely attenuated sensitivity to pH(o) and removed sensitivity to NH(4)(+). Loss of AE2 pH(i) sensitivity was not rescued by co-expression of a complementary AE2 sequence within separate full-length chimeras or AE2 subdomains. Thus, normal regulation of AE2 by pH and other ligands requires AE2-specific sequence from most regions of the AE2 TMD, with the exceptions of the third extracellular loop and a short C-terminal sequence. We conclude that the individual TMD amino acid residues previously identified as influencing acute regulation of AE2 exert that influence within a regulatory structure requiring essential contributions from multiple regions of the AE2 TMD.

Transmembrane domain histidines contribute to regulation of AE2-mediated anion exchange by pH

Activity of the AE2/SLC4A2 anion exchanger is modulated acutely by pH, influencing the transporter's role in regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) and epithelial solute transport. In Xenopus oocytes, heterologous AE2-mediated Cl−/Cl−and Cl−/HCO3−exchange are inhibited by acid pHior extracellular pH (pHo). We have investigated the importance to pH sensitivity of the eight histidine (His) residues within the AE2 COOH-terminal transmembrane domain (TMD). Wild-type mouse AE2-mediated Cl−/Cl−exchange, measured as DIDS-sensitive36Cl−efflux from Xenopus oocytes, was experimentally altered by varying pHiat constant pHoor varying pHo. Pretreatment of oocytes with the His modifier diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC) reduced basal36Cl−efflux at pHo7.4 and acid shifted the pHovs. activity profile of wild-type AE2, suggesting that His residues might be involved in pH sensing. Single His mutants of AE2 were generated and expressed in oocytes. Although mutation of H1029 to Ala severely reduced transport and surface expression, other individual His mutants exhibited wild-type or near-wild-type levels of Cl−transport activity with retention of pHosensitivity. In contrast to the effects of DEPC on wild-type AE2, pHosensitivity was significantly alkaline shifted for mutants H1144Y and H1145A and the triple mutants H846/H849/H1145A and H846/H849/H1160A. Although all functional mutants retained sensitivity to pHi, pHisensitivity was enhanced for AE2 H1145A. The simultaneous mutation of five or more His residues, however, greatly decreased basal AE2 activity, consistent with the inhibitory effects of DEPC modification. The results show that multiple TMD His residues contribute to basal AE2 activity and its sensitivity to pHiand pHo.

Facilitation of intracellular H(+) ion mobility by CO(2)/HCO(3)(-) in rabbit ventricular myocytes is regulated by carbonic anhydrase

Intracellular H(+) mobility was estimated in the rabbit isolated ventricular myocyte by diffusing HCl into the cell from a patch pipette, while imaging pH(i) confocally using intracellular ratiometric SNARF fluorescence. The delay for acid diffusion between two downstream regions approximately 40 microm apart was reduced from approximately 25 s to approximately 6 s by replacing Hepes buffer in the extracellular superfusate with a 5 % CO(2)/HCO(3)(-) buffer system (at constant pH(o) of 7.40). Thus CO(2)/HCO(3)(-) (carbonic) buffer facilitates apparent H(+)(i) mobility. The delay with carbonic buffer was increased again by adding acetazolamide (ATZ), a membrane permeant carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitor. Thus facilitation of apparent H(+)(i) mobility by CO(2)/HCO(3)(-) relies on the activity of intracellular CA. By using a mathematical model of diffusion, the apparent intracellular H(+) equivalent diffusion coefficient (D(H)(app)) in CO(2)/HCO(3)(-)-buffered conditions was estimated to be 21.9 x 10(-7) cm(2) s(-1), 5.8 times faster than in the absence of carbonic buffer. Facilitation of H(+)(i) mobility is discussed in terms of an intracellular carbonic buffer shuttle, catalysed by intracellular CA. Turnover of this shuttle is postulated to be faster than that of the intrinsic buffer shuttle. By regulating the carbonic shuttle, CA regulates effective H(+)(i) mobility which, in turn, regulates the spatiotemporal uniformity of pH(i). This is postulated to be a major function of CA in heart.

Intrinsic H(+) ion mobility in the rabbit ventricular myocyte

The intrinsic mobility of intracellular H(+) ions was investigated by confocally imaging the longitudinal movement of acid inside rabbit ventricular myocytes loaded with the acetoxymethyl ester (AM) form of carboxy-seminaphthorhodafluor-1 (carboxy-SNARF-1). Acid was diffused into one end of the cell through a patch pipette filled with an isotonic KCl solution of pH 3.0. Intracellular H(+) mobility was low, acid taking 20-30 s to move 40 microm down the cell. Inhibiting sarcolemmal Na(+)-H(+) exchange with 1 mM amiloride had no effect on this time delay. Net H(+)(i) movement was associated with a longitudinal intracellular pH (pH(i)) gradient of up to 0.4 pH units. H(+)(i) movement could be modelled using the equations for diffusion, assuming an apparent diffusion coefficient for H(+) ions (D(H)(app)) of 3.78 x 10(-7) cm(2) s(-1), a value more than 300-fold lower than the H(+) diffusion coefficient in a dilute, unbuffered solution. Measurement of the intracellular concentration of SNARF (approximately 400 microM) and its intracellular diffusion coefficient (0.9 x 10(-7) cm(2) s(-1)) indicated that the fluorophore itself exerted an insignificant effect (between 0.6 and 3.3 %) on the longitudinal movement of H(+) equivalents inside the cell. The longitudinal movement of intracellular H(+) is discussed in terms of a diffusive shuttling of H(+) equivalents on high capacity mobile buffers which comprise about half (approximately 11 mM) of the total intrinsic buffering capacity within the myocyte (the other half being fixed buffer sites on low mobility, intracellular proteins). Intrinsic H(+)(i) mobility is consistent with an average diffusion coefficient for the intracellular mobile buffers (D(mob)) of ~9 x 10(-7) cm(2) s(-1).

Effect of S20787, a novel Cl--HCO3- exchange inhibitor, on intracellular pH regulation in guinea pig ventricular myocytes

S20787 has recently been proposed to be a selective Cl--HCO3- anion exchange (AE) inhibitor in rat cardiomyocytes. The AE transporter mediates sarcolemmal acid influx but is only one part of the cardiac cell's dual acid loading mechanism, the other part being a sarcolemmal Cl--OH- exchanger (CHE). We have therefore (1) investigated the differential effects of S20787 on the AE and CHE transporters in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes and (2) re-examined the influence of the drug on other sarcolemmal acid transporters by monitoring its effect on intracellular pH (pH(i)) recovery from alkali or acid loads. The pH(i) was measured using microspectrofluorimetry (carboxy-SNARF-1). The results indicate that CHE activity was unaffected by the drug (1-20 microM), whereas up to 78% of AE activity was blocked (K(i) = 3.9 microM). Thus, S20787 targets only the AE component of the dual acid influx system. Activities of other acid-transporting carriers, such as Na+-H+ exchange, Na+-HCO3- co-transport and the monocarboxylic acid transporter, were unaffected by the drug. The inhibitory efficacy of S20787 for AE in guinea pig cardiomyocytes appears to be considerably higher (approximately 78%) than proposed previously for rat cardiomyocytes (50%). This is most likely because, in both cells, a significant fraction (20-30%) of acid influx is mediated through the S20787-insensitive CHE transporter. Previous studies made no allowance for the CHE component, which would result in an underestimation. S20787 is thus a highly selective AE inhibitor which may be useful as an experimental tool and a potential cardiac protective agent in the heart.

Effect of intracellular pH on spontaneous Ca2+ sparks in rat ventricular myocytes

1. A fall of intracellular pH (pHi) typically depresses cardiac contractility. Among the many mechanisms underlying this depression, an inhibitory effect of acidosis upon the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release channel has been predicted, but not so far demonstrated in the intact cardiac myocyte. In the present work, pHi was manipulated experimentally while confocal imaging was used to record spontaneous 'Ca2+ sparks' (local SR Ca2+ release events) in rat isolated myocytes loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fluo-3. In other experiments, whole cell (global) pHi or [Ca2+]i was measured by microfluorimetry (using, respectively, intracellular carboxy SNARF-1 and indo-1). 2. Reducing pHi (i) increased whole cell intracellular [Ca2+] transients induced either electrically or by addition of caffeine, whereas (ii) it decreased spontaneous Ca2+ spark frequency. Conversely, raising pHi increased spontaneous Ca2+ spark frequency. 3. Blocking sarcolemmal Ca2+ influx with 10 mM Ni2+, or reducing external pH by 1.0 unit, had no effect on the pHi-dependent changes in spontaneous Ca2+ spark frequency. 4. Decreasing pHi over the range 7.78-7.20, decreased Ca2+ spark frequency exponentially as a function of pHi, with frequency declining by approximately 33 % for a 0.2 unit fall in pHi. In contrast, over the same pHi range, Ca2+ spark amplitude was unaffected. Intracellular acidosis produced a slight slowing of Ca2+ spark relaxation. 5. The results indicate that, in the intact myocyte, a reduced pHi decreases the probability of opening of the SR Ca2+ release channel. This phenomenon may contribute to the negative inotropic effects of acidosis.

Interactions between hypoxia and hypercapnic acidosis on calcium signaling in carotid body type I cells

The effects of hypercapnic acidosis and hypoxia on intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) were determined with Indo 1 in enzymatically isolated single type I cells from neonatal rat carotid bodies. Type I cells responded to graded hypoxic stimuli with graded [Ca(2+)](i) rises. The percentage of cells responding was also dependent on the severity of the hypoxic stimulus. Raising CO(2) from 5 to 10 or 20% elicited a significant increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in the same cells as those that responded to hypoxia. Thus both stimuli can be sensed by each individual cell. When combinations of hypoxic and acidic stimuli were given simultaneously, the responses were invariably greater than the response to either stimulus given alone. Indeed, in most cases, the response to hypercapnia was slightly potentiated by hypoxia. These data provide the first evidence that the classic synergy between hypoxic and hypercapnic stimuli observed in the intact carotid body may, in part, be an inherent property of the type I cell.

Generation of intracellular pH gradients in single cardiac myocytes with a microperfusion system

This study describes the use of a microperfusion system to create rapid, large regional changes in intracellular pH (pH(i)) within single ventricular myocytes. The spatial distribution of pH(i) in single myocytes was measured with seminaphthorhodafluor-1 fluorescence using confocal imaging. Changes in pH(i) were induced by local external application of NH(4)Cl, CO(2), or sodium propionate. Local application was achieved by simultaneously directing two parallel square microstreams, each 275 microm wide, over a single myocyte oriented perpendicular to the direction of flow. One stream contained the control solution, and the other contained a weak acid or base. End-to-end, stable pH(i) gradients as large as 1 pH unit were readily created with this technique. This result indicates that pH within a single cardiac cell may not always be spatially uniform, particularly when weak acid or base gradients are present, which can occur, for example, in regional myocardial ischemia. The microperfusion method should be useful for studying the effects of localized acidosis on myocyte function, estimating intracellular ion diffusion rates, and, possibly, inducing regional changes in other important intracellular ions.

Two distinct HCO(-)(3)-dependent H(+) efflux pathways in human vascular endothelial cells

Intracellular pH (pH(i)) regulation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was investigated. The pH(i) was recorded using seminaphthorhodafluor-1 (SNARF-1). Cells were intracellularly acid loaded with NH(4)Cl prepulse. In HEPES-buffered Tyrode (nominally HCO(-)(3) free), pH(i) recovery from acid load was inhibited by 1.5 mM amiloride or Na(+)-free solution. Additionally, in HCO(-)(3)-buffered Tyrode, a HCO(-)(3)-dependent pH(i) recovery from acidosis was evident in the presence of 1.5 mM amiloride, which mediated complete recovery of pH(i) (7.26). In Na(+)-free solution, the HCO(-)(3)-dependent acid extruder mediated pH(i) recovery after an acid load but only back to 7.09. These results suggest that there are two HCO(-)(3)-dependent acid extruders in the HUVEC. One is Na(+) dependent, and the other is Na(+) independent. The former was further shown to be completely inhibited by 0.5 mM DIDS, whereas the latter was only inhibited by 24.6%. In Cl(-)-free solution, both of the HCO(-)(3)-dependent pathways were inhibited. In conclusion, one HCO(-)(3)-dependent acid extruder in the HUVEC resembles the Na(+)-dependent Cl(-)/HCO(-)(3) exchange found in other tissues, and the other is Cl(-) dependent but Na(+) independent.

Characterization of intracellular pH regulation in the guinea-pig ventricular myocyte

1. Intracellular pH was recorded fluorimetrically by using carboxy-SNARF-1, AM-loaded into superfused ventricular myocytes isolated from guinea-pig heart. Intracellular acid and base loads were induced experimentally and the changes of pHi used to estimate intracellular buffering power (beta). The rate of pHi recovery from acid or base loads was used, in conjunction with the measurements of beta, to estimate sarcolemmal transporter fluxes of acid equivalents. A combination of ion substitution and pharmacological inhibitors was used to dissect acid effluxes carried on Na+-H+ exchange (NHE) and Na+-HCO3- cotransport (NBC), and acid influxes carried on Cl--HCO3- exchange (AE) and Cl--OH- exchange (CHE). 2. The intracellular intrinsic buffering power (betai), estimated under CO2/HCO3--free conditions, varied inversely with pHi in a manner consistent with two principal intracellular buffers of differing concentration and pK. In CO2/HCO3--buffered conditions, intracellular buffering was roughly doubled. The size of the CO2-dependent component (betaCO2) was consistent with buffering in a cell fully open to CO2. Because the full value of betaCO2 develops slowly (2.5 min), it had to be measured under equilibrium conditions. The value of betaCO2 increased monotonically with pHi. 3. In 5 % CO2/HCO3--buffered conditions (pHo 7.40), acid extrusion on NHE and NBC increased as pHi was reduced, with the greater increase occurring through NHE at pHi < 6.90. Acid influx on AE and CHE increased as pHi was raised, with the greater increase occurring through AE at pHi > 7.15. At resting pHi (7.04-7.07), all four carriers were activated equally, albeit at a low rate (about 0.15 mM min-1). 4. The pHi dependence of flux through the transporters, in combination with the pHi and time dependence of intracellular buffering (betai + betaCO2), was used to predict mathematically the recovery of pHi following an intracellular acid or base load. Under several conditions the mathematical predictions compared well with experimental recordings, suggesting that the model of dual acid influx and acid efflux transporters is sufficient to account for pHi regulation in the cardiac cell. Key properties of the pHi control system are discussed.

A novel role for carbonic anhydrase: cytoplasmic pH gradient dissipation in mouse small intestinal enterocytes

1. The spatial and temporal distribution of intracellular H+ ions in response to activation of a proton-coupled dipeptide transporter localized at the apical pole of mouse small intestinal isolated enterocytes was investigated using intracellular carboxy-SNARF-1 fluorescence in combination with whole-cell microspectrofluorimetry or confocal microscopy. 2. In Hepes-buffered Tyrode solution, application of the dipeptide Phe-Ala (10 mM) to a single enterocyte reduced pHi locally in the apical submembranous space. After a short delay (8 s), a fall of pHi occurred more slowly at the basal pole. 3. In the presence of CO2/HCO3--buffered Tyrode solution, the apical and basal rates of acidification were not significantly different and the time delay was reduced to 1 s or less. 4. Following application of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide (100 microM) in the presence of CO2/HCO3- buffer, addition of Phe-Ala once again produced a localized apical acidification that took 5 s to reach the basal pole. Basal acidification was slower than at the apical pole. 5. We conclude that acid influx due to proton-coupled dipeptide transport can lead to intracellular pH gradients and that intracellular carbonic anhydrase activity, by facilitating cytoplasmic H+ mobility, limits their magnitude and duration.

Effects of mitochondrial uncouplers on intracellular calcium, pH and membrane potential in rat carotid body type I cells

1. Mitochondrial uncouplers are potent stimulants of the carotid body. We have therefore investigated their effects upon isolated type I cells. Both 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenyl hydrazone (FCCP) caused an increase in [Ca2+]i which was largely inhibited by removal of extracellular Ca2+ or Na+, or by the addition of 2 mM Ni2+. Methoxyverapamil (D600) also partially inhibited the [Ca2+]i response. 2. In perforated-patch recordings, the rise in [Ca2+]i coincided with membrane depolarization and was greatly reduced by voltage clamping the cell to -70 mV. Uncouplers also inhibited a background K+ current and induced a small inward current. 3. Uncouplers reduced pHi by 0.1 unit. Alkaline media diminished this acidification but had no effect on the [Ca2+]i response. 4. FCCP and DNP also depolarized type I cell mitochondria. The onset of mitochondrial depolarization preceded changes in cell membrane conductance by 3-4 s. 5. We conclude that uncouplers excite the carotid body by inhibiting a background K+ conductance and inducing a small inward current, both of which lead to membrane depolarization and voltage-gated Ca2+ entry. These effects are unlikely to be caused by cell acidification. The inhibition of background K+ current may be related to the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation.

Modelling myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion

Substrate depletion and increased intracellular acidity are believed to underlie clinically important manifestations of myocardial ischaemia. Recent advances in measuring ion concentrations and metabolite changes have provided a wealth of detail on the processes involved. Coupled with the rapid increase in computing power, this has allowed the development of a mathematical model of cardiac metabolism in normal and ischaemic conditions. Pre-existing models of cardiac cells such as Oxsoft HEART contain highly developed dynamic descriptions of cardiac electrical activity. While biophysically detailed, these models do not yet incorporate biochemical changes. Modelling of bioenergetic changes was based and verified against whole heart NMR spectroscopy. In the model, ATP hydrolysis and generation are calculated simultaneously as a function of [Pi]i. Simulation of pH regulation was based on the pHi dependency of acid efflux, examined in time-course studies of pHi recovery (measured in myocytes with the fluorophore carboxy-SNARF-1) from imposed acid and alkali loads. The force-[Ca2+]i relationship of myofibrils was used as the basis of modelling H+ competition with Ca2+, and thus of pH effects on contraction. This complex description of biochemically important changes in myocardial ischaemia was integrated into the OXSOFT models. The model is sufficiently complete to simulate calcium-overload arrhythmias during ischaemia and reperfusion-induced arrhythmias. The timecourse of both metabolite and pH changes correlates well with clinical and experimental studies. The model possesses predictive power, as it aided the identification of electrophysiological effects of therapeutic interventions such as Na(+)-H+ block. It also suggests a strategy for the control of cardiac arrhythmias during calcium overload by regulating sodium-calcium exchange. In summary, we have developed a biochemically and biophysically detailed model that provides a novel approach to studying myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion.

Sarcolemmal mechanisms for pHi recovery from alkalosis in the guinea-pig ventricular myocyte

1. The mechanism of pHi recovery from an intracellular alkali load (induced by acetate prepulse or by reduction/removal of ambient PCO2) was investigated using intracellular SNARF fluorescence in the guinea-pig ventricular myocyte. 2. In Hepes buffer (pHo 7.40), pHi recovery was inhibited by removal of extracellular Cl-, but not by removal of Na+o or elevation of K+o. Recovery was unaffected by the stilbene drug DIDS (4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-disulphonic acid), but was slowed dose dependently by the stilbene drug DBDS (dibenzamidostilbene-disulphonic acid). 3. In 5 % CO2/HCO3- buffer (pHo 7.40), pHi recovery was faster than in Hepes buffer. It consisted of an initial rapid recovery phase followed by a slow phase. Much of the rapid phase has been attributed to CO2-dependent buffering. The slow phase was inhibited completely by Cl-o removal but not by Na+o removal or K+o elevation. 4. At a test pHi of 7.30 in CO2/HCO3- buffer, the slow phase was inhibited 70 % by DIDS. The mean DIDS-inhibitable acid influx was equivalent in magnitude to the HCO3--stimulated acid influx. Similarly, the DIDS-insensitive influx was equivalent to that estimated in Hepes buffer. 5. We conclude that two independent sarcolemmal acid-loading carriers are stimulated by a rise of pHi and account for the slow phase of recovery from an alkali load. The results are consistent with activation of a DIDS-sensitive Cl--HCO3- anion exchanger (AE) to produce HCO3- efflux, and a DIDS-insensitive Cl--OH- exchanger (CHE) to produce OH- efflux. H+-Cl- co-influx as the alternative configuration for CHE is not, however, excluded. 6. The dual acid-loading system (AE plus CHE), previously shown to be activated by a fall of extracellular pH, is thus activated by a rise of intracellular pH. Activity of the dual-loading system is therefore controlled by pH on both sides of the cardiac sarcolemma.

Out-of-equilibrium pH transients in the guinea-pig ventricular myocyte

1. Following an intracellular alkali load (imposed by acetate prepulsing in CO2/HCO3- buffer), intracellular pH (pHi) of the guinea-pig ventricular myocyte (recorded from intracellular SNARF fluorescence) recovers to control levels. Recovery has two phases. An initial rapid phase (lasting up to 2 min) is followed by a later slow phase (several minutes). Inhibition of sarcolemmal acid-loading carriers (by removal of extracellular Cl-) inhibits the later, slow phase but the initial rapid recovery phase persists. It also persists in the absence of extracellular Na+ and in the presence of the HCO3- transport inhibitor DIDS (4,4-di-isothiocyanatostilbene-2, 2-disulphonic acid). 2. The rapid recovery phase is not evident if the alkali load has been induced by reducing PCO2 (from 10 to 5 %), and it is inhibited in the absence of CO2/HCO3- buffer (i.e. Hepes buffer). It is also slowed by the carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitor acetazolamide (ATZ). We conclude that it is caused by buffering of the alkali load through the hydration of intracellular CO2 (CO2-dependent buffering). 3. The time course of rapid recovery is consistent with an intracellular CO2 hydration rate constant (k1) of 0.36 s-1 in the presence of CA activity, and 0.14 s-1 in the absence of CA activity. This latter k1 value matches the literature value for uncatalysed CO2 hydration in free solution. Natural CO2 hydration is accelerated 2.6-fold in the ventricular myocyte by endogenous CA. 4. The rapid recovery phase represents a period when the intracellular CO2/HCO3- buffer is out of equilibrium (OOE). Modelling of the recovery phase using our k1 value, indicates that OOE conditions will normally extend for at least 2 min following a step rise in pHi (at constant PCO2). If CA is inactive, this period can be as long as 5 min. During normal pHi regulation, the recovery rate during these periods cannot be used as a measure of sarcolemmal acid loading since it is a mixture of slow CO2-dependent buffering and transmembrane acid loading. The implication of this finding for quantification of pHi regulation during alkalosis is discussed.

Peptide mimics as substrates for the intestinal peptide transporter

4-Aminophenylacetic acid (4-APAA), a peptide mimic lacking a peptide bond, has been shown to interact with a proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter using a number of different experimental approaches. In addition to inhibiting transport of labeled peptides, these studies show that 4-APAA is itself translocated. 4-APAA transport across the rat intact intestine was stimulated 18-fold by luminal acidification (to pH 6.8) as determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); in enterocytes isolated from mouse small intestine the intracellular pH was reduced on application of 4-APAA, as shown fluorimetrically with the pH indicator carboxy-SNARF; 4-APAA trans-stimulated radiolabeled peptide transport in brush-border membrane vesicles isolated from rat renal cortex; and in Xenopus oocytes expressing PepT1, 4-APAA produced trans-stimulation of radiolabeled peptide efflux, and as determined by HPLC, was a substrate for translocation by this transporter. These results with 4-APAA show for the first time that the presence of a peptide bond is not a requirement for rapid translocation through the proton-linked oligopeptide transporter (PepT1). Further investigation will be needed to determine the minimal structural requirements for a molecule to be a substrate for this transporter.

Chloride-hydroxyl exchange in the guinea-pig ventricular myocyte: no role for bicarbonate

Reduction of extracellular pH (pHo) leads to a fall of intracellular pH (pHi) in the guinea-pig ventricular myocyte. In nominally CO2/HCO3--free conditions, this has been attributed to stimulation of OH- ion efflux on a novel Cl--OH- exchange carrier in the sarcolemma. In the present work, we have tested for the possible participation of bicarbonate ions. Residual bicarbonate levels may occur through hydration of CO2 arising either from cellular metabolism or from the atmosphere. The pHi was measured by using the intracellular pH-fluorophore, carboxy SNARF-1 (AM-loaded). Possible sources of CO2 were eliminated by adding the aerobic inhibitors, cyanide or rotenone, and by equilibrating the superfusates flowing over the myocyte with a CO2-free, 100% N2 atmosphere. The fall of pHi upon reducing pHo (to 6.4) persisted after complete CO2-removal. This indicates that, in nominally CO2-free conditions, residual HCO3- transport on a Cl--HCO3- exchanger cannot account for the pHo-dependence of pHi, and supports the hypothesis for a Cl--OH- exchanger (or, alternatively, an H+-Cl- co-influx mechanism).

Assessment of evidence for K+-H+ exchange in isolated type-1 cells of neonatal rat carotid body

Intracellular pH (pHi) was measured in enzymically isolated, neonatal rat carotid body type-1 cells, using the fluorophore carboxy-SNARF-1 (AM-loaded), and using the nigericin technique for in situ fluorescence calibration (nigericin is a membrane-soluble K+-H+ exchanger). In CO2/HCO3--free media, inhibiting Na+-H+ exchange produced a prompt fall of pHi (background acid-loading), the rate of which was reduced by raising the extracellular K+ concentration, [K+]o. pHi recovery from an intracellular acid or alkali load was also sensitive to changes of [K+]o. These results are similar to those of Wilding et al. (J Gen Physiol 100:593-608, 1992), who proposed the existence of an acid-loading, K+-H+ exchanger (KHE) in the type-1 cell. However, when nigericin was not used for post-experimental calibration, and the superfusion system was flushed exhaustively with strong detergent, alcohol and distilled water, then background acid-loading was attenuated, and the K+o sensitivity of pHi insignificant. Background loading was increased again, and K+o sensitivity restored, when cells were monitored in a superfusion system which had previously been exposed to a single nigericin-calibration protocol (followed by a short system wash with strong detergent and distilled water). We conclude that the previously reported expression of KHE in carotid body type-1 cells is an artefact caused by nigericin contamination. We have therefore quantified the pHi dependence of background loading in uncontaminated type-1 cells. We consider the possible implications of our work for reports of KHE in other cell types.

Interaction between Na+ and H+ ions on Na-H exchange in sheep cardiac Purkinje fibers

The interaction between Na+ and H+ ions upon Na-H exchange (NHE) was examined in sheep cardiac Purkinje fibers. Acid equivalent fluxes through NHE were examined using recordings of intracellular pH and Na+ in isolated preparations measured with ion selective microelectrodes. The extent of acid-extrusion by NHE was estimated from pH(i) recovery-rate, multiplied by beta(i) (intracellular buffering power) in response to an internal acid load induced by 20 mm NH4Cl removal (nominally HCO3- free media). A mixed inhibitory effect was found of extracellular H+ on external Na+-activation of NHE (i.e. an increase, at low pH(o), in the apparent Michaelis constant for external Na+ ions [K(Nao)(0.5)] and a decrease in the maximum transport rate [V(Nao)(max)]). In addition, we confirmed that the stoichiometry of Na(o) binding is unaffected by the pH(o) (between 7.5 and 6.5), showing a Hill coefficient close to one. The interaction between Na+ and H+ ions at the internal face of the cardiac NHE was also studied. Our evidence suggests that an increase in the intracellular Na+ ion concentration ([Na+]i) inhibits acid efflux and that this inhibition can be approximated by the decrease in thermodynamic driving force caused by reducing the transmembrane Na+ gradient. It appears, however, that small variations in [Na+]i from the normal resting level (intracellular sodium activity, a(i)Na = 7 to 13 mm) have little or no effect on acid efflux, suggesting that variation of a(i)Na is not a physiologically important controller of NHE activity in heart.

Muscarinic and nicotinic receptors raise intracellular Ca2+ levels in rat carotid body type I cells

1. The effects of cholinergic agonists upon intracellular free Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) have been studied in enzymically isolated rat carotid body single type I cells, using indo-1. 2. Acetylcholine (ACh) dose-dependently increased [Ca2+]i in 55% of cells studied (EC50 = 13 microM). These [Ca2+]i rises were partially inhibited by atropine or mecamylamine. 3. Specific nicotinic and muscarinic agonists also elevated [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent manner (nicotine, EC50 = 15 microM; methacholine, EC50 = 20 microM). 4. While the majority of the ACh-sensitive cells responded to both classes of cholinergic agonist, 29% responded exclusively to nicotinic stimulation and 9% responded exclusively to muscarinic stimulation. 5. In the presence of nicotinic agonists, Ca2+i responses were transient. In the presence of muscarinic agonists, Ca2+i responses consisted of an initial rise, which then declined to a lower plateau level. 6. Nicotinic responses were rapidly abolished in Ca(2+)-free medium, suggesting that they are dependent on Ca2+ influx. 7. The plateau component of the muscarinic-activated response was also abolished in Ca(2+)-free conditions. The rapid initial [Ca2+]i rise, however, could still be evoked after several minutes in Ca(2+)-free medium. Muscarine also increased Mn2+ quenching of intracellular fura-2 fluorescence. These data suggest that the full muscarinic response depends on both Ca2+ release from intracellular stores and Ca2+o influx. 8. The results indicate that, in rat carotid body type I cells, both nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors increase [Ca2+]i, but achieve this via different mechanisms. ACh may therefore play a role in carotid body function by modulating Ca2+i in the chemosensory type I cells.

Novel chloride-dependent acid loader in the guinea-pig ventricular myocyte: part of a dual acid-loading mechanism

1. The fall of intracellular pH (pH1) following the reduction of extracellular pH (pH0) was investigated in guinea-pig isolated ventricular myocytes using intracellular fluorescence measurements of carboxy-SNARF-1 (to monitor pH1). Cell superfusates were buffered either with a 5% CO2-HCO3- system or were nominally CO2-HCO3-free. 2. Reduction of pH0 from 7.4 to 6.4 reversibly reduced pH1 by about 0.4 pH units, independent of the buffer system used. 3. In HCO3(-)-free conditions, acid loading in low pH0 was not dependent on Na(+)-H+ exchange or on the presence of Na+. It was unaffected by high-K+ solution, by voltage-clamp depolarization, by various divalent cations (Zn2+, Cd2+, Ni2+ and Ba2+) and by the organic Ca2+ channel blocker diltiazem, thus ruling out proton influx through H(+)-or Ca(2+)-conductance channels or influx via a K(+)-H+ exchanger. The fall also persisted in the presence of glycolytic inhibitors, or the lactate transport inhibitor, alpha-cyano-4-hydroxy cinnamate. 4. In HCO3(-)-free conditions, acid loading in low pH0 was reversibly inhibited (by up to 85%) by Cl(-)0 removal and was slowed by the stilbene drug DBDS (dibenzamidostilbene disulphonic acid). In contrast, the Cl(-)-HCO3-exchange inhibitor DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid) had no inhibitory effect. Acid loading is therefore mediated by a novel Cl(-)-dependent, acid influx pathway. 5. After switching to CO2-HCO3(-)-buffered conditions, acid loading was doubled. It was still not inhibited by Na(+)-free or high-K+ solutions but was once again inhibited (by 78%) in Cl(-)-free solution. The HCO3(-)-stimulated fraction of acid loading was inhibited by DIDS. 6. We propose a model of acid loading in the cardiomyocyte which consists of two parallel carriers. One is Cl(-)-HCO3-exchange, while we suggest the other to be a novel Cl(-)-OH-exchanger (although we do not rule out the alternative configuration of H(+)-Cl-co-influx). The proposed dual acid-loading mechanism accounts for most of the sensitivity of pH1 to a fall of pH0.

Effect of Hoe 694, a novel Na(+)-H+ exchange inhibitor, on intracellular pH regulation in the guinea-pig ventricular myocyte

1. Hoe 694 (3-methylsulphonyl-4-piperidinobenzoyl, guanidine hydrochloride) is a Na+/H+ exchange (NHE) inhibitor exhibiting cardioprotective properties during ischaemia and reperfusion in animal hearts. We have (i) tested the selectivity of Hoe 694 for NHE over other pHi-regulating mechanisms in the myocardium, and (ii) tested if the functionally important NHE isoform contributing to intracellular pH regulation in heart is NHE-1, as suggested from molecular biology studies of this protein. 2. pHi was recorded by fluorescence microscopy with carboxy SNARF-1, AM-loaded into single ventricular myocytes of guinea-pig. 3. In nominally HCO3-free media, recovery of pHi from an intracellular acid load is mediated by NHE, and was inhibited by Hoe 694, amiloride (an NHE inhibitor) or dimethyl amiloride (DMA, a high affinity NHE inhibitor) with potency values of 2.05, 87.3 and 1.96 microM respectively, giving the potency series: Hoe 694 congruent to DMA > > amiloride. This potency series, and the potency values (corrected for drug competition with extracellular Na+) match those determined previously for cloned NHE-1 expressed in mutant fibroblasts. In the absence of extracellular Na+ (to inhibit NHE), Hoe 694 had no effect on pHi. 4. In 5% CO2/HCO3(-)-buffered solution containing DMA, pHi recovery from acidosis is mediated by Na(+)-HCO3- symport and was unaffected by Hoe 694. The drug also had no effect on pHi recovery from an alkali-load, a process largely mediated by Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange. Finally, the fall of pHi upon adding extracellular Na-lactate is assisted by H(+)-lactate symport, and this too was unaffected by Hoe 694. 5. We conclude (i) Hoe 694 has no detectable inhibitory potency for pH-regulating carriers in heart other than NHE. (ii) native NHE functioning during pHi-regulation in the cardiomyocyte is the NHE-1 isoform. These data strengthen the case for NHE-1 being the receptor for mediating the cardioprotective effects of Hoe 694.

A short period of hypoxia produces a rapid and transient rise in [K+]e in rat hippocampus in vivo which is inhibited by certain K(+)-channel blocking agents

Extracellular potassium concentrations, [K+]e, were measured in vivo in the rat dorsal hippocampus using valinomycin-based double-barrelled ion-selective microelectrodes. Experiments were conducted under chloral hydrate anaesthesia. The microelectrodes were implanted stereotaxically, after which different gas mixtures were administered by inhalation. Transient hypoxia was induced by changing the inspired gas from 20% O2/80% N2 to 10-0% O2/90-100% N2 for 0.5-2 min. Resting [K+]e in the dorsal hippocampus was 3.4 +/- 0.09 mM; 0.5, 1 or 2 min of 100% N2 administration caused a rapid rise of [K+]e to 0.75, 1.9 and 15 mM, respectively. Following 0.5 min of 100% N2, the switch back to 20% O2/80% N2 produced an almost instantaneous return to normal levels. The return of [K+]e to basal levels was more delayed after 1 or 2 min of 100% N2 inhalation. The rise of hippocampal [K+]e induced by hypoxia was influenced by body temperature, the increase being five-fold higher in rats whose body temperature was raised from 33 to 37 degrees C using a heating blanket. Three potassium-channel blocking agents, quinine, 4-aminopyridine and gliquidone, were tested for their action on the increase in [K+]e, induced by inhalation of 100% N2 for 0.5 min. Both 4-aminopyridine and quinine, administered systemically, attenuated the anoxia-induced rise in [K+]e by 70 and 35%, respectively. In contrast, gliquidone, given by intracerebroventricular injection, had no effect, suggesting that ATP-sensitive potassium channels are not involved in this very early change in [K+]e.

Effect of metabolic inhibitors and second messengers upon Na(+)-H+ exchange in the sheep cardiac Purkinje fibre

1. Acid extrusion through Na(+)-H+ exchange was studied in the sheep cardiac Purkinje fibre (bathed in Hepes-buffered solution, nominally free of CO2-HCO3-) by examining (i) intracellular pH (pHi) recovery from an intracellular acid load (induced by 20 mM NH4Cl prepulse) and (ii) the rate of rise of intracellular Na+ activity (aiNa) following the ammonium prepulse (used as an estimate of apparent Na+ influx on Na(+)-H+ exchange). The pHi and aiNa were recorded using ion-selective microelectrodes. 2. The pHi recovery and rise of aiNa were both greatly slowed in the presence of 2-deoxyglucose (DOG; glucose-free solution), an inhibitor of glycolysis, indicating inhibition of Na(+)-H+ exchange. 3. Cyanide moderately slowed pHi recovery rate but did not significantly affect the rise of aiNa. Estimates of beta 1 (intracellular buffering power) indicated an increase of approximately 50% in the presence of cyanide; such an increase accounts for most of the observed slowing of pHi recovery. It is concluded that oxidative inhibition with cyanide does not inhibit Na(+)-H+ exchange. 4. Intracellular ATP, measured from luciferin-luciferase luminescence, was reduced by a similar amount (approximately 70%) by either DOG or cyanide. This suggests that, if intracellular ATP (ATPi) reduction is the cause of exchanger inhibition by metabolic inhibitors, then ATPi generated glycolytically is more important for activation of the exchange. 5. 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX; a non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor which can elevate intracellular [cAMP]) slowed acid extrusion and reduced apparent Na+ influx by a similar amount, whereas addition of sodium nitroprusside (to elevate intracellular [cGMP]) had no effect, suggesting that raising intracellular [cAMP] downregulates Na(+)-H+ exchange, whereas raising intracellular [cGMP] does not. 6. Application of trifluorperazine (TFP; a non-specific calcium-calmodulin inhibitor) completely reversed the inhibitory effects of IBMX upon pHi recovery and aiNa. Under control conditions (no IBMX), TFP had no effect on pHi recovery or upon resting pHi. 7. The phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) had no significant effect on pHi recovery or apparent Na+ efflux. 8. We conclude that inhibition of glycolysis or elevation of cAMP produces downregulation of Na(+)-H+ exchange in the cardiac Purkinje fibre. Possible reasons for the lack of inhibitory effect of oxidative inhibitors are discussed.

Effects of hypercapnia on membrane potential and intracellular calcium in rat carotid body type I cells

1. An acid-induced rise in the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) of type I cells is thought to play a vital role in pH/PCO2 chemoreception by the carotid body. In this present study we have investigated the cause of this rise in [Ca2+]i in enzymatically isolated, neonatal rat type I cells. 2. The rise in [Ca2+]i induced by a hypercapnic acidosis was inhibited in Ca(2+)-free media, and by 2 mM Ni2+. Acidosis also increased Mn2+ permeability. The rise in [Ca2+]i is dependent, therefore, upon a Ca2+ influx from the external medium. 3. The acid-induced rise in [Ca2+]i was attenuated by both nicardipine and methoxyverapamil (D600), suggesting a role for L-type Ca2+ channels. 4. Acidosis depolarized type I cells and often (approximately 50% of cells) induced action potentials. These effects coincided with a rise in [Ca2+]i. When membrane depolarization was prevented by a voltage clamp, acidosis failed to evoke a rise in [Ca2+]i. The acid-induced rise in [Ca2+]i is a consequence, therefore, of membrane depolarization. 5. Acidosis decreased the resting membrane conductance of type I cells. The reversal potential of the acid-sensitive current was about -75 mV. 6. A depolarization (30 mM [K+]o)-induced rise in [Ca2+]i was blocked by either the removal of extracellular Ca2+ or the presence of 2 mM Ni2+, and was also substantially inhibited by nicardipine. Under voltage-clamp conditions, [Ca2+]i displayed a bell-shaped dependence on membrane potential. Depolarization raises [Ca2+]i, therefore, through voltage-operated Ca2+ channels. 7. Caffeine (10 mM) induced only a small rise in [Ca2+]i (< 10% of that induced by 30 mM extracellular K+). Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release is unlikely, therefore, to contribute greatly to the rise in [Ca2+]i induced by depolarization. 8. Although the replacement of extracellular Na+ with N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMG), but not Li+, inhibited the acid-induced rise in [Ca2+]i, this was due to membrane hyperpolarization and not to the inhibition of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange or Na(+)-dependent action potentials. 9. The removal of extracellular Na+ (NMG substituted) did not have a significant effect upon the resting [Ca2+]i, and only slowed [Ca2+]i recovery slightly following repolarization from 0 to -60 mV. Therefore, if present, Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange plays only a minor role in [Ca2+]i homeostasis. 10. In summary, in the neonatal rat type I cell, hypercapnic acidosis raises [Ca2+]i through membrane depolarization and voltage-gated Ca2+ entry.

Effects of hypoxia on membrane potential and intracellular calcium in rat neonatal carotid body type I cells

1. We have studied the effects of hypoxia on membrane potential and [Ca2+]i in enzymically isolated type I cells of the neonatal rat carotid body (the principal respiratory O2 chemosensor). Isolated cells were maintained in short term culture (3-36 h) before use. [Ca2+]i was measured using the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluoroprobe indo-1. Indo-1 was loaded into cells using the esterified form indo-1 AM. Membrane potential was measured (and clamped) in single isolated type I cells using the perforated-patch (amphotericin B) whole-cell recording technique. 2. Graded reductions in PO2 from 160 Torr to 38, 19, 8, 5 and 0 Torr induced a graded rise of [Ca2+]i in both single and clumps of type I cells. 3. The rise of [Ca2+]i in response to anoxia was 98% inhibited by removal of external Ca2+ (+1 mM EGTA), indicating the probable involvement of Ca2+ influx from the external medium in mediating the anoxic [Ca2+]i response. 4. The L-type Ca2+ channel antagonist nicardipine (10 microM) inhibited the anoxic [Ca2+]i response by 67%, and the non-selective Ca2+ channel antagonist Ni2+ (2 mM) inhibited the response by 77%. 5. Under voltage recording conditions, anoxia induced a reversible membrane depolarization (or receptor potential) accompanied, in many cases, by trains of action potentials. These electrical events were coincident with a rapid rise of [Ca2+]i. When cells were voltage clamped close to their resting potential (-40 to -60 mV), the [Ca2+]i response to anoxia was greatly reduced and its onset was much slower.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of acidic stimuli on intracellular calcium in isolated type I cells of the neonatal rat carotid body

We have investigated the effects of acidic stimuli upon [Ca2+]i in isolated carotid body type I cells from the neonatal rat using indo-1 (AM-loaded). Under normocapnic, non-hypoxic conditions (23 mM HCO3-, 5% CO2 in air, pHo = 7.4), the mean [Ca2+]i for single cells was 102 +/- 5.0 nM (SEM, n = 55) with 58% of cells showing sporadic [Ca2+]i fluctuations. A hypercapnic acidosis (increase in CO2 to 10%-20% at constant HCO3-, pHo 7.15-6.85), an isohydric hypercapnia (increase in CO2 to 10% at constant pHo = 7.4) and an isocapnic acidosis (pHo = 7.0, constant CO2) all increased [Ca2+]i in single cells and cell clusters. The averaged [Ca2+]i response to both hypercapnic acidosis and isohydric hypercapnia displayed a rapid rise followed by a secondary decline. The averaged [Ca2+]i response to isocapnic acidosis displayed a slower rise and little secondary decline. The rise of [Ca2+]i in response to all the above stimuli can be attributed to no single factor other than to a fall of pHi. The hypercapnia-induced rise of [Ca2+]i was almost completely abolished in Ca(2+)-free solution, suggesting a role for Ca2+ influx in triggering and/or sustaining the [Ca2+]i response. These results are consistent with a role for type I cell [Ca2+]i in mediating pH/PCO2 chemoreception.

Coupling of dual acid extrusion in the guinea-pig isolated ventricular myocyte to alpha 1- and beta-adrenoceptors

1. Intracellular pH (pHi) was recorded in single, isolated guinea-pig ventricular myocytes using the pH-sensitive fluorophore, carboxy-SNARF-1 (AM-loaded). 2. The dual acid extrusion system in this cell (Na(+)-H+ antiport and Na(+)-HCO3- symport) was activated by inducing an intracellular acid load, produced by addition and subsequent removal of extracellular 10 mM NH4Cl. Under these conditions, it is known that both acid-equivalent extruders are activated about equally. 3. Application of phenylephrine (100 microM; alpha-adrenergic agonist) resulted in an inhibition of pHi recovery from an acid load, recorded in HCO3-buffered medium containing 1.5 mM amiloride (amiloride inhibits Na(+)-H+ antiport; under these conditions pHi recovery is mediated through only the Na(+)-HCO3- symport carrier). This inhibitory effect of phenylephrine was prevented by the alpha 1-antagonist, prazosin (0.1 microM) and was unaffected by propranolol (1 microM). 4. Application of phenylephrine in Hepes-buffered medium (only Na(+)-H+ antiport is active under these conditions) elicited a stimulation of pHi recovery, again prevented by prazosin (0.1 microM). 5. These results point to an alpha 1 inhibition of Na(+)-HCO3- symport and an alpha 1 stimulation of Na+-H+ antiport. 6. Both adrenaline (1-5 microM) and noradrenaline (5 microM) slowed pHi recovery recorded in HCO3(-)-buffered solution containing amiloride (1.5 mM). The similarity of this result with that obtained previously using phenylephrine (paragraph 3) suggests that all three agonists inhibit the Na(+)-HCO3- symport through alpha 1 activation. 7. Isoprenaline (1 microM; beta-adrenergic agonist) slowed pHi recovery in Hepes-buffered solution but stimulated recovery in a HCO3(-)-buffered solution containing amiloride (1.5 mM). These results suggest that beta activation slows Na(+)-H+ antiport but stimulates Na(+)-HCO3- symport. 8. When both acid-equivalent extrusion carriers were inhibited in Na(+)-free, HCO3(-)-buffered medium, phenylephrine or isoprenaline had no effect on pHi, ruling out any effect of the adrenergic agonists on background acid-loading mechanisms. 9. Under physiological conditions (CO2/HCO3(-)-buffered solution, no amiloride), when both acid extruders would be activated by an intracellular acid load, application of phenylephrine, adrenaline or noradrenaline were found to slow pHi recovery. In contrast, isoprenaline stimulated pHi recovery under the same conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adrenaline and extracellular ATP switch between two modes of acid extrusion in the guinea-pig ventricular myocyte

1. Intracellular pH (pHi) was recorded in isolated guinea-pig ventricular myocytes using the pH-sensitive fluoroprobe, carboxy-SNARF-1 (carboxy-seminaphthorhodafluor). 2. Addition and removal of 10 mM NH4Cl was used to induce an intracellular acid load in a myocyte perfused with HCO3(-)-buffered solution containing amiloride. Under these conditions, subsequent pHi recovery is known to rely upon Na(+)-HCO3- co-transport into the cell. The application of 0.5-5 microM adrenaline resulted in an inhibition of this pHi recovery. 3. In HEPES-buffered solution, where acid extrusion is mediated primarily by Na(+)-H+ antiport, pHi recovery from an acid load was stimulated by the application of adrenaline. 4. In HCO3-/CO2-buffered solution (no amiloride), when both acid-aquivalent extruders are activated by an intracellular acidification, adrenaline was found to slow pHi recovery. 5. When both carriers were inhibited in Na(+)-free, HCO3(-)-buffered medium, adrenaline had no effect on pHi, ruling out any effect of the catecholamine on background acid loading. 6. The voltage clamp technique was used to test if the inhibitory effect of adrenaline on amiloride-resistant, HCO3(-)-dependent pHi recovery was due to an efflux of HCO3- ions through catecholamine-activated anion channels. During pHi recovery, membrane depolarization, sufficient to reverse the electrochemical driving force acting on HCO3-, had no effect upon pHi recovery rate. 7. The above results show that adrenaline has direct but opposite effects on Na(+)-HCO3- co-transport and Na(+)-H+ antiport. In the presence of this agonist, the pHi dependence of Na(+)-HCO3- symport was shifted to the left along the pHi axis by 0.13 +/- 0.03 units (n = 4) whereas that for Na(+)-H+ antiport was shifted in the opposite direction by only 0.07 +/- 0.01 units (n = 3). Following an acid load, the net effect of adrenaline under physiological conditions was, therefore, a slowing of pHi recovery. 8. The application of extracellular ATP (ATPo, 10-50 microM) mimicked the effects of adrenaline on both Na(+)-H+ exchange and Na(+)-HCO3- symport. 9. Adenosine (50 microM) and ADP (50 microM) did not induce any inhibition of Na(+)-HCO3- symport, suggesting that the inhibition induced by ATP was not mediated through P1 or P2-purinergic receptors. 10. We conclude that Na(+)-H+ antiport and Na(+)-HCO3- symport are both coupled to adrenaline and ATPo receptors. Activation of these receptors switches acid-equivalent extrusion from a situation dependent on both HCO3- and H+ ions to one nearly exclusively dependent upon H+.

Role of bicarbonate in pH recovery from intracellular acidosis in the guinea-pig ventricular myocyte

1. Intracellular pH (pHi) was recorded ratiometrically in isolated guinea-pig ventricular myocytes using the pH-sensitive fluoroprobe, carboxy-SNARF-1 (carboxy-seminaphthorhodafluor). 2. Following an intracellular acid load (10 mM NH4 Cl removal), pHi recovery in HEPES-buffered Tyrode solution was inhibited by 1.5 mM amiloride (Na(+)-H+ antiport blocker). In the presence of amiloride, switching from HEPES buffer to HCO3-/CO2 (pHo of both solutions = 7.4) stimulated a pHi recovery towards more alkaline levels. 3. Amiloride-resistant, HCO(3-)-dependent pHi recovery was inhibited by removal of external Na+ (replaced by N-methyl-D-glucamine), whereas removal of external Cl- (replaced by glucuronate, leading to depletion of internal Cl-), removal of external K+, or decreasing external Ca2+ by approximately tenfold had no inhibitory effect. These results suggest that the amiloride-resistant recovery is due to a Na(+)-HCO3- cotransport into the cell. 4. The stilbene derivative DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid, 500 microM) slowed Na(+)-HCO(3-)-dependent pHi recovery. 5. Intracellular pH increased in Cl(-)-free solution and this increase still occurred in Na(+)-free solution indicating that it is not caused via Na(+)-HCO3- symport and is more likely to be due to Cl- efflux in exchange for HCO3- influx on a sarcolemmal Cl(-)-HCO3- exchanger. The lack of any significant pHi recovery from intracellular acidosis in Na(+)-free solution suggests that this exchanger does not contribute to acid-equivalent extrusion. 6. Possible voltage sensitivity and electrogenicity of the co-transport were examined by using the whole-cell patch clamp technique in combination with SNARF-1 recordings of pHi. Stepping the holding potential from -110 to -40 mV did not affect amiloride-resistant pHi recovery from acidosis. Moreover, following an intracellular acid load, the activation of Na(+)-HCO3- co-influx (by switching from HEPES to HCO3-/CO2 buffer) produced no detectable outward current (outward current would be expected if the coupling of HCO3- with Na+ were > 1.0). 7. Intracellular intrinsic buffering power (beta i) was assessed as a function of pHi (beta i computed from the decrease of pHi following reduction of extracellular NH4 Cl in amiloride-containing solution). beta i in the ventricular myocyte increases roughly linearly with a decrease in pHi according the following equation: beta i = -28(pHi) +222.6. 8. Comparison of acid-equivalent efflux via Na(+)-HCO3- symport and Na(+)-H+ antiport showed that, following an intracellular acidosis, the symport accounts for about 40% of total acid efflux, the other 60% being carried by the antiport.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Na(+)-HCO3- symport in the sheep cardiac Purkinje fibre

1. Intracellular pH (pHi) was recorded in isolated sheep cardiac Purkinje fibres using liquid sensor ion-selective microelectrodes in conjunction with conventional (3 M-KCl) microelectrodes (to record membrane potential). 2. In HEPES-buffered solution (pH0 7.4), pHi recovery from an intracellular acid load (20 mM-NH4Cl removal) was blocked by 1 mM-amiloride, consistent with the inhibition of Na(+)-H+ exchange. Replacement of the HEPES buffer with CO2-HCO3- caused a transient acidosis followed by an amiloride-resistant recovery of pHi to more alkaline levels (n = 43). This implies the presence of a HCO3(-)-dependent pHi regulatory mechanism. 3. Comparison of the membrane potential with the equilibrium potential for HCO3- ions (EHCO3) estimated during amiloride-resistant pHi recovery, showed that for polarized fibres (membrane potential Em approximately -80 mV), there was a net outward electrochemical driving force for HCO3- ions. Hence the amiloride-resistant pHi recovery cannot be explained in terms of passive HCO3- influx through membrane channels. 4. Removal of external Na+ (Na0+ replaced by N-methyl-D-glucamine) inhibited HCO3(-)-dependent pHi recovery, whereas removal of external Cl- (leading to depletion of internal Cl-; Cl0- replaced by glucuronate) or short-term removal of extracellular K+ had no inhibitory effect. We suggest that a Na(+)-HCO3- co-influx causes the recovery. Replacement of external Na+ with Li+ greatly reduced HCO3(-)-dependent pHi recovery indicating that Li0+ cannot readily substitute for Na0+ on the co-transport. 5. The stilbene drug DIDS (4,4-diisothiocyano-stilbene-disulphonic acid, 500 microM) slowed HCO3(-)-dependent pHi recovery. 6. Depolarization of the membrane potential in high K0+ (44.5 mM) solution or with 5 mM-BaCl2 had no effect upon the rate of HCO3(-)-sensitive pHi recovery. This observation, when coupled with the fact that activation of HCO3(-)-dependent pHi recovery was associated with no consistent change of membrane potential, suggests that the Na(+)-HCO3- co-influx is electroneutral and voltage insensitive. 7. HCO3(-)-dependent pHi recovery was unaffected by the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- co-transport inhibitor, bumetanide (150 microM). 8. The contribution of Na(+)-H+ exchange and Na(+)-HCO3- co-transport to net acid efflux was assessed. At a pHi of 6.6, we estimate that the co-transport should account for 20% of total acid equivalent efflux.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effects of extracellular pH, PCO2 and HCO3- on intracellular pH in isolated type-I cells of the neonatal rat carotid body

1. The effects of changing PCO2 extracellular pH (pHo) and HCO3- on intracellular pH (pHi) were studied in isolated neonatal rat type-I carotid body cells using the pH-sensitive fluoroprobe, carboxy-SNARF-1. 2. Simulated respiratory acidosis and alkalosis (i.e. changes in PCO2 at constant HCO3-) led to rapid (half-time t0.5 = 3 s) monotonic changes in pHi. The relationship between pHi and pHo under these conditions was linear, steep (0.63 pHi/pHo) and remarkably similar to the response predicted from a passive cell model (i.e. a cell lacking pHi regulation). 3. In order to model the above pHi changes (point 2), it was necessary to determine beta i (intrinsic intracellular buffering power). By using small incremental acid loads in the cell (progressive [NH4+]o removal), beta i was determined as a function of pHi to be: beta i = 127.6-16.04 pHi. 4. Changes in PCO2 at constant pHo (i.e. simultaneously changing HCO3-) caused rapid transient changes in pHi but did not significantly affect steady-state pHi over the range 1-10% CO2. 5. When PCO2 was held constant (5%), changing HCO3- and thus pHo (i.e. a simulated metabolic acidosis/alkalosis) led to much slower changes in pHi (t0.5 approximately 1 min). Steady-state pHi showed an almost identical dependence on pHo (slope 0.68) to that found for simulated respiratory acidosis/alkalosis. Therefore, over the range of pHo, PCO2 and [HCO3-]o tested, steady-state pHi appeared to be a unique function of pHo and independent of PCO2 and [HCO3-]o. 6. The effects on pHi of respiratory acidosis, metabolic acidosis and increases of PCO2 at constant pHo (present work) were compared with previously published work on the ability of similar manoeuvres to increase the carotid sinus nerve (CSN) discharge rate. The two sets of data showed several striking similarities: (i) in both cases, the response to a respiratory acidosis was rapid in onset, maintained and reversible; (ii) in both cases, the speed of response to a metabolic acidosis was significantly slower than in (i) but, again, it was maintained and reversible; (iii) in both cases, increases in PCO2 at constant pHo elicited a rapid response but one which was only transient with no change in the steady-state value. 7. The close correlation between the effects of changing pHo, PCO2 and [HCO3-]o on pHi and on CSN discharge suggests that a change in type-I cell pHi is the first step in the chemoreception of blood pH by the carotid body.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Intracellular pH and its regulation in isolated type I carotid body cells of the neonatal rat

1. The dual-emission pH-sensitive fluoroprobe carboxy-SNARF-1 (carboxy-seminaptharhodofluor) was used to measure pHi in type I cells enzymically dispersed from the neonatal rat carotid body. 2. Steady-state pHi in cells bathed in a HEPES-buffered Tyrode solution (pH 7.4) was found to be remarkably alkaline (pHi = 7.77) whereas cells bathed in a CO2-HCO3(-)-buffered Tyrode solution (pH 7.4) had a more 'normal' pHi (pHi = 7.28). These observations were further substantiated by using an independent nullpoint test method to determine pHi. 3. Intracellular intrinsic buffering (beta, determined by acidifying the cell using an NH4Cl pre-pulse) was in the range 7-20 mM per pH unit and appeared to be dependent upon pHi with beta increasing as pHi decreased. 4. In cells bathed in a HEPES-buffered Tyrode solution, pHi recovery from an induced intracellular acid load (10 mM-NH4Cl pre-pulse) was inhibited by the Na(+)-H+ exchange inhibitor ethyl isopropyl amiloride (EIPA; 150 microM) or substitution of Nao+ with N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMG). Both EIPA and Nao+ removal also caused a rapid intracellular acidification, which in the case of Nao+ removal, was readily reversible. The rate of this acidification was similar for both Nao+ removal and EIPA addition. 5. Transferring cells from a HEPES-buffered Tyrode solution to one buffered with 5% CO2-HCO3- resulted in an intracellular acidification which was partially, or wholly, sustained. The rate of acidification upon transfer to CO2-HCO3- was considerably slowed by the membrane permeant carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, acetazolamide, thus indicating the presence of the enzyme in these cells. 6. In CO2-HCO3(-)-buffered Tyrode solution, pHi recovery from an intracellular acidosis (NH4+ pre-pulse) was only partially inhibited by EIPA or amiloride whereas Nao+ removal completely inhibited the recovery. The stilbene DIDS (4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbenedisulphonic acid, 200 microM) also partially inhibited pHi recovery following an induced intracellular acidosis. Furthermore, the pre-treatment with 200 microM-DIDS of a pre-acidified cell in Na(+)-free Tyrode solution completely inhibited pHi recovery when Nao+ was reintroduced together with concomitant addition of 150 microM-EIPA. We conclude, that in the presence of CO2-HCO3-, a Na(+)- and HCO3-dependent (DIDS inhibitable) mechanism aids acid extrusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Mechanism of potassium efflux and action potential shortening during ischaemia in isolated mammalian cardiac muscle

1. Ischaemia was simulated in the isolated sheep cardiac Purkinje fibre and guinea-pig papillary muscle by immersing the preparations in paraffin oil. Ion-selective microelectrodes recorded potassium (Ks+) and pH (pHs) in the thin film of Tyrode solution trapped at the fibre surface while other microelectrodes recorded intracellular pH (pHi), membrane potential and action potentials (AP) (evoked by field stimulation), or membrane current (two-microelectrode voltage clamp in shortened Purkinje fibres). Twitch tension was also monitored. The paraffin oil model reproduced the salient characteristics of myocardial ischaemia, i.e. a decrease of twitch tension; a decrease of pHi and pHs; a rise in Ks+ (by 2-3 mM); a depolarization of diastolic membrane potential; considerable shortening of the AP (up to 30% within 4 min). 2. The sulphonylurea compounds, glibenclamide (200 microM) and tolbutamide (1 mM), known inhibitors of the KATP channel, completely blocked the ischaemic rise of Ks+ and prevented AP shortening. Ischaemic tension decline was notably less pronounced in the presence of sulphonylureas. 3. The ischaemic increase of slope conductance (Purkinje fibre) was prevented by 1 mM-tolbutamide and 200 microM-glibenclamide. 4. Sulphonylureas did not affect resting membrane potential, the AP or the current-voltage relationship under non-ischaemic conditions (this also indicates that ischaemic Ks+ accumulation is not fuelled by the background K+ current [iK1] which was shown, as expected, to be Ba2+ sensitive). 5. In a normally perfused preparation, reducing intracellular ATP by inhibiting glycolysis with 2-deoxyglucose (DOG) produced a similar AP shortening plus a membrane hyperpolarization, both of which were inhibited by tolbutamide or glibenclamide. The AP shortening was not related uniquely to the fall of pHi observed under these conditions since experimentally reducing pHi (by reducing pHo in the absence of DOG) lengthened rather than shortened the AP. 6. The possibility that the ischaemic rise in Ks+ might be the cause of AP shortening was excluded by the observation that, in a normally perfused Purkinje fibre, experimentally reducing pHi (by an amount similar to that seen during ischaemia) completely neutralized the AP-shortening effect of an elevated Ko+ (from 4.5 to 6.5 mM). Furthermore, the sulphonylurea-sensitive AP shortening seen during DOG treatment could not have been associated with a Ks+ rise since, in these particular experiments, the fibres were well perfused and diastolic membrane potential hyperpolarized.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Application of a new pH-sensitive fluoroprobe (carboxy-SNARF-1) for intracellular pH measurement in small, isolated cells

We report the use of a new pH-sensitive dual-emission fluoroprobe, carboxy-seminaphthorhodafluor-1 (carboxy-SNARF-1) for ratiometric recording of intracellular pH (pHi) in small isolated cells. The method is illustrated with pHi measurement in single type-1 cells (cell diameter approximately 10 microns) isolated from the carotid body of the neonatal rat. Carboxy-SNARF-1 is loaded using bath application of the acetoxymethyl ester. When excited at 540 nm, the fluoroprobe gives strong, inversely related emission signals at 590 nm and 640 nm. Stable ratiometric recordings of pHi can be achieved from a single cell (pHi 8.5-6.5) for up to 50 min. Photo-bleaching of the probe is minimised by illuminating at relatively low light intensity (50 W xenon lamp with 0.2% transmission neutral density filter). The probe can be calibrated in situ using the nigericin technique and this is in good quantitative agreement with the independent null-point technique (extracellular weak acid/weak base application) of Eisner et al. (1989).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Extracellular H+ inactivation of Na(+)-H+ exchange in the sheep cardiac Purkinje fibre

1. The inhibition of acid extrusion via Na(+)-H+ exchange caused by reducing pHo (extracellular pH) was examined in the sheep cardiac Purkinje fibre. Intracellular pH (pHi) and intracellular Na+ activity (alpha 1 Na) were recorded using ion-selective microelectrodes. Acid extrusion via Na(+)-H+ exchange was estimated from the pHi recovery rate (multiplied by intracellular buffering power, beta) in response to an internal acid load induced by 20 mM-NH4Cl removal (nominally CO2-HCO3-free media). 2. At a given pHi, acid extrusion decreased sigmoidally with decreases of pHo in the range 8.5 to 6.5 (50% inhibition of efflux occurred at a pHo between 7.0 and 7.5). This inhibition was associated with a parallel decrease in Na+ influx as evidenced from a decrease in the rise of alpha i Na measured during acid extrusion, suggesting inhibition of Na(+)-H+ exchange. 3. The background acid-loading rate (estimated by adding 1 mM-amiloride to inhibit Na(+)-H+ exchange and recording the initial rate of fall of pHi) was found to be unaffected in the steady state by changes of pHo. We therefore conclude that the slowing of pHi recovery at low pHo is due to direct inhibition of Na(+)-H+ exchange rather than to an increase of background acid loading. 4. Reducing pHo (constant pHi) inhibited acid efflux by producing a parallel shift of the efflux versus pHi relationship to lower values of pHi, consistent with a decrease in the apparent internal H+ ion affinity (pKi) of the system. 5. Raising pHi (constant pHo) also inhibited acid efflux, but this was associated with a rise in the pHo required for 50% maximal inhibition of acid efflux (pKo), consistent with an increase in apparent affinity for external H ions. Thus reduction of pHo reduces pKi (point 4) while reduction of pHi reduces pKo (point 5). 6. Inhibition by elevated Ho+ was not linearly related to the decrease in chemical driving force for Na(+)-H+ exchange, nor was it related to a reversal of the transmembrane H+ gradient. We found that efflux still occurred when pHo less than pHi. 7. Efflux was not a unique function of the transmembrane H+ ratio (i.e. pHo-pHi). At appropriate values of pHi and pHo, acid efflux could be kept constant despite a four-fold change in the transmembrane H+ ratio. 8. Inhibition by low pHo was a saturating function of Ho+ ions with a Hill coefficient of 1.2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

pH dependence of intrinsic H+ buffering power in the sheep cardiac Purkinje fibre

1. Intrinsic, intracellular H+ buffering power (beta) was estimated in the isolated sheep cardiac Purkinje fibre at various values of intracellular pH (pHi) in the range 6.2-7.5 and for various values of extracellular pH (pHo) in the range 6.5-8.5. Buffering power was calculated from the fall of pHi (recorded with an intracellular pH-selective microelectrode) induced by addition and removal of extracellular, permeant weak acids and bases (NH4Cl, trimethylamine chloride, sodium propionate). Experiments were performed under conditions nominally free of CO2-HCO3. 2. beta was estimated firstly following acid loads induced by NH4Cl removal (10-20 mM) under conditions where Na(+)-H+ exchange was operational (i.e. in Na(+)-containing Tyrode solution). At constant pHi, the value of beta appeared to double (from a control level of 39.7 mM) as pHo was increased from 7.5 to 8.5. Notably, raising pHo in this range greatly accelerated pHi recovery from an intracellular acid load, indicating stimulation of acid extrusion. It is likely that this stimulation results in an overestimation of beta because it blunts the intracellular acid load. The apparent elevation of beta at high pHo may therefore be an artifact. 3. Estimates of beta were compared (NH4Cl removal) before and after inhibiting Na(+)-H+ exchange in Na(+)-free solution or with amiloride (1 mM). The acid load was larger and in many (but not all) cases the apparent value of beta decreased after inhibition of acid extrusion. This indicates that, if Na(+)-H+ exchange is operational, it can result in an overestimate of beta. In amiloride, beta was 26.6 +/- 1.4 mM (n = 8) at a mean pHi of 6.84 +/- 0.03. 4. Small stepwise reductions of external NH4Cl (from 40 to 0 mM), in the presence of Na(+)-free solution plus 5 mM-BaCl2 at constant pHo, resulted in small stepwise reductions of pHi (approximately 0.1 units). When these were used to calculate beta, we observed that beta increased roughly linearly as pHi became more acid. For a pHi of 7.2, beta approximately 20 mM. 5. An almost identical relationship between beta and pHi was found when using the method of sodium propionate addition (10-50 mM): amiloride (1 mM) was present and pHi was manipulated to various test levels by changing pHo. This confirms that beta varies inversely with pHi and also that it is independent of pHo. We conclude that the apparent variation of beta with pHo observed earlier was indeed an artifact.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Comparison of intracellular pH transients in single ventricular myocytes and isolated ventricular muscle of guinea-pig

1. Intracellular pH was recorded (double-barrelled pH-selective microelectrodes) in single ventricular myocytes and whole papillary muscles isolated from guinea-pig heart. Both preparations were acid-loaded by various manoeuvres (addition and removal of external NH4Cl or CO2) in order that a comparison could be made of the size and speed of intracellular pH changes and hence of the apparent intracellular buffering power (beta). 2. For the same acid-loading procedure, the size of intracellular pH (pHi) changes was about threefold larger in the isolated myocyte than in whole papillary muscle. The rate of initial acid loading as well as the subsequent rate of pHi recovery (caused by acid extrusion from the cell) were also threefold faster in the myocyte. Estimates of apparent intrinsic (non-CO2) buffering power, based upon the size of pHi changes during acid loading, were 15-20 mmol l-1 for the myocyte and about 70 mmol l-1 for whole muscle. This latter value is similar to previous estimates of beta in heart. 3. When acid extrusion was reduced by applying a high dose of amiloride (1 mmol l-1), then the size of the pHi change during acid loading increased greatly in papillary muscle but changed much less in the myocyte; beta now appeared to be about 30 mmol l-1 in whole muscle but remained essentially unchanged in the myocyte. 4. We conclude that previous values for beta in cardiac muscle have been greatly overestimated because of the presence of sarcolemmal acid extrusion. Paradoxically, this error in estimating beta is far less evident in the isolated myocyte. We suggest that this is because a much more rapid acid loading is achievable in the myocyte so that acid loading will be blunted less by acid extrusion than in whole muscle. We present a simple mathematical model that demonstrates this phenomenon. We conclude that beta in ventricular muscle is likely to resemble that measured in the isolated myocyte, i.e. 15-20 mmol l-1. 5. Slow acid loading in whole ventricular muscle will also affect the kinetics of pHi changes. The model indicates that the rate of pHi recovery from an acid load in papillary muscle does not reflect the pHi dependence of acid extrusion. Instead, it is heavily influenced by the slow rate of acid loading. This emphasises that great care should be taken when interpreting the kinetics of pHi changes in multicellular ventricular preparations.

Effect of intracellular and extracellular pH on contraction in isolated, mammalian cardiac muscle

1. Intracellular pH (pHi) and Na+ activity were recorded (ion-selective microelectrodes) in guinea-pig papillary muscle and the sheep cardiac Purkinje fibre while simultaneously recording twitch tension. The effects of intracellular acidosis and alkalosis upon contraction were investigated. 2. A fall of pHi produced by reducing pHo was associated with a fall of twitch tension. Similarly, a rise of pHi produced by raising pHo produced a rise of twitch tension. The time course of the changes in tension correlated with the time course of changes of pHi rather than pHo. These results are consistent with previous work showing that acidosis inhibits contraction and that the inhibition depends upon a fall of pHi. 3. Changes of pHi were produced while maintaining pHo constant at 7.4. Removal of NH4Cl or addition of sodium acetate (pHo 7.4) reduced pHi but this gave either an increase of tension (papillary muscle) or an initial fall followed by a subsequent recovery of tension (Purkinje fibre). The increase or recovery of tension occurred despite the fact that there was an intracellular acid load. Thus, reducing pHi at constant pHo can increase tension whereas reducing pHi at low pHo (6.4, see paragraph 2) inhibits tension. 4. The increase of recovery of tension during intracellular acidosis produced at a constant pHo (7.4) was associated with a rise of intracellular sodium activity (aiNa). Amiloride (1.5 mmol/l), an inhibitor of Na(+)-H+ exchange, prevented the rise of aiNa during intracellular acidosis and also prevented the recovery of tension. It is concluded that the increase or recovery of tension at low pHi is secondary to a rise of aiNa caused by stimulation of Na(+)-H+ exchange. A rise of aiNa will elevate Ca2+ via sarcolemmal Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange and thus will elevate tension. 5. An intracellular acidosis produced by reducing pHo (6.4) does not elevate aiNa in the Purkinje fibre. In papillary muscle, aiNa rises but this occurs slowly and the rise is 50% smaller than that seen when the same intracellular acidosis is induced at normal pHo (7.4). The net depression of tension under these conditions thus correlates with the lack of a large rise of aiNa. 6. Knowing the quantitative dependence of tension upon both aiNa and pHi in the two tissues it is possible to predict the recovery of twitch tension during intracellular acidosis at constant pHo (7.4), using the changes of pHi and aiNa measured under these conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Sodium-hydrogen exchange and its role in controlling contractility during acidosis in cardiac muscle

Intracellular pH (pHi) and Na (aina) were recorded in isolated sheep cardiac Purkinje fibres using ion-selective microelectrodes while simultaneously recording twitch tension. A fall of pHi stimulated acid-extrusion via sarcolemmal Na-H exchange but the extrusion was inhibited by reducing extracellular pH (pHo), indicating an inhibitory effect of external H ions upon the exchanger. Intracellular acidosis can reduce contraction by directly reducing myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity. The activation of Na-H exchange at low pHi can offset this direct inhibitory effect of H+ ions since exchange-activation elevates aina which then indirectly elevates Ca2+i (via Na-Ca exchange) thus tending to restore tension. This protection of contraction during intracellular acidosis can be removed if extracellular pH is also allowed to fall since, under these conditions, Na-H exchange is inhibited.

Mechanism of rate-dependent pH changes in the sheep cardiac Purkinje fibre

1. The mechanism of the rate-dependent decrease in intracellular pH (pHi) and its recovery were studied in isolated sheep cardiac Purkinje fibres. Intracellular Na+ activity (aiNa) and pHi were measured using ion-selective microelectrodes. Twitches were elicited by field stimulation or by depolarizing pulses applied using a two-microelectrode voltage clamp. 2. A 3 Hz train of short (50 ms) depolarizing voltage-clamp pulses induced a reversible fall in pHi which was accompanied by a reversible increase in aiNa. A train of longer (200 ms) pulses also produced a fall in pHi which was now paralleled by a decrease in aiNa. These observations indicate that the rate-dependent acidosis is not dependent upon a rise in aiNa. 3. Neither the fall in pHi nor the increase in aiNa seen upon an increase in action potential frequency was inhibited by amiloride (1 mmol l-1) which indicates that Na+-H+ exchange is not involved in the generation of the acidosis. Furthermore, the rate-dependent acidosis was not abolished in Na+-free solution (Li+ or N-methyl glucamine substituted) indicating that other Na+-requiring processes (such as Na+-Ca2+ exchange) are not a necessary requirement. Rate-dependent pHi changes were also unaffected by the stilbene compound DIDS indicating no participation by Cl--HCO-3 exchange. 4. The rate-dependent acidosis was inhibited by the organic calcium antagonist D600 (20 mumol l-1) which also inhibited twitch tension. This suggests that the acidosis is related to the activation by Ca2+ of developed tension. D600 also inhibited the rate-dependent rise in aiNa (field stimulation). 5. The rate-dependent acidosis was not inhibited by cyanide (2 mmol l-1) but it was blocked by iodoacetate (0.5 mmol l-1) and by 2-deoxyglucose (DOG) (10 mmol l-1, applied in glucose-free solution). These results suggest that the acidosis is generated metabolically via stimulation of glycolysis, following an increase in contraction. Contributions from aerobic metabolism are likely to be small. 6. Twitch tension was inhibited by ryanodine (10 mumol l-1) but the drug had little inhibitory effect on the rate-dependent acidosis. A tonic component of tension was observed, however, in the presence of ryanodine. The lack of effect of ryanodine upon the rate-induced acidosis is discussed. 7. The half-time of pHi recovery from the frequency-dependent acidosis was consistently shorter than that from an intracellular acid load induced by adding and then removing external NH4Cl (10 mmol l-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)