title: Propionate activates multiple ion transport mechanisms in the HT29-18-C1 human colon cell line.
abstract: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the major solutes and the major anions in the colonic lumen. We studied the response of suspended HT29-18-C1 cells (an epithelial cell line derived from a human colon carcinoma) to SCFA exposure. Cellular response was evaluated by measurement of cell volume (Coulter counter), intracellular pH [pHi; measured fluorometrically with 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF)], and intracellular Na+, K+, and Cl- content (flame photometry and chloride titrator). Exposure to 130 mM propionate in isosmotic medium causes a rapid decrease in pHi and activates pHi recovery via amiloride-sensitive Na-H exchange. In the presence of propionate, Na-H exchange also causes cell swelling to a peak volume 11% above control cells and causes a 2.8-fold increase in intracellular Na+ content. After peak swelling, a regulatory-volume decrease (RVD) significantly reduced volume and intracellular Na+ returned to baseline. Other SCFAs (acetate, butyrate, and valerate) also elicit swelling and RVD. Activation of the Na(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) is required to return Na+ to normal levels and to indirectly provide ion gradients required for propionate-induced RVD, but Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity does not directly mediate RVD. When 1 mM 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS) is added in the presence of propionate, RVD was inhibited and cell Na+ content increased. Cl- depletion inhibited propionate-induced RVD and diminished the effect of SITS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Rowe
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Blackmon
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Montrose
mesh_terms: D012856:4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D000584:Amiloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D002712:Chlorides / Q000502:physiology; D003106:Colon / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007038:Hypotonic Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D007477:Ions; D011422:Propionates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D007038:Hypotonic Solutions; D007477:Ions; D011422:Propionates; D012856:4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic Acid; D000584:Amiloride; D012964:Sodium; C029658:propionic acid