title: Na(+)-dependent and -independent Cl-/HCO-3 exchange mediate cellular HCO3- transport in cultured human intrahepatic bile duct cells.
abstract: Biliary epithelial cells (cholangiocytes) modulate bile fluidity and alkalinity absorbing and/or secreting fluid and electrolytes, particularly HCO3- and Cl-. Mechanisms responsible for transepithelial H+/HCO3- secretion in human cholangiocytes are largely unknown. Human cholangiocytes isolated by enzymatic digestion and immunomagnetic purification from normal liver tissue obtained from reduced grafts used for pediatric liver transplantation were cultured in the presence of human hepatocyte growth factor. Maintenance of cholangiocyte phenotypic features was assessed using markers such as cytokeratin 19, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, vimentin, factor VIII-related antigen, desmin, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), and human epithelial antigen (HEA) 125. Intracellular pH (pHi) transients were measured microfluorimetrically 2'7'-Bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5,6, carboxyfluorescein-acetossimethylester (BCECF). In the absence of HCO3-, pHi recovery from an intracellular acid load (ammonia pre-pulse technique) was Na(+)-dependent and amiloride-inhibitable. No Na(+)-independent recovery was recorded even after stimulation with agents raising intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentrations. In the presence of HCO3-, recovery from an intracellular acid load required Na+, but was only partly inhibited by amiloride. In these conditions H+ extrusion was inhibited by 4,4-diisothiocyan atostilben-2,2-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and by intracellular Cl- depletion. Acute removal of extracellular Cl induced a pHi alkalinization that was inhibited by DIDS. pHi recovery from an intracellular alkaline load (isohydric CO2 changes) was Cl(-)-dependent and DIDS-inhibitable. Administration of agents raising intracellular cAMP concentrations increased both Na(+)-dependent and Na(+)-independent Cl-/HCO-3 exchange activity. Stimulation of Cl-/HCO3- exchange activity was not prevented by the Cl- channel inhibitor 5'-nitro-2(2)-phenylpropyl-amino-benzoate(NPPB). In conclusion, human cholangiocytes possess two acid extruders (Na+/H+exchanger and Na(+)-dependent Cl-/HCO3- exchange) and an acid loader (Cl-/HCO3- exchange), whereas no evidence was found for cAMP activated H(+)-ATPase. Bicarbonate influx is thus mainly mediated by Na-dependent Cl-/HCO3- exchange, whereas Na+:HCO-3 cotransport is not active in the physiological range of pHi. Stimulation of Na(+)-independent Cl-/HCO3- exchanger by cAMP does not require activation of Cl- conductances. These mechanisms may underlay hormone-regulated biliary HCO3- secretion in the human biliary tree.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Strazzabosco
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Joplin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zsembery
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spirlì
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fabris
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Granato
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossanese
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Poci
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Neuberger
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Okolicsànyi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Crepaldi
mesh_terms: D017920:Antiporters / Q000378:metabolism*; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000378:metabolism*; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D027963:Chloride-Bicarbonate Antiporters; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000378:metabolism; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017920:Antiporters; D001639:Bicarbonates; D027963:Chloride-Bicarbonate Antiporters; D002712:Chlorides; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers; D012964:Sodium; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases