monensin and 2--7--bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein

The mechanisms of tumor promotion in liver by various xenobiotics of diverse structure are not well understood. However, these tumor promoters share the ability to exert growth-stimulatory effects on hepatocytes. Our laboratory has been utilizing normal rat hepatocytes under defined conditions of primary cultures, to investigate growth-stimulatory actions of liver tumor promoters. We have shown that most, if not all, of the liver tumor promoters tested stimulate hepatocyte DNA synthesis when added in combination with epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin, and glucocorticoids. In the present study, we sought evidence for the role of the Na(+)/H(+) antiporter and cytoplasmic alkalinization in the direct growth-stimulatory actions of tumor promoters on hepatocytes. Hepatocytes cultured under conditions (bicarbonate-buffered medium) where intracellular pH (pH(i)) was independent of extracellular pH (pH(e)), EGF- and insulin-stimulated rates of DNA synthesis were unaffected by modest changes in pH(e). However, under conditions (HEPES-buffered medium) where pH(i) varied in a linear fashion with pH(e), rates of EGF- and insulin-stimulated DNA synthesis were highly dependent on pH(e). Similarly, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)-stimulated DNA synthesis were pH(e)-dependent but were stimulatory over different pH(e) ranges, suggesting that these promoters may act by distinct mechanisms. Chemicals that are capable of inducing rapid cytoplasmic alkalinization, ammonium chloride (1 and 15 mM) and monensin (0.5 microM), were found to stimulate hepatocyte DNA synthesis. The role of the Na(+)/H(+) antiport in controlling pH(i) of hepatocytes was demonstrated by artificially acidifying 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein acetoxymethyl (BCECF)-loaded isolated hepatocytes with 20 mM sodium acetate and the use of specific inhibitors. Amiloride and its analogues inhibited pH(i) recovery from the acid load in a dose dependent manner and the relative potency of these inhibitors paralleled their K(i) values for the Na(+)/H(+) antiport. At concentrations that stimulate hepatocyte DNA synthesis, some liver tumor promoters phenobarbital (PB) and HCH, were found to cause a rapid rise pH(i) in isolated hepatocytes which was sensitive to amiloride and its analogues. Taken together, our data suggest that activation of Na(+)/H(+) antiport activity may be one mechanism whereby some liver tumor promoters stimulate hepatocytes DNA

Topics: Amiloride; Ammonium Chloride; Animals; Bicarbonates; Carcinogens; Cell Division; Cells, Cultured; DNA; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fluoresceins; Fluorescent Dyes; Hepatocytes; HEPES; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Insulin; Intracellular Fluid; Ionophores; Male; Monensin; Probenecid; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers

A number of methods have been developed to measure intracellular pH (pHi) because of its importance in intracellular events. A major advance in accurate pHi measurement was the development of the ratiometric fluorescent indicator dye, 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). We have used a fluorescence multi-well plate reader and a ratiometric method for determining pHi in primary cultures of rabbit corneal epithelial (CE) cells with BCECF. Fluorescence was measured at excitation wavelengths of 485 +/- 11 nm and 395 +/- 12.5 nm, with emission detected at 530 +/- 15 nm. Cells grown in multi-well plates were loaded with 4 microM BCECF for 30 min at 37 degrees C. Resting pHi was 7.34 +/- 0.03 (2 cultures, N = 5 wells). Changes in pHi determined with the fluorescence multi-well plate reader after the addition and removal of NH4Cl or sodium lactate were comparable to changes in cells analyzed with a digitized fluorescence imaging system. A concentration-response relationship involving changes in pHi was easily demonstrated in CE cells after treatment with ionomycin, a calcium ionopore. Low doses of ionomycin (2.5-5 microM), produced a prolonged acidification; 7.5 microM ionomycin produced a transient acidification; and 10 microM ionomycin resulted in a slight alkalinization. We conclude that accurate pHi measurements can be obtained with a ratiometric method with BCECF in a multi-well plate reader. This technology may simplify screening studies evaluating effects of hormones, growth factors, or toxicants on pHi homeostasis.

Topics: Ammonium Chloride; Animals; Buffers; Cells, Cultured; Cornea; Epithelium; Fluoresceins; Fluorescent Dyes; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Ionomycin; Ionophores; Monensin; Nigericin; Rabbits; Sodium Lactate; Spectrometry, Fluorescence

Na+/H+ exchange activity was investigated in cultured rat thyroid follicular FRTL-5 cells using the pH sensitive dye 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). Basal intracellular pH (pHi) was 7.13 +/- 0.10 in cells incubated in Hepes-buffered saline solution. The intracellular buffering capacity beta i was determined using the NH4Cl-pulse method, yielding a beta i value of 85 +/- 12 mM/pH unit. The relationship between extracellular Na+ and the initial rate of alkalinization of acid-loaded cells showed simple saturation kinetics, with an apparent Km value of 44 +/- 26 mM, and an Vmax value of 0.3 +/- 0.01 pH unit/min. The agonist-induced activation of Na+/H+ exchange was investigated in cells acidified with nigericin. Addition of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) or ATP induced rapid cytosolic alkalinization in acid-loaded cells. The action of both TPA and ATP was abolished by preincubating the cells with 100 microM amiloride, by substituting extracellular Na+ with equimolar concentrations of choline+, and by pretreating the cells with TPA for 24 h. Chelating extracellular Ca2+, or depleating intracellular Ca2+ pools did not affect the ATP-induced alkalinization. The results indicate, that FRTL-5 cells have a functional Na+/H+ exchange mechanism. Furthermore, stimulation of protein kinase C activity is of importance in activating the antiport.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Amiloride; Animals; Buffers; Carrier Proteins; Cells, Cultured; Enzyme Activation; Fluoresceins; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Monensin; Nigericin; Protein Kinase C; Rats; Sodium; Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Thyroid Gland

The relationships between extracellular pH (pHo), intracellular pH (pHi), and loss of cell viability were evaluated in cultured rat hepatocytes after ATP depletion by metabolic inhibition with KCN and iodoacetate (chemical hypoxia). pHi was measured in single cells by ratio imaging of 2',7'-biscarboxy-ethyl-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) fluorescence using multiparameter digitized video microscopy. During chemical hypoxia at pHo of 7.4, pHi decreased from 7.36 to 6.33 within 10 min. pHi remained at 6.1-6.5 for 30-40 min (plateau phase). Thereafter, pHi began to rise and cell death ensued within minutes, as evidenced by nuclear staining with propidium iodide and coincident leakage of BCECF from the cytoplasm. An acidic pHo produced a slightly greater drop in pHi, prolonged the plateau phase of intracellular acidosis, and delayed the onset of cell death. Inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange also prolonged the plateau phase and delayed cell death. In contrast, monensin or substitution of gluconate for Cl- in buffer containing HCO3- abolished the pH gradient across the plasma membrane and shortened cell survival. The results indicate that intracellular acidosis after ATP depletion delays the onset of cell death, whereas reduction of the degree of acidosis accelerates cell killing. We conclude that intracellular acidosis protects against hepatocellular death from ATP depletion, a phenomenon that may represent a protective adaptation against hypoxic and ischemic stress.

Topics: 4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic Acid; 4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid; Acidosis; Amiloride; Animals; Bicarbonates; Carrier Proteins; Cell Survival; Cells, Cultured; Chlorides; Fluoresceins; Gluconates; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Liver; Male; Monensin; Oxygen; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers

Cultured rat hepatocytes were treated with potassium cyanide, an inhibitor of cytochrome oxidase; valinomycin, a K+ ionophore; carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), a protonophore; and the ATP synthetase inhibitor oligomycin. The effect of these agents on the viability of the cells was related to changes in ATP content and the deenergization of the mitochondria. The ATP content was reduced by over 90% by each inhibitor. All of the agents except oligomycin killed the cells within 4 h. With the exception of oligomycin, the mitochondrial membrane potential as measured by the distribution of [3H]triphenylmethylphosphonium collapsed with each of the agents. Monensin, a H+/Na+ ionophore, potentiated the toxicity of cyanide and CCCP, whereas the toxicity of valinomycin was reduced. The effect of cyanide and monesin on the cytoplasmic pH of cultured hepatocytes was measured with the fluorescent probe, 2',7'-biscarboxyethyl-5,6-carboxyfluorescein. Cyanide promptly acidified the cytosol, and the addition of 10 microM monensin caused a rapid alkalinization of the cytosol. A reduction of pH of the culture medium from 7.4 to 6.6 and 6.0 prevented the cell killing both by cyanide alone and by cyanide in the presence of monensin. However, neither monensin nor extracellular acidosis had any effect on the loss of mitochondrial energization in the presence of cyanide. It is concluded that ATP depletion per se is insufficient to explain the cell killing with cyanide, CCCP, and valinomycin. Rather, cell killing is better correlated with a loss of mitochondrial energization. With cyanide an intracellular acidosis interferes with the mechanism that couples collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential to lethal cell injury.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Animals; Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone; Cell Survival; Cells, Cultured; Cytoplasm; Drug Interactions; Energy Metabolism; Fluoresceins; Fluorescent Dyes; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Liver; Male; Membrane Potentials; Mitochondria, Liver; Monensin; Oligomycins; Onium Compounds; Potassium Cyanide; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Trityl Compounds; Valinomycin

A method for the measurement of the cytosolic Na+ concentration in intact synaptosomes is described. This method makes use of a pH sensitive dye (BCECF) that can be loaded into the cytosol and a relatively specific ionophore (monensin) that can exchange Na+ for H+ across the synaptosomal membrane. By setting conditions such that there is no electrochemical potential difference for H+ across the membrane (no membrane potential and pHi = pHo), addition of ionophore would induce a H+ flux only if there is a concentration difference for Na+. Thus, when there is no fluorescence change (no cytosolic pH change) extracellular [Na+] equals intrasynaptosomal [Na+]. The intrasynaptosomal [Na+] concentration was determined to be 7 +/- 3 mM (n = 5; mean +/- S.E.). The results obtained with this fluorescence method are compared with estimates obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry. Limitations and applications of the method are discussed.

Topics: Animals; Brain; Brain Chemistry; Calcium; Cytosol; Fluoresceins; Fluorescent Dyes; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Ion Channels; Monensin; Ouabain; Potassium; Protons; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Sodium; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Spectrophotometry, Atomic; Synaptosomes; Veratridine

The existence and importance of the Na+/H+ exchanger in intracellular pH (pHi) regulation in ovarian cells was studied in acid-loaded avian granulosa cells by monitoring the recovery of normal pHi using a trapped fluorescein derivative as an indicator. The resting pHi of freshly isolated granulosa cells from preovulatory follicles was 6.80 +/- 0.08 when the extracellular pH (pHo) and sodium concentration (Na+o) were 7.3 and 144 mmol/l respectively. While exposure of granulosa cells to high pHo (pHo greater than 7.45) medium shifted the pHi upward with time, incubation of the cells in low pHo (pH less than 6.80) buffer resulted in a significant decrease in pHi. In contrast, pHi remained constant when pHo was varied between the broad range of 6.8-7.4. When the cytoplasm was acidified by treatment with nigericin in choline+ buffer, both the magnitude and rate of recovery of normal pHi was suppressed significantly with decreasing pHo, but increased in high pHo medium. The recovery of pHi was dependent upon the concentration of extracellular sodium, in that the recovery rate and magnitude increased concomitantly with increases in Na+o concentrations, while the recovery was abolished when Na+o was completely replaced with choline+. In addition, the sodium ionophore monensin enhanced the recovery rate of normal pHi in a concentration-dependent manner. This action of monensin was observed only when sodium was present in the incubation medium, indicating that Na+o entry is important for the recovery of normal pHi. Monensin also evoked further cytoplasmic alkalinization in fully recovered cells, with a relative net effect dependent upon the level of Na+o present.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Amiloride; Animals; Carrier Proteins; Chickens; Female; Fluoresceins; Granulosa Cells; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Monensin; Nigericin; Sodium; Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Time Factors

The pH-sensitive, fluorescent, cytoplasmic-trapped dye 2,7-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) has been used to measure intracellular (pHi) and pH electrode to measure extracellular pH (pHo) in suspensions of gastric glands isolated from rabbit stomachs. The fluorescence of BCECF-loaded glands was calibrated in terms of pHi by equilibrating pHo and pHi using ionophores or digitonin and titrating pHo to different values. An APPENDIX is included that covers details of dye calibration and interpretation of fluorescence signals. Glands incubated in NaCl Ringer solution had pHi 7.11. Na+-free Ringer solution caused pHi to decrease reversibly to 6.80. Na+-dependent alkalinization of pHi followed a similar time course to the acidification of pHo. These changes were blocked by 1 mM amiloride. When gland cells were acidified (using two different techniques) realkalinization was completely Na+ dependent but was independent of the presence of Cl-; also, neither high extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) nor high [K+]o plus 10(-5) M valinomycin affected the rates of Na+-dependent alkalinization. A neutral Na+-H+ exchanger was implicated. Glands also exhibited Cl(-)-dependent changes of pHi that were blocked by 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (2 X 10(-4) M). A Cl(-)-OH-(HCO3-) exchanger was indicated. Other studies showed that intracellular buffering capacity was approximately 45 mM (pH-1) and that the apparent proton conductance of gland cell membranes was small.

Topics: 4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic Acid; 4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid; Amiloride; Ammonium Chloride; Animals; Carrier Proteins; Chloride-Bicarbonate Antiporters; Chlorides; Digitonin; Fluoresceins; Gastric Mucosa; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Male; Monensin; Nigericin; Ouabain; Potassium; Rabbits; Rotenone; Sodium; Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers; Trialkyltin Compounds; Valinomycin

We have used the pH-sensitive, fluorescent, cytoplasmic-trapped dye 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) to identify Na+-H+ exchange in gastric glands isolated from rabbit stomachs by high-pressure perfusion and collagenase digestion. The fluorescence of BCECF-loaded glands was calibrated in terms of cytosolic pH (pHc) by permeabilizing the cell membranes and titrating the extracellular solution to different pH values. In one set of experiments in Cl--free solutions, glands were treated with 0.1 mM ouabain for 45 min to increase cellular cytosolic molar sodium ion concentration [( Na+]c) to high levels. Subsequent suspension of these cells in a Na+-free Ringer's solution (to generate [Na+]c greater than [Na+]o) caused cells to acidify rapidly (t1/2 approximately equal to 60 sec) from pHc approximately equal to 7.15 to pHc approximately equal to 6.55. Subsequent addition of 100 mM Na+ or Li+, but not K+, caused cells rapidly to increase pHc (t1/2 approximately equal to 30 sec) toward the control value. These changes of pHc were blocked when ouabain-treated glands had been preequilibrated for 10 min with 1 mM amiloride, and this block was overcome by adding 10 microM monensin (an ionophore that artificially exchanges Na+ for H+). In another set of experiments in Cl--containing Ringer's solution, glands were acid-loaded by treatment with 30 mM NH4Cl for 4 min, followed by washing the NH4Cl from the solutions. Under these conditions, pHc decreased from 7.02 to approximately equal to 6.5; subsequent alkalinization of cells back to control pHc was stimulated by Na+ (t1/2 approximately equal to 60 sec), but not K+, and was inhibited by 1 mM amiloride. This amiloride block also was overcome by further addition of 10 microM monensin. We conclude that gastric glands contain a Na+-H+ exchanger that appears independent of Cl-, not activated by K+, and blocked by 1 mM amiloride. This exchanger is likely localized to the serosal membrane of gland cells. Na+-H+ exchange may play an important role in regulation of pHc in oxyntic and chief cells exposed to high luminal acidity, where back diffusion of H+ into cells may occur at rapid rates.

Topics: Amiloride; Ammonium Chloride; Animals; Carrier Proteins; Exocrine Glands; Fluoresceins; Fluorescent Dyes; Gastric Mucosa; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Monensin; Rabbits; Sodium; Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers; Spectrometry, Fluorescence