Efflux of dietary flavonoid quercetin 4'-beta-glucoside across human intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayers by apical multidrug resistance-associated protein-2.

Although there is strong evidence to suggest that flavonoid consumption is beneficial to human health, the extent to which flavonoids are absorbed and the mechanisms involved are controversial. Contrary to common dogma, we previously demonstrated that quercetin 4'-beta-glucoside, the predominant form of the most abundant dietary flavonoid, quercetin, was not absorbed across Caco-2 cell monolayers. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that a specific efflux transporter is responsible for this lack of absorption. Transport of quercetin 4'-beta-glucoside, alone or with inhibitors, was examined with Caco-2 cell monolayers. In addition, subcellular localization of the multidrug resistance-associated proteins MRP1 and MRP2 was examined by immunofluorescent confocal microscopy. Efflux of quercetin 4'-beta-glucoside, a saturable process, was not altered by verapamil, a P-glycoprotein inhibitor, but was competitively inhibited by MK-571, an MRP inhibitor. These data in combination with immunofluorescent localization of MRP2 to the apical membrane support a role for MRP2 in the intestinal transcellular efflux of quercetin 4'-beta-glucoside. These results suggest a role for MRP2 in the transport of a new class of agents, dietary glucosides.

Assessment of risk reduction strategies for the management of agricultural nonpoint source pesticide runoff in estuarine ecosystems.

Agricultural nonpoint source (NPS) runoff may result in significant discharges of pesticides, suspended sediments, and fertilizers into estuarine habitats adjacent to agricultural areas or downstream from agricultural watersheds. Exposure of estuarine fin fish and shellfish to toxic levels of pesticides may occur, resulting in significant declines in field populations. Integrated pest management (IPM), best management practices (BMP), and retention ponds (RP) are risk management tools that have been proposed to reduce the contaminant risk from agricultural NPS runoff into estuarine ecosystems. Field studies were conducted at three sites within coastal estuarine ecosystems of South Carolina (SC) from 1985 to 1990 that varied in terms of the amount and degree of risk reduction strategies employed. An intensively managed (IPM, BMP, and RP) agricultural treatment site (TRT) was studied for pesticide runoff impacts. From 1985 to 1987, there were minimal (some IPM and BMP) management activities at TRT, but from 1988 to 1990, TRT was managed using an intensive risk reduction strategy. A second unmanaged agricultural growing area, Kiawah (KWA), was also studied and compared with TRT in terms of pesticide runoff and the resulting impacts on grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) and mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus). A third, non-agricultural, reference site (CTL) was used for comparing results from the managed and unmanaged agricultural sites. In situ toxicity tests and field samples of the grass shrimp populations were conducted at each site and compared in terms of survival and the effectiveness of current risk reduction strategies. Significant runoff of insecticides (azinphosmethyl, endosulfan, and fenvalerate) along with several fish kills were observed at TRT prior to the implementation of rigorous risk reduction methods. A significant reduction of in stream pesticide concentrations (up to 90%) was observed at TRT following the implementation of strict NPS runoff controls, which greatly reduced impacts on estuarine fish and shellfish. At the unmanaged KWA, continued impacts due to the runoff of these insecticides were observed, along with several fish kills. Additional monitoring indicated that gravid female grass shrimp populations from KWA had elevated levels of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a multidrug resistance protein, which may transport various pesticides across cellular membranes. Comparison of field results with laboratory toxicity tests established that pesticide exposure was the primary cause of observed field impacts at each site. These findings clearly indicate the value of an integrated risk reduction strategy (BMP, IPM, and RP) for minimizing impacts from NPS agricultural pesticide runoff.

Excretory transport of xenobiotics by dogfish shark rectal gland tubules.

Marine elasmobranch rectal gland is a specialized, osmoregulatory organ composed of numerous blind-ended, branched tubules emptying into a central duct. To date, NaCl excretion has been its only described function. Here we use isolated rectal gland tubule fragments from dogfish shark (Squalus acanthias), fluorescent xenobiotics, and confocal microscopy to describe a second function, xenobiotic excretion. Isolated rectal gland tubules rapidly transported the fluorescent organic anion sulforhodamine 101 from bath to lumen. Luminal accumulation was concentrative, saturable, and inhibited by cyclosporin A (CSA), chlorodinitrobenzene, leukotriene C4, and KCN. Inhibitors of renal organic anion transport (probenecid, p-aminohippurate), organic cation transport (tetraethylammonium and verapamil), and P-glycoprotein (verapamil) were without effect. Cellular accumulation of sulforhodamine 101 was not concentrative, saturable, or inhibitable. Rectal gland tubules did not secrete fluorescein, daunomycin, or a fluorescent CSA derivative. Finally, frozen rectal gland sections stained with an antibody to a hepatic canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT or MRP2) showed heavy and specific staining on the luminal membrane of the epithelial cells. We conclude that rectal gland is capable of active and specific excretion of xenobiotics and that such transport is mediated by a shark analog of MRP2, an ATP-driven xenobiotic transporter, but not by P-glycoprotein.

Ultrastructural and cytochemical characterization of cultured dogfish shark rectal gland cells.

The dogfish shark rectal gland (SRG) is histologically complex, containing connective, nerve, and smooth muscle tissue and at least three types of epithelial cells: secretory tubule, central duct, and endothelial. This cellular heterogeneity precludes studies of the intact SRG from distinguishing direct tubular effects of mediators that modulate chloride secretion from their indirect effects on nonepithelial cells such as neurons. Primary SRG cultures express high levels of secretagogue-stimulated chloride secretion, suggesting that SRG cells retain a significant level of cytodifferentiation in vitro. However, because nontubular cells could contaminate these cultures, the question of whether secretagogues activate chloride secretion through direct or indirect effects on tubular epithelial cells remains unresolved. To address this issue, detailed ultrastructural and cytochemical analyses of SRG cultures were carried out to assess the level of cellular heterogeneity and the degree of cytodifferentiation expressed by SRG cells in vitro. The results demonstrate that, after 15 days, primary SRG monolayer cultures are composed exclusively of tubular epithelial cells with no detectable contamination by central duct cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, or neurons. Tubular epithelial cells express most of the structural features of native SRG cells, including numerous mitochondria, massive basolateral surface amplification, complex tight junctions, and an extensive tubulovesicular system in the apical cytoplasm. Cultured SRG cells also display a striking level of polarization of cytoplasmic organelles and plasma membrane secretagogue receptors. These results account for the exceptionally high rates of electrogenic chloride secretion by SRG tubular epithelial cells in vitro and confirm that the effects of secretagogues on transport activity reflect their direct interaction with tubular epithelial cells.

Neuropeptide Y inhibits chloride secretion in the shark rectal gland.

We studied the effects of the 36-amino acid peptide, neuropeptide Y (NPY), on salt secretion by the rectal gland of Squalus acanthias. We used three preparations: whole isolated perfused glands, freshly prepared separated rectal gland tubules, and confluent monolayers of cultured rectal gland cells. In perfused glands NPY inhibited secretion stimulated by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), forskolin, or adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and theophylline. Maximal inhibition of 63 +/- 3.4% was seen at 3 x 10(-8) M NPY, with half-maximal effect at 3 x 10(-9) M. NPY did not inhibit the basal activity of rectal gland adenylate cyclase or that stimulated by VIP. The inhibitory action of NPY was not prevented by procaine, nifedipine, or diltiazem, suggesting that it was not secondary to the release of somatostatin or other unknown neurotransmitters from rectal gland nerves. In confirmation, somatostatin was not detected in the venous effluent after administration of NPY. NPY also inhibited transport-related oxygen consumption in separated rectal gland tubules and inhibited short-circuit current generated by confluent monolayers of primary cultures of rectal gland cells. The results indicate that NPY inhibits chloride secretion by a direct action on cells of the shark rectal gland at a site distal to the generation of cAMP.

Video-enhanced microscopy of organelle movement in an intact epithelium.

Digitally enhanced video microscopy has provided improved optical resolution in the study of intracellular organelle/particle movement, particularly in extruded axoplasm and certain thin single cell systems. We report here, for the first time, particle movement in an intact, isolated epithelium, the killifish proximal convoluted tubule. Cytoplasmic particles exhibited predominantly unidirectional linear movement approaching several microns in length, sometimes with multiple turns. The velocities of 34 particles measured in 11 cells averaged 0.29 microns/sec (range, 0.007-3.1 microns/sec). Microtubules--the well-established basis for organelle movement in cells--were present but were sparsely represented in electron micrographs of these cells. Video-enhanced microscopic techniques can now be applied to the study of organelle/particle movement in an intact epithelium.

Atriopeptin stimulates chloride secretion in cultured shark rectal gland cells.

Monolayer cultures of shark rectal gland (SRG) epithelial cells were treated with atriopeptin (AP), and the effects on Cl- secretion and intracellular guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) accumulation were examined. Basolateral or apical exposure to 10(-7) M AP markedly stimulated (8-fold) Cl(-)-dependent, bumetanide-sensitive, short-circuit current (Isc). The AP-stimulated Isc exhibited transient oscillations before reaching a steady state. This behavior is not observed when Isc is activated by other secretagogues such as vasoactive intestinal peptide, 2-chloroadenosine, forskolin, or ionomycin. Intracellular cGMP was concomitantly elevated (10-fold) by 10(-7) M AP. Both Isc stimulation and cGMP accumulation responses exhibited a similar dose dependency beginning at an AP concentration of 1 nM. The bilateral response to AP suggests the presence of receptors on both apical and basolateral plasma membranes. These results are the first demonstration of a direct effect of AP on Cl(-)-secreting epithelial cells. These data also suggest a role for cGMP in mediating Cl- secretion in these cells.

Surface ultrastructure of the gill arch of the killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, from seawater and freshwater, with special reference to the morphology of apical crypts of chloride cells.

The surface ultrastructure of the gill arches of the killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, adapted to seawater or freshwater, was found to be similar to that reported for other euryhaline teleosts. Two rows of gill filaments (about 42 filaments per row) extended posterolaterally, and two rows of gill rakers (about 10 rakers per row) extended anteromedially from each arch. Leaf-like respiratory lamellae protruded along both sides of each filament, from its base to its apex. The distributions, sizes, and numbers of various surface cells and structures were also determined. All surfaces were covered by a mosaic of pavement cells, which measured about 7 X 4 microns and exhibited concentrically arranged surface ridges. Taste buds were especially prominent on the rakers and the pharyngeal surfaces of the first and second gill arches, but were often replaced by horny spines on the third and fourth gill arches. Apical crypts of chloride cells occurred mostly on the surfaces of the gill filaments adjacent to the afferent artery of the filament. In seawater adapted killifish, crypts resembled narrow, deep holes along the borders of adjacent pavement cells, had openings of about 2 microns2, and occurred at a frequency of about 1 per 70 microns2 of surface area. In freshwater fish, the crypts usually had larger openings (about 10 microns2), occurred less frequently (1 per 123 microns2), and exhibited many cellular projections in their interiors. Changes in crypt morphology may be related to the ion transport function of chloride cells.

Colonic glycoprotein secretion and calmodulin-acceptor proteins in the reserpine-treated rat.

The rate of radioactive precursor-labeled colonic glycoprotein secretion in chronically reserpine-treated versus saline-injected control rats was examined. Everted colonic sacs prepared from reserpine-treated rats were found to be hypersecretory, exhibiting a basal rate of glycoprotein secretion that was threefold higher than control everted sacs. Furthermore, glycoprotein secretion in control tissue was stimulated by the secretagogue carbachol, and this stimulation was precluded by 10 microM trifluoperazine, the calmodulin antagonist. Reserpine-treated tissue, in contrast, was refractory to treatment with carbachol as well as trifluoperazine. While reserpine-treated and control colonic mucosae were demonstrated to contain equivalent levels of calmodulin via radioimmunoassay, reserpine-treated tissue was determined to lack two calmodulin-acceptor proteins with molecular weights of 29 and 47 kilodaltons. The data suggest that the mechanism by which reserpine elicits this cystic fibrosislike, hypersecretory state of glycoprotein secretion within the colonic mucosa entails the loss of calmodulin function in the regulation of this secretory process. We speculate that the biochemical defect present in cystic fibrosis could also entail such a loss of calmodulin function in the regulation of glycoprotein secretion.

Seasonal variations in the fine structure of the Necturus maculosus urinary bladder epithelium: low transporters and high transporters.

Although the urinary bladder of Necturus maculosus provides an important model system for studying the mechanisms of active Na absorption, little critical attention has been paid to the fine structure of its epithelium. Moreover, two distinct groups of urinary bladders, low and high Na transporters, have been described based on short-circuit current or transepithelial potential difference. In the present study, over an 11-month period, stable electrical parameters (short-circuit current, transepithelial potential difference, and resistance) were recorded from 63 chamber-mounted bladders. Analysis of these parameters revealed a highly significant difference between two groups (low transporters and high transporters) occurring at different times of the year. Consistent with these data, in urine collected from the bladders, the Na concentration in low transporters was significantly higher than that in high transporters. A subpopulation of these bladders was subsequently fixed and examined at the light and/or electron microscopic level. Low-transporting bladders were characterized unequivocally by a thin, stratified squamous epithelium only 6-15 micron thick. High-transporting bladders were composed predominantly of columnar-shaped granular cells up to 70 micron in height, with ciliated, mitochondria-rich, and basal cells present in small numbers. There is thus a correlation between transport activity, as measured by electrophysiological techniques and urine sodium analysis, and the structure of the tissue. Moreover, these parameters exhibit significant seasonal variation, the underlying mechanisms of which remain obscure.

Identification and quantification of mitochondria-rich cells in transporting epithelia.

Fluorescent dyes specific for mitochondria have become important tools in the study of transporting epithelia. These dyes permit the localization and quantification of mitochondria-rich (MR) cells in these epithelia. To determine the specificity of the dye, dimethylaminostyrylmethylpyridiniumiodine ( DASPMI ), we combined fluorescence microscopy of this dye with the ultrastructural localization of the mitochondrial enzyme, cytochrome oxidase. Labeled cells were traced from the fluorescence-microscopic to the electron-microscopic level by devising several novel technical procedures. This new methodology assures a critical assessment of the specificity of fluorescent mitochondrial dyes in heterogeneous epithelia. Confirmation of DASPMI specificity allows the unequivocal identification of MR chloride cells in two epithelia in the head region of Fundulus heteroclitus and validates linear regression analysis of chloride cell number and short-circuit current in this species. In addition, this method provides a permanent, flat whole mount of labeled cells for morphological studies with the light microscope and with the scanning and transmission electron microscopes.

Reserpine-induced alterations in mucus production and calmodulin-binding proteins in a human epithelial cell line.

The characterization of a mucus-producing human cell line (HC-84) derived from a colon carcinoma and its response to in vitro reserpine treatment is reported. Mucous granules were demonstrated within these cells on the basis of electron microscopic examination and incorporation of [3H]glucosamine with subsequent autoradiographic analysis. Fluorographic analysis of total HC-84 cell protein after incubation with [3H]glucosamine indicated that the majority of tritium was incorporated into two proteins with molecular weights of 115 and 120 kD. When total HC-84 protein was subjected to immuno-blot analysis utilizing rabbit antibody against human intestinal mucus, only these two proteins (115K and 120K) reacted positively, indicating a direct correlation between [3H]glucosamine incorporation and mucus production. Immunofluorescence localization of mucus within HC-84 cells utilizing this same antibody resulted in a punctate pattern of fluorescence within the cytoplasm. Treatment of HC-84 cells with 30 microM reserpine for 7 days resulted in a three-fold increase in mucus production compared with controls. There was also a concomitant loss of a 30K calmodulin-binding protein in cells treated with reserpine. These cells represent a useful system for studying the effect of reserpine on the processes of mucus synthesis and secretion.

Inhibition of active sodium transport by cytochalasin B in rat jejunum in vitro.

The effects of cytochalasin B on electrophysiological properties and sodium transport in rat jejunum in vitro are described. Stripped paired rat jejunal segments were maintained in Ussing chambers with Leibovitz's (L-15) tissue culture medium bubbled with 100% oxygen. L-15 medium contains galactose as the only sugar, and an assortment of amino acids and cofactors to nourish the tissue. Electrophysiological parameters of short-circuit current (Isc) and transepithelial potential difference could be maintained for up to 4 h in control tissues. Upon application of cytochalasin B (20 micrograms/ml), on the mucosal side, Isc and potential difference fell within 1 h from 1.93 +/- 0.12 to 1.09 +/- 0.14 (mean +/- S.E.) muequiv./cm2 per h and from 5 to 2.5 mV. Tissue resistance remained unchanged at approx. 110 omega X cm2 for up to 4 h. 22Na net flux was 4.1 +/- 0.9 muequiv./cm2 per h during the last control period and fell to zero within 1 h after cytochalasin B treatment. Transmission electron micrographs revealed no gross morphological changes at this dose. Absorptive junctional morphology was apparently not altered by cytochalasin B treatment, a finding which was consistent with the stable transepithelial electrical resistance observed during exposure to this drug. Active sodium transport processes coupled to hexose, amino acid, and chloride movements are all possible in L-15 medium. However, following exposure to 20 micrograms/ml cytochalasin B, all net sodium transport is completely inhibited. The data are consistent with the hypothesis of a common regulator for active sodium transport processes which is modulated through structural changes in cytoskeletal organization.

Structural diversity of occluding junctions in the low-resistance chloride-secreting opercular epithelium of seawater-adapted killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus).

The structural features of the chloride-secreting opercular epithelium of seawater-adapted killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) were examined by thin-section and freeze-fracture electron microscopy, with particular emphasis on the morphological appearance of occluding junctions. This epithelium is a flat sheet consisting predominantly of groups of mitochondriarich chloride cells with their apices associated to form apical crypts. These multicellular groups are interspersed in an otherwise continuous pavement cell epithelial lining. The epithelium may be mounted in Ussing-type chambers, which allow ready access to mucosal and serosal solutions and measurement of electrocal properties. The mean short-circuit current, potential difference (mucosal-side negative), and DC resistance for 19 opercular epithelia were, respectively, 120.0 +/- 18.2 microA/cm2, 12.3 +/- 1.7 mV, and 132.5 +/- 26.4 omega cm2. Short-circuit current, a direct measure of Cl- transport, was inhibited by ouabain (5 micron) when introduced on the serosal side, but not when applied to the mucosal side alone. Autoradiographic analysis of [3H]-ouabain-binding sites demonstrated that Na+,K+-ATPase was localized exclusively to basolateral membranes of chloride cells; pavement cells were unlabeled. Occluding junctions between adjacent chloride cells were remarkably shallow (20-25 nm), consisting of two parallel and juxtaposed junctional strands. Junctional interactions between pavement cells or between pavement cells and chloride cells were considerably more elaborate, extending 0.3-0.5 micron in depth and consisting of five or more interlocking junctional strands. Chloride cells at the lateral margins of crypts make simple junctional contacts with neighboring chloride cells and extensive junctions with contiguous pavement cells. Accordingly, in this heterogeneous epithelium, only junctions between Na+,K+-ATPase-rich chloride cells are shallow. Apical crypts may serve, therefore, as focal areas of high cation conductivity across the junctional route. This view is consistent with the electrical data showing that transmural resistance across the opercular eptihelium is low, and with recent studies demonstrating that transepithelial Na+ fluxes are passive. The simplicity of these junctions parallels that described recently for secretory cells of avian salt gland (Riddle and Ernst, 1979, J. Membr. Biol., 45:21-35) and elasmobranch rectal gland (Ernst et al., 1979, J. Cell Biol., 83:(2, Pt. 2):83 a[Abstr.]) and lends morphological support to the concept that paracellular ion permeation plays a central role in ouabain-sensitive transepithelial NaCl secretion.

Ion-secreting epithelia: chloride cells in the head region of Fundulus heteroclitus.

Transporting cells of ion-secreting epithelia are characterized by similar morphological patterns that include rich supplies of mitochondria, exotic patterns of surface amplification, and basolateral, plasma-membrane location of Na-K-ATPase, even though the direction of sodium transport across these epithelia is toward the apical side. Several new models for NaCl secretion propose that sodium, extruded into the intercellular space by Na-K-ATPase, reaches the apical side via the zonulae occludentes. Very recent freeze-fracture electron microscopy of avian salt gland and teleost chloride cells reveals that transporting cells are joined by simple, shallow zonulae occludentes. These observations lend morphological support to the concept that paracellular sodium ion permeation plays a central role in secretion. The chloride ion may traverse the epithelium via a transcellular route, entering the cell at the basolateral membrane by a chloride carrier linked to the cotransport of sodium down its electrochemical gradient into the cell. Finally, the chloride ion may exit the cell across the apical membrane by electrical forces. This review summarizes biochemical, morphological, and electrophysiological aspects of these new secretory models and the important contribution of a half century of research on teleost osmoregulatory mechanisms, including the chloride cell, to our understanding of sodium and chloride transport across secretory epithelia.

Elasmobranch rectal gland cell: autoradiographic localization of [3H]ouabain-sensitive Na, K-ATPase in rectal gland of dogfish, Squalus acanthias.

Specific binding of radiolabeled inhibitor was employed to localize the Na-pump sites (Na,K-ATPase) in rectal gland epithelium, a NaCl-secreting osmoregulatory tissue which is particularly rich in pump sites. Slices of gland tissue from spiny dogfish were incubated in suitable [3H]ouabain-containing media and then prepared for Na,K-ATPase assay, measurement of radiolabel binding, or quantitative freeze-dry autoradiography at the light microscope level. Gross freezing or drying artifacts were excluded by comparison with additional aldehyde-fixed slices. Characterization experiments demonstrated high-affinity binding which correlated with Na,K-ATPase inhibition and half-saturated at approximately 5 microM [3H]ouabain. At this concentration, the normal half-loading time was approximately 1 h and low-affinity binding to nonspecific sites was negligible. Autoradiographs from both 1- and 4-h incubated slices showed approximately 85% of the bound [3H]ouabain to be localized within a 1-micrometer wide boundary region where the highly infolded basal-lateral cell membrane are closest to the mitochondria. These results establish that most of the enormous Na,K-ATPase activity associated with rectal gland epithelium is in the basal-lateral cell membrane facing interstitial fluid and not in the luminal membrane facing secreted fluid. Moreover, distribution along the basal-lateral membrane appears to be nonuniform with a higher density of enzyme sites close to mitochondria.