Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 289: C138-C147, 2005.
First published February 9, 2005; doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00190.2004
0363-6143/05 $8.00
MEMBRANE TRANSPORTERS, ION CHANNELS, AND PUMPS
Cl secretory effects of EBIO in the rabbit conjunctival epithelium
Lawrence J. Alvarez,1
Aldo C. Zamudio,1 and
Oscar A. Candia1,2
Departments of 1Ophthalmology and 2Physiology and Biophysics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York
Submitted 15 April 2004
; accepted in final form 3 February 2005
Experiments were conducted to determine whether the Cl secretagogue, 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone (EBIO), stimulates Cl transport in the rabbit conjunctival epithelium. For this study, epithelia were isolated in an Ussing-type chamber under short-circuit conditions. The effects of EBIO on the short-circuit current (Isc) and transepithelial resistance (Rt) were measured under physiological conditions, as well as in experiments with altered electrolyte concentrations. Addition of 0.5 mM EBIO to the apical bath stimulated the control Isc by 64% and reduced Rt by 21% (P < 0.05; paired data). Under Cl-free conditions, Isc stimulation using EBIO was markedly attenuated. In the presence of an apical-to-basolateral K+ gradient and permeabilization of the apical membrane, the majority of the Isc reflected the transcellular movement of K+ via basolateral K+ channels. Under these conditions, EBIO in combination with A23187 elicited nearly instantaneous 6090% increases in Isc that were sensitive to the calmodulin antagonist calmidazolium and the K+ channel blocker tetraethyl ammonium. In the presence of an apical-to-basolateral Cl gradient and nystatin permeabilization of the basolateral aspect, EBIO increased the Cl-dependent Isc, an effect prevented by the channel blocker glibenclamide (0.3 mM). The latter compound also was used to determine the proportion of EBIO-evoked unidirectional 36Cl fluxes in the presence of the Cl gradient that traversed the epithelium transcellularly. Overall, EBIO activated apical Cl channels and basolateral K+ channels (presumably those that are Ca2+ dependent), thereby suggesting that this compound, or related derivatives, may be suitable as topical agents to stimulate fluid transport across the tissue in individuals with lacrimal gland deficiencies.
Ussing chamber; short-circuit current; electrolyte transport; chloride secretagogue; potassium conductance; 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone; 1,10-phenanthroline
Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: L. J. Alvarez, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 100th St. and 5th Ave., New York, NY 10029 (e-mail: larry.alvarez{at}mssm.edu)
Copyright © 2005 by the American Physiological Society.