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RECEPTORS AND SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION
Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
Submitted 7 July 2006 ; accepted in final form 18 January 2007
Mammary epithelia produce an isotonic, low-Na+ fluid that is rich in nutrients. Mechanisms that account for the low electrolyte concentration have not been elucidated, although amiloride-sensitive ion transport has been reported in some situations. We hypothesized that corticosteroid exposure modulates epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) expression and/or activity in bovine mammary epithelial cells. BME-UV cells were grown to confluent monolayers on permeable supports with a standard basolateral medium and apical medium of low-electrolyte, high-lactose composition that resembles the ionic composition of milk. Ion transport was assessed in modified Ussing flux chambers. Exposure to glucocorticoids (dexamethasone, cortisol, or prednisolone), but not aldosterone, increased short-circuit current (Isc), a sensitive measure of net ion transport, whereas apical exposure to amiloride or benzamil reduced corticosteroid-induced Isc close to basal levels. Quantitative RT-PCR indicated a glucocorticoid-induced increase in mRNA for
- and
-ENaC, whereas
-ENaC mRNA expression was only mildly affected. Exposure to mifepristone (a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist), but not spironolactone (a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist), precluded both the corticosteroid-induced elevation in amiloride-sensitive Isc and the induced changes in
- and
-ENaC mRNA. We conclude that Na+ movement across mammary epithelia is modulated by corticosteroids via a glucocorticoid receptor-mediated mechanism that regulates the expression of the
- and
-subunits of ENaC. ENaC expression and activity could account for the low Na+ concentration that is typical of milk.
short-circuit current; apical cation concentration; corticosteroids; mastitis; epithelial Na+ channel subunits
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