Hypoxia decreases proteins involved in epithelial electrolyte transport in A549 cells and rat lung

Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2000 Dec;279(6):L1110-9. doi: 10.1152/ajplung.2000.279.6.L1110.

Abstract

Fluid reabsorption from alveolar space is driven by active Na reabsorption via epithelial Na channels (ENaCs) and Na-K-ATPase. Both are inhibited by hypoxia. Here we tested whether hypoxia decreases Na transport by decreasing the number of copies of transporters in alveolar epithelial cells and in lungs of hypoxic rats. Membrane fractions were prepared from A549 cells exposed to hypoxia (3% O(2)) as well as from whole lung tissue and alveolar type II cells from rats exposed to hypoxia. Transport proteins were measured by Western blot analysis. In A549 cells, alpha(1)- and beta(1)-Na-K-ATPase, Na/K/2Cl cotransport, and ENaC proteins decreased during hypoxia. In whole lung tissue, alpha(1)-Na-K-ATPase and Na/K/2Cl cotransport decreased. alpha- and beta-ENaC mRNAs also decreased in hypoxic lungs. Similar results were seen in alveolar type II cells from hypoxic rats. These results indicate a slow decrease in the amount of Na-transporting proteins in alveolar epithelial cells during exposure to hypoxia that also occurs in vivo in lungs from hypoxic animals. The reduced number of transporters might account for the decreased transport activity and impaired edema clearance in hypoxic lungs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar
  • Adenosine Diphosphate / analysis
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / analysis
  • Animals
  • Biological Transport / physiology
  • Blotting, Western
  • Carrier Proteins / analysis
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Electrolytes / metabolism*
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology
  • Epithelial Cells / chemistry
  • Epithelial Cells / enzymology
  • Epithelial Sodium Channels
  • Gene Expression / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / metabolism*
  • Lung Neoplasms
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / chemistry
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / cytology
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / metabolism
  • Pulmonary Edema / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Respiratory Mucosa / chemistry
  • Respiratory Mucosa / cytology
  • Respiratory Mucosa / metabolism*
  • Sodium Channels / analysis
  • Sodium Channels / genetics
  • Sodium Channels / metabolism*
  • Sodium-Potassium-Chloride Symporters
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / analysis
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / genetics
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / metabolism*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / metabolism
  • Water / analysis

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Electrolytes
  • Epithelial Sodium Channels
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Sodium Channels
  • Sodium-Potassium-Chloride Symporters
  • Water
  • Adenosine Diphosphate
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase