Extracellular UTP stimulates electrogenic bicarbonate secretion across CFTR knockout gallbladder epithelium

Abstract

The loss of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-mediated transepithelial HCO3 − secretion contributes to the pathogenesis of pancreatic and biliary disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Recent studies have investigated P2Y2 nucleotide receptor agonists, e.g., UTP, as a means to bypass the CFTR defect by stimulating Ca2+-activated Cl− secretion. However, the value of this treatment in facilitating transepithelial HCO3 − secretion is unknown. Gallbladder mucosae from CFTR knockout mice were used to isolate the Ca2+-dependent anion conductance during activation of luminal P2Y2receptors. In Ussing chamber studies, UTP stimulated a transient peak in short-circuit current ( I sc) that declined to a stable plateau phase lasting 30–60 min. The plateau I sc after UTP was Cl− independent, HCO3 − dependent, insensitive to bumetanide, and blocked by luminal DIDS. In pH stat studies, luminal UTP increased both I sc and serosal-to-mucosal HCO3 − flux ( J s→m) during a 30-min period. Substitution of Cl− with gluconate in the luminal bath to inhibit Cl−/HCO3 −exchange did not prevent the increase in J s→mand I sc during UTP. In contrast, luminal DIDS completely inhibited UTP-stimulated increases in J s→m and I sc. We conclude that P2Y2 receptor activation results in a sustained (30–60 min) increase in electrogenic HCO3 − secretion that is mediated via an intracellular Ca2+-dependent anion conductance in CF gallbladder.