Mechanosensitive Cl- secretion in biliary epithelium mediated through TMEM16A.

Bile formation by the liver is initiated by canalicular transport at the hepatocyte membrane, leading to an increase in ductular bile flow. Thus, bile duct epithelial cells (cholangiocytes), which contribute to the volume and dilution of bile through regulated Cl(-) transport, are exposed to changes in flow and shear force at the apical membrane. The aim of the present study was to determine if fluid flow, or shear stress, is a signal regulating cholangiocyte transport. The results demonstrate that, in human and mouse biliary cells, fluid flow, or shear, increases Cl(-) currents and identify TMEM16A, a Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channel, as the operative channel. Furthermore, activation of TMEM16A by flow is dependent on PKCα through a process involving extracellular ATP, binding purinergic P2 receptors, and increases in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. These studies represent the initial characterization of mechanosensitive Cl(-) currents mediated by TMEM16A. Identification of this novel mechanosensitive secretory pathway provides new insight into bile formation and suggests new therapeutic targets to enhance bile formation in the treatment of cholestatic liver disorders.

Regulation of purinergic signaling in biliary epithelial cells by exocytosis of SLC17A9-dependent ATP-enriched vesicles.

ATP in bile is a potent secretogogue, stimulating biliary epithelial cell (BEC) secretion through binding apical purinergic receptors. In response to mechanosensitive stimuli, BECs release ATP into bile, although the cellular basis of ATP release is unknown. The aims of this study in human and mouse BECs were to determine whether ATP release occurs via exocytosis of ATP-enriched vesicles and to elucidate the potential role of the vesicular nucleotide transporter SLC17A9 in purinergic signaling. Dynamic, multiscale, live cell imaging (confocal and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and a luminescence detection system with a high sensitivity charge-coupled device camera) was utilized to detect vesicular ATP release from cell populations, single cells, and the submembrane space of a single cell. In response to increases in cell volume, BECs release ATP, which was dependent on intact microtubules and vesicular trafficking pathways. ATP release occurred as stochastic point source bursts of luminescence consistent with exocytic events. Parallel studies identified ATP-enriched vesicles ranging in size from 0.4 to 1 µm that underwent fusion and release in response to increases in cell volume in a protein kinase C-dependent manner. Present in all models, SLC17A9 contributed to ATP vesicle formation and regulated ATP release. The findings are consistent with the existence of an SLC17A9-dependent ATP-enriched vesicular pool in biliary epithelium that undergoes regulated exocytosis to initiate purinergic signaling.

Adenosine triphosphate release and purinergic (P2) receptor-mediated secretion in small and large mouse cholangiocytes.

UNLABELLED: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is released from cholangiocytes into bile and is a potent secretogogue by increasing intracellular Ca²(+) and stimulating fluid and electrolyte secretion via binding purinergic (P2) receptors on the apical membrane. Although morphological differences exist between small and large cholangiocytes (lining small and large bile ducts, respectively), the role of P2 signaling has not been previously evaluated along the intrahepatic biliary epithelium. The aim of these studies therefore was to characterize ATP release and P2-signaling pathways in small (MSC) and large (MLC) mouse cholangiocytes. The findings reveal that both MSCs and MLCs express P2 receptors, including P2X4 and P2Y2. Exposure to extracellular nucleotides (ATP, uridine triphosphate, or 2',3'-O-[4-benzoyl-benzoyl]-ATP) caused a rapid increase in intracellular Ca²(+) concentration and in transepithelial secretion (I(sc)) in both cell types, which was inhibited by the Cl(-) channel blockers 5-nitro-2-(-3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB) or niflumic acid. In response to mechanical stimulation (flow/shear or cell swelling secondary to hypotonic exposure), both MSCs and MLCs exhibited a significant increase in the rate of exocytosis, which was paralleled by an increase in ATP release. Mechanosensitive ATP release was two-fold greater in MSCs compared to MLCs. ATP release was significantly inhibited by disruption of vesicular trafficking by monensin in both cell types. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the existence of a P2 signaling axis along intrahepatic biliary ducts with the "upstream" MSCs releasing ATP, which can serve as a paracrine signaling molecule to "downstream" MLCs stimulating Ca²(+)-dependent secretion. Additionally, in MSCs, which do not express the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, Ca²(+)-activated Cl(-) efflux in response to extracellular nucleotides represents the first secretory pathway clearly identified in these cholangiocytes derived from the small intrahepatic ducts.

Extracellular nucleotides stimulate Cl- currents in biliary epithelia through receptor-mediated IP3 and Ca2+ release.

Extracellular ATP regulates bile formation by binding to P2 receptors on cholangiocytes and stimulating transepithelial Cl(-) secretion. However, the specific signaling pathways linking receptor binding to Cl(-) channel activation are not known. Consequently, the aim of these studies in human Mz-Cha-1 biliary cells and normal rat cholangiocyte monolayers was to assess the intracellular pathways responsible for ATP-stimulated increases in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and membrane Cl(-) permeability. Exposure of cells to ATP resulted in a rapid increase in [Ca(2+)](i) and activation of membrane Cl(-) currents; both responses were abolished by prior depletion of intracellular Ca(2+). ATP-stimulated Cl(-) currents demonstrated mild outward rectification, reversal at E(Cl(-)), and a single-channel conductance of approximately 17 pS, where E is the equilibrium potential. The conductance response to ATP was inhibited by the Cl(-) channel inhibitors NPPB and DIDS but not the CFTR inhibitor CFTR(inh)-172. Both ATP-stimulated increases in [Ca(2+)](i) and Cl(-) channel activity were inhibited by the P2Y receptor antagonist suramin. The PLC inhibitor U73122 and the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) receptor inhibitor 2-APB both blocked the ATP-stimulated increase in [Ca(2+)](i) and membrane Cl(-) currents. Intracellular dialysis with purified IP3 activated Cl(-) currents with identical properties to those activated by ATP. Exposure of normal rat cholangiocyte monolayers to ATP increased short-circuit currents (I(sc)), reflecting transepithelial secretion. The I(sc) was unaffected by CFTR(inh)-172 but was significantly inhibited by U73122 or 2-APB. In summary, these findings indicate that the apical P2Y-IP3 receptor signaling complex is a dominant pathway mediating biliary epithelial Cl(-) transport and, therefore, may represent a potential target for increasing secretion in the treatment of cholestatic liver disease.

Fluid flow induces mechanosensitive ATP release, calcium signalling and Cl- transport in biliary epithelial cells through a PKCzeta-dependent pathway.

ATP in bile is a potent secretogogue, stimulating cholangiocyte Cl- and fluid secretion via binding to membrane P2 receptors, though the physiological stimuli involved in biliary ATP release are unknown. The goal of the present studies was to determine the potential role of fluid flow in biliary ATP release and secretion. In both human Mz-Cha-1 biliary cells and normal rat cholangiocyte monolayers, exposure to flow increased relative ATP release which was proportional to the shear stress. In parallel studies, shear was associated with an increase in [Ca2+]i and membrane Cl- permeability, which were both dependent on extracellular ATP and P2 receptor stimulation. Flow-stimulated ATP release was dependent on [Ca2+]i, exhibited desensitization with repetitive stimulation, and was regulated by PKCzeta. In conclusion, both human and rat biliary cells exhibit flow-stimulated, PKCzeta-dependent, ATP release, increases in [Ca2+]i and Cl- secretion. The finding that fluid flow can regulate membrane transport suggests that mechanosensitive ATP release may be a key regulator of biliary secretion and an important target to modulate bile flow in the treatment of cholestatic liver diseases.