Expression and regulation of the Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter NKCC1 in the normal and CFTR-deficient murine colon

Defective regulation and/or reduced expression of the Na+-K+-2Cl(-) cotransporter NKCCl may contribute to the severe secretory defect that is observed in cystic fibrosis, but data concerning the expression and function of NKCCl in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-deficient cells are equivocal. We therefore investigated NKCCl mRNA expression, Na+-K+-2Cl(-) cotransport activity and regulation by cAMP in crypts isolated from the proximal colon of CFTR-containing (CFTR (+/+)) and CFTR-deficient (CFTR (-/-)) mice. mRNA expression levels were determined by semiquantitative PCR, transport rates were measured fluorometrically in 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein acetomethylester (BCECF)loaded crypts, cytoplasmic volume changes were assessed by confocal microscopy, and [Cl-](i) changes were examined by N-(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-6-methoxyquinolinium bromide (MQAE) quenching. NKCCl mRNA expression levels were not significantly reduced in CFTR (-/-) crypts compared to controls. Azosemide-sensitive NH4+ influx (used as a measure of Na+-K+-2Cl(-) cotransport) was 2.23 +/- 0.72 vs. 1.56 +/- 0.16 mm min(-1), and increased by 63.6% in (+/+) and 87.3% in (-/-) crypts upon stimulation for 5 min with forskolin. After 20 min of stimulation with forskolin, the Na+-K+-2Cl(-) cotransport rates in (-/-) and (+/+) crypts were identical. Crypt cross-sectional area and [Cl-](i) decreased only in (+/+) crypts upon stimulation. In conclusion, normal NKCCl expression levels, somewhat reduced Na+-K+-2Cl(-) cotransport rates, but preserved activation by cAMP were found in colonic crypts from CFTR (-/-) mice, ruling out a severe dysfunction of the Na+-K+-2Cl(-) cotransporter in the CF intestine. Furthermore, these studies establish the existence of a direct, cell-volume- and [Cl-](i)-independent activation of colonic NKCCl by an increase in intracellular cAMP.