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Absorptive apical amiloride‐sensitive Na + conductance in human endometrial epithelium
Author(s) -
Matthews C. Jane,
McEwan Gordon T. A.,
Redfern Christopher P. F.,
Thomas Eric J.,
Hirst Barry H.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7793.1998.443bb.x
Subject(s) - amiloride , apical membrane , chemistry , ouabain , tight junction , epithelial polarity , biophysics , epithelium , ion transporter , transepithelial potential difference , medicine , endocrinology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , sodium , cell , biochemistry , membrane , genetics , organic chemistry
1 Human endometrial epithelial cells cultured on porous tissue culture supports formed tight, polarized epithelial monolayers with features characteristic of tight epithelia. Endometrial epithelial layers generated significant transepithelial electrical resistance (750 Ω cm 2 ) and potential difference (15.3 mV), with an inward short‐circuit current ( I sc ; 20.5 μA cm −2 ). 2 The I sc was linearly proportional to the external Na + concentration and was abolished in the absence of Na + . The I sc was sensitive to apical amiloride. Net 22 Na + flux was in the absorptive apical to basolateral direction and fully accounted for the inward I sc . In addition, apical to basolateral and net 22 Na + transport were reduced in the presence of amiloride. 3 The I sc was also sensitive to addition of ouabain and Ba 2+ to the basal solution, consistent with a role for basolateral Na + −K + ‐ATPase and K + channels in generation of the current. 4 These data demonstrate that human endometrial epithelial cells in primary culture produce tight, functional monolayers on permeable supports. We provide the first evidence that human endometrial epithelial cells have an inward I sc accounted for by an amiloride‐sensitive Na + conductance. The Na + ‐absorptive function of the endometrium may provide an appropriate environment for sperm function and embryo growth.