Flow-induced expression of endothelial Na-K-Cl cotransport: dependence on K+ and Cl- channels

Steady laminar shear stress has been shown previously to markedly increase Na-K-Cl cotransporter mRNA and protein in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and also to rapidly increase endothelial K+ and Cl- channel conductan ces. The present study was done to evaluate the effects of shear stress on Na-K-Cl cotransporter activity and protein expression in bovine aortic endo thelial cells (BAEC) and to determine whether changes in cotransporter expr ession may be dependent on early changes in K+ and Cl- channel conductances . Confluent BAEC monolayers were exposed in a parallel-plate flow chamber t o either steady shear stress (19 dyn/cm(2)) or purely oscillatory shear str ess (0 +/- 19 dyn/cm(2)) for 6-48 h. After shearing, BAEC monolayers were a ssessed for Na-K-Cl cotransporter activity or were subjected to Western blo t analysis of cotransporter protein. Steady shear stress led to a 2- to 4-f old increase in BAEC cotransporter protein levels and a 1.5- to 1.8-fold in crease in cotransporter activity, increases that were sustained over the lo ngest time periods studied. Oscillatory flow, in contrast, had no effect on cotransporter protein levels. In the presence of flow-sensitive K+ and Cl- channel pharmacological blockers, the steady shear stress-induced increase in cotransporter protein was virtually abolished. These results suggest th at shear stress modulates the expression of the BAEC Na-K-Cl cotransporter by mechanisms that are dependent on flow-activated ion channels.