Functional and molecular characterizations of chloride channels in rat pleural mesothelial cells

The purposes of the present study were to clarify whether some Cl− channels exist in rat pleural mesothelial cells, and to investigate functional and molecular characteristics of these channels. Electrophysiological recordings were performed at room temperature using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. We could observe outwardly rectifying Cl− currents in rat pleural mesothelial cells under isotonic conditions. These currents exhibited time-dependent inactivation at potential over + 60 mV and were inhibited by NPPB. It suggests the presence of voltage-dependent Cl− channels. Moreover, we observed the currents activated under hypotonic conditions. Their biophysical and pharmacological properties exhibited as follows; moderate outward rectification of whole-cell currents; time-dependent inactivation at large positive potential; anion selectivity with a type-I Eisenman's permeability sequence (I− > Br− > Cl− > F− > glutamate−); inhibited by NPPB. These properties are consistent with volume-regulated chloride channels (VRCCs), even though molecular identity of VRCCs could not have been determined, the molecular expressions of mRNA of the Cl− channels ClC-2, ClC-3, pICln, MDR1 were confirmed. The properties of VRCCs in the pleural mesothelial cells were consistent with those of ClC-3 channels, and different from those of ClC-2. Therefore, these results suggest that ClC-3 might contribute to the modulation of VRCCs in rat pleural mesothelial cells.