Regulation of intracellular chloride in bullfrog choroid plexus

Intracellular Cl- activity (AiCl) of the bullfrog choroidal epithelium has been studied using double-barreled Cl(-)-selective microelectrodes. In bicarbonate-buffered saline, the brush-border membrane potential (VVC) was -43 mV, and AiCl was 24 mM which was twice the predicted equilibrium activity. The uphill Cl- accumulation required the presence of external Na+ and was inhibited by furosemide added to the basolateral side. Removal of HCO3- from the bath solution slightly increased AiCl. On addition of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), VVC depolarized, and AiCl approached the equilibrium activity. It is concluded that net Cl- secretion by the choroidal epithelium is mediated by a furosemide-sensitive, Na+-coupled Cl- uptake mechanism at the basolateral border and a Cl- conductive pathway at the brush border membrane. The results suggest that intracellular cAMP either increases the Cl- conductance of the epithelial membranes and/or inhibits the NaCl co-transport mechanism.