Electrolyte transport mechanisms involved in regulatory volume increase in C6 glioma cells

Volume regulation of C6 glioma cells was studied with an automatic system for monitoring cell thickness, while increasing bath osmolality from 300 to 440 mosmol/kgH2O. At 37 degrees C, tissues incubated in solutions containing active substances (inositol, D-biotin, hydrocortisone, prostaglandin E1, insulin, transferrin, sodium selenite, and 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine) responded to hyperosmotic challenge with a typical regulatory volume increase (RVI). Lowering temperature or removing the active substances inhibited osmoregulation. Bumetanide, amiloride, 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, or ouabain significantly reduced RVI. Ion substitutions of Na+, Cl-, NaCl, or HCO3- also importantly affected the process. Extracellular acidification rate (EAR) was studied by microphysiometry. Hyperosmotic shock induced an increase in EAR with a time course that matched volume recovery. This increase in EAR was prevented by amiloride. The data show that under hyperosmotic conditions C6 cells are able to regulate their volume. Ion substitutions and application of blockers demonstrate that Na+/H+ and Cl-/HCO3- exchangers and Na(+)-K(-)-2Cl- cotransporter are involved in RVI. The rise in EAR is due to the enhanced activity of Na+/H+ antiporter, which seems to be volume dependent but not osmotic dependent.