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Kv1 and Kir2 potassium channels are expressed in rat brain endothelial cells

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Abstract

The endothelial cells of the brain microvasculature, which constitute the blood–brain barrier, secrete K+ into brain interstitial fluid. K+ channels are predicted to have a central role to play in this process. The aim of the following study was to characterise K+ channels in primary cultures of endothelial cells isolated from rat brain microvessels by whole-cell patch clamp and real-time polymerase chain reaction. In the 4 h after plating, the rat brain endothelial cells expressed predominantly a depolarisation-activated delayed-rectifying outward K+ conductance and a time-independent inwardly rectifying K+ conductance prominent at hyperpolarising potentials. The outward current was inhibited by 1 mM 4-aminopyridine (4AP), 10 nM margatoxin and 100 nM dendrotoxin-K, indicating the involvement of Kv1 channels. The half maximal activation voltage and time constants of activation and inactivation of the 4AP-sensitive current were similar to Kv1.3. The inwardly rectifying conductance was inhibited by Ba2+ in a dose- and voltage-dependent fashion; the kinetics of which resembled Kir2 channels. Quantification of messenger ribonucleic acid transcripts revealed Kv1.3 > 1.2 = 1.4 = 1.5 = 1.6 and Kir2.1 = 2 > 2.3. In current-clamp experiments, both 4AP and Ba2+ depolarised the membrane potential. In conclusion, rat brain endothelial cells express Kv1 and Kir2 K+ channels, both of which participate in setting membrane potential and could mediate K+ secretion into the brain interstitial fluid.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by BBSRC grant S19517 and Wellcome grant 070139/Z/02.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK

    Ian D. Millar, Shanshan Wang, Margery A. Barrand & Stephen B. Hladky

  2. Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Grafton Street, Manchester, M13 9NT, UK

    Ian D. Millar & Peter D. Brown

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Correspondence to Stephen B. Hladky.

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Millar, I.D., Wang, S., Brown, P.D. et al. Kv1 and Kir2 potassium channels are expressed in rat brain endothelial cells. Pflugers Arch - Eur J Physiol 456, 379–391 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00424-007-0377-1

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