Mechanically stripped pigmented and non-pigmented epithelium of the shark ciliary body: Morphology and transepithelial electrical properties

Sections of intact ciliary epithelium and mechanically strippted non-pigmented (NPE) and pigmented (PE) cell layers of adult sharks ( Squalus acanthias ) were mounted in Ussing-type chambers (area 0·1 cm 2 ). Addition of 10 −5 m forskolin to the aqueous side of intact epithelium significantly increased short-circuit current ( I sc ) within 15 min and a maximum of approx. 30 μA cm −2 was reached after 45–60 min. Transepithelial potential difference ( V ) increased from −0·8 mV (aqueous side negative as compared with blood/stromal side) to −1·5 mV, whereas resistance ( R ) was unchanged (50 Ω cm 2 ). Forskolin was without effect when applied to the blood side. In stripped PE preparations ( R 15 Ω cm 2 ), 10 −5 m forskolin applied to the apical side induced a qualitatively similar change of I sc and V compared with the intact tissue. The forskolin-induced effects were fully reversed by 10 −4 m bumetanide and were not dependent on pretreatment of the tissue with 10 −3 m BaCl 2 . In stripped NPE preparations resistance was usually less than 10 Ω cm 2 and was not stable. This is consistent with the morphologic observation that although tight junctions were still demonstrable in stripped NPE cells, the apical membranes were damaged. In preparations taken for light and electron microscopy the stripped PE layer revealed intact epithelial cells. In particular, the basal thirds of the stripped PE cells were in very close contact with each other. These attachment zones may have the appearance of tight junctions. Thus the PE cells of the shark ciliary epithelium can be successfully isolated for transepithelial transport studies. The adenylate cyclase system is present in PE cells, and transepithelial transport of chloride may be regulated by intracellular cAMP.