Cytoplasmic pH regulation in macrophages by an ATP-dependent and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-sensitive mechanism. Possible involvement of a plasma membrane proton pump.

Cytoplasmic pH (pHi) regulation was studied in thioglycolate-elicited murine macrophages using fluorescent probes. Acid-loaded macrophages regained normal pHi by extrusion of H+ equivalents across the plasma membrane. A fraction of this recovery was due to Na+/H+ exchange, as evidenced by its partial Na+ dependence and amiloride sensitivity. The residual, Na+-independent pHi recovery (approximately 50% of the total) persisted in the nominal absence of HCO3- and was insensitive to disulfonic stilbenes, ruling out mediation by anion exchange. In contrast, intracellular alkalinization and H+ extrusion from the cells were inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide, by N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or by prior depletion of intracellular ATP. These observations are consistent with the existence of a H+-pumping ATPase in the plasma membrane of macrophages. The mechanism of activation of the ATP-dependent H+ extrusion process was also investigated. In other systems, Ca2+ mobilization has been suggested to signal an exocytic insertion of H+ pumps into the plasma membrane. Acid loading of macrophages was accompanied by an elevation of the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), measured using indo-1. These results are consistent with a role for Ca2+ mobilization in the activation of H+ extrusion.