Critical Reviews in Oral Biology & Medicine, Vol 10, 199-209, Copyright © 1999 by International & American Associations for Dental Research

ARTICLES

Chloride channels and salivary gland function

J. E. Melvin
Center for Oral Biology, Rochester Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York 14642, USA.

Fluid and electrolyte transport is driven by transepithelial Cl- movement. The opening of Cl- channels in the apical membrane of salivary gland acinar cells initiates the fluid secretion process, whereas the activation of Cl- channels in both the apical and the basolateral membranes of ductal cells is thought to be necessary for NaCl re-absorption. Saliva formation can be evoked by sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation. The composition and flow rate vary greatly, depending on the type of stimulation. As many as five classes of Cl- channels with distinct gating mechanisms have been identified in salivary cells. One of these Cl- channels is activated by intracellular Ca2+, while another is gated by cAMP. An increase in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration is the dominant mechanism triggering fluid secretion from acinar cells, while cAMP may be required for efficient NaCl re-absorption in many ductal cells. In addition to cAMP- and Ca(2+)-gated Cl- channels, agonist-induced changes in membrane potential and cell volume activate different Cl- channels that likely play a role in modulating fluid and electrolyte movement. In this review, the properties of the different types of Cl- currents expressed in salivary gland cells are described, and functions are proposed based on the unique properties of these channels.

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