Parietal cells express high levels of Na-K-2Cl cotransporter on migrating into the gastric gland neck

Na-K-2Cl cotransport and Cl/HCO3 exchange are prominent mechanisms for Cl- uptake in Cl--secreting epithelial cells. We used immunofluorescence microscopy to delineate the distributions of Na-K-2Cl cotransporter-1 (NKCC1) and anion exchanger-2 (AE2) proteins in rat gastric mucosa (zymogenic zone). Parietal cells (PCs) above the neck of the gastric gland contained abundant AE2 but little or no NKCC1, whereas those in the neck and base contained high NKCC1 but diminished AE2. Lower levels of NKCC1 were detected in surface mucous cells and in cells comprising the blind ends of all glands. Pulse labeling of proliferating cells with bromodeoxyuridine indicated that new PCs originate in the isthmus with scant NKCC1; the subset of PCs that migrate downward expresses NKCC1 abruptly on entering the neck, within 7 days of cell division. Our results suggest that downwardly migrating PCs replace one mechanism for Cl- entry (Cl/HCO3 exchange) with another (Na-K-2Cl cotransport).