Multiple Fractions of Sodium Exchange in Human Lymphocytes

Human lymphocytes contain a large, saturable fraction of K+ that exchanges slowly with K+ in the external medium, and a small non-saturable fraction that exchanges rapidly. We determined whether or not Na+ exchanges in a similar manner with external Na+. Cells were pre-equilibrated to ensure absence of net ion movements. Efflux was studied by loading with 22Na and transferring without washing to a non-labeled medium. Influx was studied by transferring to labeled medium and separating large samples of cells at 6,000g. There are fast, intermediate, and slow fractions of Na+ exchange, with half-times of 2, 14, and 120 minutes. At normal external K+, most cells Na+ exchanges rapidly, while at lower external K+ the Na+ that replaces cell K+ exchanges slowly. Parellel sources of fast and slow fractions, such as extracellular ones and subpopulations of cells, were ruled out by simultaneous 42K and 22Na fluxes and by a quantitative analysis of the combined K+ and Na+ content and flux data over a range of external K+ and Na+ levels. Five possible models of ion fluxes occurring in series were considered. Surface matrix, surface binding sites, and cytoplasmic channels with rapid nuclear exchange were eliminated as sources of the fast fractions. Therefore, the fast fractions of K+ and Na+ must reflect the permeability of the surface membrane. This left only two possible sources of the slow fractions. One, a subcellular compartment (e.g., nucleus), was eliminated by the combined content and flux data. We conclude that the slow fractions of ion flux are rate-limited by adsorption onto and desorption from cellular macromolecules. The data support the association-induction hypothesis and are understood by reference to two fundamental concepts: that of rapid solute exclusion from cell water existing in a polarized state; and that of solute accumulation limited by adsorption onto fixed anionic sites within the cell.