Na+ transport in jejunal crypt cells.

As enterocytes migrate from crypts to villi they differentiate and mature. To examine the effect of epithelial differentiation on ion transport we studied 22Na+ efflux and (Na+--K+)-adenosine triphosphatase activity in suspensions of epithelial cells selectively isolated from different regions of the villus to compare crypt cells with villous tip cells. Enterocytes were isolated from rat jejunum by a dilation-vibration technique. Thymidine kinase, sucrase, and alkaline phosphatase activities were measured as markers of specific cell populations. Compared to villous cells, cells from the crypt region demonstrated lower (Na"--K+)-adenosine triphosphatase activity, lower total and passive Na+ efflux rate constants, and failure of Na+ transport to respond to an actively transported nonelectrolyte.