Macula densa mTORC1 is an important regulator of cellular and aging-dependent kidney functions
Authors: Deepak Sachin , Izuhara Audrey , Becerra Calderon Alejandra , Trogen Greta , Gyarmati Georgina , Peti-Peterdi Janos 
Published: May 2024

Macula densa (MD) cells are major regulators of nephron, kidney, and whole body functions, including the control of renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renin release and thus the maintenance of body fluid and electrolyte balance. Our recent studies identified the high rate of MD protein synthesis regulated by the mTORC1 complex of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) as a novel component of MD cell and glomerular hemodynamic regulatory functions. Raptor is an essential player in mTORC1’s key roles to regulate cell energy homeostasis, growth, protein synthesis, mitochondrial function, apoptosis, and autophagy via phosphorylation of substrates including ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K) and eukaryotic translation-initiation factor 4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs). mTORC1 signaling controls the aging process, and deficient mTORC1 activity extends health and lifespan. Therefore, we hypothesized that MD cell-specific mTOR loss of function (lof) prevents aging-related kidney function decline. The present study aimed to demonstrate the key importance of MD cell mTOR activity in renal physiology and aging by characterizing the phenotype of a newly generated genetic MD-mTOR lof mouse model. MD-mTOR lof mice were generated by crossing Nos1-CreERT2 and Raptor floxed mice. Tamoxifen induction (at 3 weeks of age) of Nos1-CreERT2+/- Raptor−/− mice resulted in conditional and inducible Raptor deletion in cells of the Nos1 lineage, which in the kidney is entirely specific to MD cells. Kidney structure/function phenotyping was performed using intravital multiphoton microscopy (MPM), the Medibeacon transdermal GFR measurement system, and tissue harvest, immunohistochemistry, and the OPP incorporation assay of protein synthesis. High and MD-specific Raptor, pS6K, and p4EBP1 immunofluorescence labeling was observed in WT kidney sections. The immunolabeling of these mTOR component and targets were absent specifically in MD cells in MD-mTOR lof mouse kidneys, validating the MD cell-specific genetic approach. The intensity of incorporated OPP labeling was highest in MD cells among all renal cell types in WT. In contrast, MD OPP labeling was significantly reduced in MD-mTOR lof mice indicating diminished, mTORC1-dependent global MD cell protein synthesis. Importantly, in 15-month old aged mice the GFR was significantly higher (preserved) in MD-mTOR lof (1794±197 uL/min/100g BW) compared to WT (1117±61) and MD-mTOR gof (929±61) mice (n=6-18 mice in each group). Altogether, these studies identified mTORC1 as an essential regulator of MD cell biology, and the importance of MD cells in aging-related kidney function decline. MD cells may be important new targets in future anti-aging therapies.

DK064234, DK123564, DK135290.

This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.