bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural-functional correlation in chinchilla long loop of Henle thin limbs: a novel papillary subsegment
Authors: Chou C. L. , Nielsen S. , Knepper M. A.
Published: December 2017

The ultrastructural characteristics of thin limb subsegments from chinchilla long loops of Henle were studied in perfusion-fixed kidneys and in isolated perfused tubules. In sections from the perfusion-fixed kidneys, we noted types I, II, III, and IV thin limb epithelia similar to those previously identified in other rodent species. Sections from the deepest 20% of the papillary tip, however, revealed only a single thin limb epithelial type, which had a combination of structural characteristics distinct from previously identified thin limb subtypes. This "papillary type" epithelium had relatively tall cells and a complex cellular organization with extensive interdigitation, numerous shallow tight junctions, and microvilli. In single-tubule studies, thin limb segments dissected from different levels of the outer and inner medulla were perfused in vitro for osmotic water permeability (Pf) measurements and were fixed for ultrastructural examination. Long-loop thin descending limbs (LDL) dissected from the outer medulla (Pf, 2,637 +/- 336 micron/s) had type II epithelium. LDL dissected from the middle of the inner medulla (Pf, 1,570 +/- 76 microns/s) had a type III epithelium. LDL segments dissected from the deepest 20% of the inner medulla had a low but nonzero Pf (68 +/- 9 micron/s) and had the same novel papillary type epithelium seen in sections from fixed kidneys. Thin ascending limbs dissected from inner 50% of the inner medulla had essentially zero Pf (8 +/- 4 micron/s) and had a type IV epithelium. Immunohistochemical localization of CHIP28 water channel protein confirmed the presence of CHIP28 in thin descending limbs throughout the outer 75% of the inner medulla, whereas labeling was essentially absent in the deep inner medulla where the low-PfLDL (novel papillary type epithelium) is located.
H-K-ATPase in distal renal tubular acidosis: urinary tract obstruction, lithium, and amiloride
Authors: Eiam-Ong S. , Dafnis E. , Spohn M. , Kurtzman N. A. , Sabatini S.
Published: December 2017

In previous studies we suggested that urinary tract obstruction and chronic administration of lithium or amiloride were models of "voltage-dependent" distal renal tubular acidosis (DRTA). Subsequently, differences among these three models suggested that the pathogenesis was far more complex than we originally proposed. A recent study showed that H-adenosinetriphosphatase (H-ATPase) activity was decreased in all three experimental models. In the current experiments we examined the effect of 24-h unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and chronic administration of amiloride and lithium on collecting tubule H-K-ATPase, the other renal H-ATPase enzyme. In the obstructed kidney, cortical collecting tubule (CCT) H-K-ATPase activity was enhanced by 73 +/- 10.0%, whereas the enzyme activity in medullary collecting tubule (MCT) was decreased by 67 +/- 5.4%. In the normal contralateral kidney, activities of H-ATPase, H-K-ATPase, and Na-K-ATPase were increased by approximately 30% in both CCT and MCT. Following amiloride (3 mg.kg-1.day-1 x 3 days ip), rats had normal acid-base status, slight hyperkalemia, and markedly elevated plasma aldosterone levels. Both CCT and MCT H-K-ATPase activities in amiloride-treated rats were unchanged. After LiCl (4 meq.kg-1.day-1 x 3 days ip), rats developed mild metabolic acidosis and had normokalemia and normal aldosterone status. CCT H-K-ATPase activity in lithium-treated rats was decreased by 64 +/- 8.8%, whereas the enzyme activity in MCT remained unchanged. Lithium in vitro (30 meq/l) inhibited CCT, but not MCT, H-K-ATPase activity, whereas amiloride had no effect on the enzyme activity. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Structural determinants of glomerular hydraulic permeability
Authors: Drumond M. C. , Deen W. M.
Published: December 2017

To elucidate which structures determine the resistance to water movement, we used a computational fluid dynamics approach to determine velocity and pressure fields within the glomerular capillary wall. The model included representations of the endothelial fenestrae, basement membrane, and epithelial filtration slits with slit diaphragms. The input data included dimensions of the various structures from previous electron microscopy studies, as well as the hydraulic permeability recently measured for isolated films of glomerular basement membrane in vitro. The hydraulic resistance of the endothelium was predicted to be small, whereas the basement membrane and filtration slits were each found to contribute roughly one-half of the total hydraulic resistance of the capillary wall. It was calculated that, for a given filtrate flux, the pressure drop within basement membrane in vivo is roughly twice that of “bare” or isolated basement membrane, because of the small fraction of basement membrane area exposed. The dominant resistance in the filtration slit was found to be the slit diaphragm. Predicted values for the overall hydraulic permeability of the capillary wall were within the experimental range derived from micropuncture measurements in normal rats. The model should be a useful tool for analyzing the effects of various structural changes on glomerular hydraulic permeability. This is illustrated by applying the model to recent physiological and morphometric data in nephrotic rats.
Spatially restricted expression of set mRNA in developing rat kidney
Authors: Kim E. G. , Choi M. E. , Ballermann B. J.
Published: December 2017

A somatic translocation event fusing the novel gene set to the putative oncogene can has been implicated in the development of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia in humans. In this study, full-length cDNAs highly homologous with human set were cloned from a rat neonatal kidney library. The expression pattern of set mRNA was then examined in developing rat kidney. Two groups of set cDNAs (alpha and beta) with different translation initiation sites and open reading frames of 867 and 831 bp, respectively, were found. The predicted protein products are 33,385 and 32,085 Da in size and contain approximately 30% acidic residues, over half of them clustered at the COOH terminal, thus forming a long acidic tail. No signal peptide or membrane-spanning domains were identified, suggesting an intracellular protein product. By ribonuclease protection assay, both alpha and beta variants of set were expressed in kidney. On Northern blots of total kidney RNA, 3.0- and 2.2-kb mRNAs hybridized with the labeled set cDNA probe. Expression of both transcripts was four- to eightfold greater in neonatal compared with adult rat kidney. When neonatal rat kidneys were examined for set mRNA expression by in situ hybridization with 35S-labeled riboprobe, expression was densely localized in the cortical region of morphogenesis over primitive nephron structures, including S-shaped bodies. Thus mRNA for Set, a putative intracellular protein involved in leukemogenesis, is expressed in kidney.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Glomerular endothelial cells in culture express and secrete vascular endothelial growth factor
Authors: Uchida K. , Uchida S. , Nitta K. , Yumura W. , Marumo F. , Nihei H.
Published: December 2017

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a specific growth factor for endothelial cells, and its abundant expression has been reported in kidney glomeruli. In this study, we focused on glomerular endothelial cells (GEN) as a possible source of VEGF secretion and sought to uncover a potential autocrine role of VEGF for GEN. Ribonuclease protection assay demonstrated VEGF mRNA expression in cultured GEN, and 46-kDa VEGF protein was detected in the conditioned medium by immunoblot analysis using polyclonal antibody raised against the NH2-terminal portion of VEGF. Removal of fetal bovine serum (FBS) from the culture medium for 2 h decreased VEGF mRNA abundance, which was restored by the readdition of FBS (10%) within 2 h. The effect of FBS was completely abolished by protein kinase inhibitor H-7 (10 microM), suggesting that FBS-stimulated VEGF mRNA induction involves activation of protein kinases. The treatment of GEN with 10(-7) M 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) increased the VEGF mRNA abundance fivefold, supporting the idea that VEGF expression is regulated by protein kinase C. [3H]thymidine incorporation into GEN treated with TPA (10(-7) M) was inhibited by neutralizing antibody for VEGF. Thus VEGF was identified as an autocrine growth factor for GEN in vitro. Its physiological role might be the regulation of GEN proliferation, and the induction of VEGF expression by FBS and TPA suggests its involvement in the response of glomerular capillary endothelial cells to injury in certain pathophysiological states.
Ca2+ uptake, fatty acid, and LDH release during proximal tubule hypoxia: effects of mepacrine and dibucaine
Authors: Bunnachak D. , Almeida A. R. , Wetzels J. F. , Gengaro P. , Nemenoff R. A. , Burke T. J. , Schrier R. W.
Published: December 2017

In freshly isolated hypoxic rat proximal tubules, Ca2+ uptake rate increases promptly, within 1 min, and remains significantly elevated throughout a 20-min period of hypoxia. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, a sign of membrane injury, increases only after 5 min of hypoxia and thereafter rises progressively. The potential effect of increased Ca2+ uptake rate to activate phospholipases, which would then initiate membrane injury, was evaluated by treating hypoxic tubules with three dissimilar phospholipase inhibitors, i.e., mepacrine, dibucaine, or p-bromophenacyl bromide (PBPB). LDH release averaged 11.9 and 13.8% after 10 and 20 min of normoxia, respectively. With 10 or 20 min of hypoxia LDH release increased to 46.0 and 65.2%, respectively (P < 0.01), and Ca2+ uptake rate increased from 2.56 in normoxia to 4.71 nmol.mg-1 x min-1 at 10 min of hypoxia (P < 0.01) and from 2.82 in normoxia to 3.76 nmol/mg at 20 min of hypoxia (P < 0.05). In a separate series of tubules, after 10 min of hypoxia LDH release was reduced by pretreatment with 50 microM mepacrine (66.1 to 47.3%, P < 0.01) or 50 microM dibucaine (53.1 to 38.5%, P < 0.02). The increase in Ca2+ uptake rate also was significantly reduced. After 20 min of hypoxia neither mepacrine nor dibucaine reduced Ca2+ uptake rate; LDH release was modestly reduced by dibucaine but not mepacrine. Higher doses of mepacrine (500 microM) and dibucaine (250 microM) also reduced cell injury at 10 min of hypoxia as assessed by LDH release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Synergistic effects of angiotensin and adenosine in the renal microvasculature
Authors: Weihprecht H. , Lorenz J. N. , Briggs J. P. , Schnermann J.
Published: December 2017

Experiments were performed in the in situ kidney of rats and in isolated afferent arterioles of the rabbit to study the interaction between angiotensin II and adenosine in producing afferent arteriolar vasoconstriction. In the intact rat kidney, we observed that 1) peritubular infusion of the adenosine1-receptor blocker 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (CPX, 10(-4) M) blocked the fall in stop-flow pressure (PSF) induced by angiotensin II (5 x 10(-7) M) but not that caused by vasopressin (10(-5) M) or norepinephrine (10(-5) M), 2) peritubular infusion of saralasin (5 x 10(-5) M) attenuated the fall in PSF caused by N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA, 10(-5) M) 3) the fall in PSF following luminal application of CHA (10(-5) M) was reduced in angiotensin II-depleted states (volume expansion and converting enzyme inhibition) and this could be reversed by infusion of low doses of angiotensin II, and 4) the reduction in PSF in response to luminal infusion of CHA was augmented in a greater-than-additive fashion when angiotensin was simultaneously administered at low intravenous infusion rates. In isolated afferent arterioles of the rabbit, we noted that 1) addition of 10(-5) M CPX to the bath significantly blunted the constrictor effect of angiotensin II (10(-8) M), 2) presence of the converting enzyme inhibitor quinaprilate (10(-7) M) caused a right shift in the constrictor-response curve to increasing concentrations of CHA (10(-9)-10(-5) M) but 10(-5) M saralasin did not affect vasoconstriction caused by 10(-6) M adenosine, 3) simultaneous administration of submaximal constrictor doses of angiotensin II (10(-10) M) and adenosine (10(-6) M) produced vasoconstriction that was greater than additive, and 4) 10(-5) M CHA and angiotensin II (10(-7) M) constricted afferent arterioles after removal of the glomerulus, whereas either agent alone had no constrictor effect in this preparation. Our results suggest that adenosine and angiotensin cooperate in a mutually dependent and synergistic fashion in producing afferent arteriolar vasoconstriction.
X-linked hypophosphatemic Gy mice: renal tubular maximum for phosphate vs. brush-border transport after low-P diet
Authors: Thornton S. W. , Tenenhouse H. S. , Martel J. , Bockian R. W. , Meyer M. H. , Meyer R. A.
Published: December 2017

We examined the effect of the X-linked hypophosphatemic Gy mutation on the maximal renal tubular reabsorption of phosphate (TmP) and compared the effects of phosphate deprivation on both TmP and Na(+)-dependent phosphate transport in renal brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV). Adult female normal and Gy mice were fed a control (1.0% P) or low-phosphate (0.03% P) diet for 5 days. For TmP measurement, anesthetized mice were infused intravenously with [3H]inulin and increasing increments of phosphate (0, 0.27, 0.54, and 1.08 mumol/min). TmP was significantly reduced in Gy mice on the control diet. Normal mice responded to the low-phosphate diet by raising their TmP [2.35 +/- 0.12 (n = 9) vs. 3.71 +/- 0.16 (n = 9) mumol/ml glomerular filtrate, mean +/- SE, P < 0.001], whereas in Gy mice, the change was not significant [1.46 +/- 0.10 (n = 10) vs. 1.70 +/- 0.11 (n = 10)]. In contrast, Gy mice did respond to phosphate restriction by increasing the initial-rate Na(+)-dependent phosphate transport in the renal BBMV [314 +/- 11 (n = 5) vs. 1,105 +/- 157 (n = 5) pmol.mg protein-1.6 s-1, P < 0.01] as did normal mice [583 +/- 64 (n = 5) vs. 1,692 +/- 203 (n = 5) pmol.mg protein-1.6 s-1, P < 0.01]. In conclusion, the adaptive increase in Na(+)-phosphate cotransport in the brush-border membrane of the proximal tubule is not sufficient for the overall increase in TmP in the whole kidney in response to dietary phosphate deprivation.
Ionic currents and endothelin signaling in smooth muscle cells from rat renal resistance arteries
Authors: Gordienko D. V. , Clausen C. , Goligorsky M. S.
Published: December 2017

The repertoire of ionic channels expressed in myocytes freshly isolated from microdissected interlobar and arcuate arteries of rat kidney and their integrative behavior in response to endothelin-1 (ET-1) were studied by identification and characterization of major whole cell current components using patch-clamp technique. In renal microvascular smooth muscle cells (RMSMC) dialyzed with K(+)-containing solution, rapidly inactivating (Ito) and sustained outward K+ currents were identified. Voltage-dependent Ito was categorized as "A" current based on its kinetics, sensitivity to 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), and refractoriness to tetraethylammonium (TEA+). Ca(2+)-activated component of K+ current was completely blocked by 10 mM TEA+, whereas 5 mM 4-AP did not affect this current. Maximal Ca2+ current (ICa) recorded in Cs(+)-loaded RMSMC reached 250 pA when cells were bathed in a solution with 2.5 mM Ca2+. Two patterns of ICa differing in kinetics, voltage range of activation and inactivation, and sensitivity to nifedipine were identified as T and L currents. Ca(2+)-dependent current component showing reversal potential near Cl- current (ECl) and sensitivity to blocking action of 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid was identified as Ca(2+)-activated ECl. Activation of RMSMC with ET-1 (1-10 nM) induced elevation of [Ca2+]i and subsequent activation of Ca(2+)-activated ICl, which led to membrane depolarization sufficient to activate voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. ET-1-evoked transient reduction of ICa carried through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels was followed by augmentation of L-type ICa. ET-1-induced mobilization of intracellular Ca2+, accompanied by membrane depolarization, resulted in activation of Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels, which can play the role of a feedback element terminating ET-1-induced membrane depolarization.
Mechanisms for protective effects of free radical scavengers on gentamicin-mediated nephropathy in rats
Authors: Nakajima T. , Hishida A. , Kato A.
Published: December 2017

Studies were performed to examine the mechanisms for the protective effects of free radical scavengers on gentamicin (GM)-mediated nephropathy. Administration of GM at 40 mg/kg sc for 13 days to rats induced a significant reduction in renal blood flow (RBF) and inulin clearance (CIn) as well as marked tubular damage. A significant reduction in urinary guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) excretion and a significant increase in renal cortical renin and endothelin-1 contents were also observed in GM-mediated nephropathy. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) or dimethylthiourea (DMTU) significantly lessened the GM-induced decrement in CIn. The SOD-induced increase in glomerular filtration rate was associated with a marked improvement in RBF, an increase in urinary cGMP excretion, and a decrease in renal renin and endothelin-1 content. SOD did not attenuate the tubular damage. In contrast, DMTU significantly reduced the tubular damage and lipid peroxidation, but it did not affect renal hemodynamics and vasoactive substances. Neither SOD nor DMTU affected the renal cortical GM content in GM-treated rats. These results suggest that 1) both SOD and DMTU have protective effects on GM-mediated nephropathy, 2) the mechanisms for the protective effects differ for SOD and DMTU, and 3) superoxide anions play a critical role in GM-induced renal vasoconstriction.
Arginine vasopressin and forskolin regulate apical cell surface expression of epithelial Na+ channels in A6 cells
Authors: Kleyman T. R. , Ernst S. A. , Coupaye-Gerard B.
Published: December 2017

Both arginine vasopressin (AVP) and forskolin regulate vectorial Na+ transport across high-resistance epithelia by increasing the Na+ conductance of the apical membrane mediated by amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels. Pretreatment of A6 cells with brefeldin A partially inhibited the increase in Na+ transport in response to forskolin, suggesting recruitment of Na+ channels from an intracellular pool. The activation of Cl- secretion was not affected. Apical cell surface expression of Na+ channels was examined following activation of transepithelial Na+ transport across the epithelial cell line A6 by AVP or forskolin. Apical cell surface radioiodinated Na+ channels were immunoprecipitated to quantify the biochemical pool of Na+ channels at the apical plasma membrane and to determine whether an increment in the biochemical pool of Na+ channels expressed at the apical cell surface is a potential mechanism by which AVP and forskolin increase apical membrane Na+ conductance. The activation of Na+ transport across A6 cells by AVP was accompanied by a significant increase in the biochemical pool of Na+ channels at the apical plasma membrane within 5 min after addition of hormone, which was sustained for at least 30 min. The increase in apical cell surface expression of Na+ channels was also observed 30 min after application of forskolin. No changes in the oligomeric subunit composition of the channel were noted. Brefeldin A inhibited the forskolin-stimulated increase in apical cell surface expression of Na+ channels. These results suggest that AVP and forskolin regulate Na+ transport, in part, via rapid recruitment of Na+ channels to the cell surface, perhaps from a pool of channels in the subapical cytoplasm.
Long-term effects of growth factors on pH and acid-base transport in rat glomerular mesangial cells
Authors: Ganz M. B. , Boron W. F.
Published: December 2017

We investigated the long-term effects of exposing mesangial cells (MCs), previously quiescent, to platelet-derived growth factor, arginine vasopressin (AVP), epidermal growth factor, and serotonin (5-HT). MCs were exposed to the mitogens continuously for periods of 30-70 h. For each agent, we periodically measured intracellular pH (pH(i)), activities of Na+/H+, Na(+)-dependent Cl-/HCO3-, and Cl-/HCO3- exchangers, and cell number. pH(i) and transporter activity were assessed using the fluorescent pH-sensitive dye 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyflourescein in a population of cells attached to glass cover slips. The first two transporters were assayed at the single pH(i) of 6.6, whereas Cl-/HCO3- exchange was assayed at pH(i) 7.5. Cell number was determined using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Incubations and assays were conducted in presence of CO2/HCO30. No agent substantially altered pH(i), which generally ranged from 7.25 to 7.35. pH(i) in AVP-treated cells tended to be approximately 0.05 lower than in time-matched controls at the longer incubation times. All agents, when assayed minutes after mitogen application, caused large increases (70-130%) in activities of all three transporters. However, transporter activity gradually declined in continuous presence of each agent, first rapidly (e.g., 2-4 h) and then more slowly. Measurements of immunoreactive extracellular AVP ([AVP]o) levels indicate that the decrease in Cl-/HCO3- exchange activity is not due to a decrease in [AVP]o. Minimum transporter activity (10-40% above baseline) was achieved approximately 18-35 h after mitogen application. Later, transporter activity slowly increased, although not to the high levels achieved minutes after mitogen addition. For each mitogen, activities of all three transporters tended to rise and fall together. FACS data showed that each agent produced a gradual but significant increase in the number of cells in each cell-cycle phase (G0/G1, S, and M). There also was an increase in the total number of cells, confirming previous [3H]thymidine incorporation data. The fraction of cells in G0/G1, S, or M phase did not correlate well with the gradual decrease in transporter activity. However, the total number of cells peaked at the time of minimal transporter activity. These data demonstrate that, when studied at the cell-population level, mitogens produce a burst in acid-base transporter activity that gradually wanes as cell number increases. Conversely, transporter activity later increases after the peak in cell number.
Modification of mesangial cell function by chloride is attenuated in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Okuda T. , Inishi Y. , Arakawa T. , Ohara M. , Kurokawa K.
Published: December 2017

The effects of extracellular Cl- concentration ([Cl-]o) on cultured mesangial cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were examined. Angiotensin II (ANG II)- and vasopressin (VP)-induced cell contraction and Ca2+ transients of SHR mesangial cells were unaffected when the cells were preincubated with 10 mM [Cl-]o, while obvious suppression of the responses to these agents was observed in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) mesangial cells. Enhanced prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production was elicited by a decrease in [Cl-]o in WKY mesangial cells. In contrast, PGE2 synthesis by SHR mesangial cells was not enhanced by low [Cl-]o. However, ANG II-stimulated PGE2 production and the attenuation of ANG II-induced cell contraction and Ca2+ transients by the addition of exogenous PGE2 were present equally in both WKY and SHR mesangial cells. Based on these findings, we conclude that the absence of modification of mesangial cell function by [Cl-]o in SHR is due to the inability of low [Cl-]o to enhance PGE2 production. Insensitivity of SHR mesangial cells to changes in [Cl-]o might underlie the dysregulation of renal function in SHR.
Renin release from permeabilized juxtaglomerular cells is stimulated by chloride but not by low calcium
Authors: Jensen B. L. , Skott O.
Published: December 2017

The intracellular concentrations of calcium and chloride have been suggested to be involved in the control of renin secretion from juxtaglomerular (JG) cells. We have tested these propositions on permeabilized JG cells. Rat glomeruli with attached JG cells were isolated by the magnetic iron technique, superfused, and permeabilized by 20 microM digitonin for 12 min. The calcium concentration was varied with Ca ethylene glycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) buffers [0 (5 MM EGTA without calcium), 17, 73, 170, 440, or 700 nM and 1.5, 15 or 150 microM]. These maneuvers had no effect on renin release, while 1.5 mM calcium caused a stimulation, which was not inhibited by 50 mM sucrose. Isosmotic increases in the chloride concentration to 25, 60, and 132 mM resulted in prompt stimulations of renin release. Similarly, iodide and nitrate stimulated renin release. We conclude that renin release from permeabilized JG cells is unaffected by calcium concentrations in the nano- and micromolar range, while the release is stimulated by chloride or other permeant anions. We suggest that in intact JG cells an increase in calcium inhibits renin release through activation of chloride channels followed by a drop in the intracellular chloride concentration. The stimulation caused by the high calcium concentration may be a toxic effect or may be due to stimulation of the fusion between granules and cell membrane in a way analogous to other secretory cells.
Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase modifier protein is associated with microtubules in kidney epithelial cells
Authors: Aithal N. H. , Walsh-Reitz M. M. , Kartha S. , Janulis M. P. , Martin T. E. , Toback F. G.
Published: December 2017

After exposure of monkey kidney epithelial cells to a reduced concentration of K, a known mitogenic signal, the glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PD) is activated by a cytosolic protein whose function appears to be novel. A monospecific antibody was used as an immunoprobe to study the contribution of this G3PD modifier protein (MP) to signal transduction. Raising the extracellular Na concentration as well as lowering the K concentration of the medium increased the amount of MP in cytosol and also activated G3PD. Metabolic labeling of cells followed by preparation of detergent-soluble (cytosolic) and detergent-resistant (cytoskeletal) fractions, immunoprecipitation, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of radiolabeled immune precipitates suggested that the protein was also associated with cytoskeleton. Depolymerization of the microtubules with colchicine or nocodazole increased cytosolic immunoreactive MP, whereas cytochalasin D had no effect. Taxol, which stabilizes microtubules, blocked the effects of colchicine or nocodazole. When tubulin, actin, and intermediate filament fractions of the cytoskeleton were prepared, blotted, and probed with specific antibodies, MP was found in the tubulin fraction. These observations suggest that MP is associated with the microtubules and can be displaced into the cytosol, wherein it could activate G3PD and thereby stimulate glycolytic production of ATP during mitogenic signal transduction.
Effects of pH on apical calcium entry and active calcium transport in rabbit cortical collecting system
Authors: Bindels R. J. , Hartog A. , Abrahamse S. L. , Van Os C. H.
Published: December 2017

Rabbit connecting tubules and cortical collecting ducts were isolated by immunodissection and cultured on permeable supports. The monolayers actively transported Ca2+ with a net transcellular rate of 92 +/- 3 nmol.h-1.cm-2. Methoxyverapamil, felodipine, diltiazem, omega-conotoxin GVIA, and omega-agatoxin IVA when added to the apical side had no effect on Ca2+ absorption. Neither hyperpolarization nor depolarization of the apical membrane affected Ca2+ transport rates significantly. Stepwise lowering of the apical pH (pHa) from 8.0 to 5.6 gradually inhibited Ca2+ transport from 88 +/- 5 to 7 +/- 2 nmol.h-1.cm-2. Measuring the intracellular pH (pHi) with 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein revealed that lowering the pHa from 8.0 to 5.6 decreased pHi from 7.8 to 6.7. To determine whether inhibition of Ca2+ absorption results from intracellular acidification, pHi was lowered using an NH4Cl pulse while extracellular pH was kept constant. Intracellular acidification from 7.4 +/- 0.2 to 6.9 +/- 0.1 reduced Ca2+ absorption by 26 +/- 6% only. In addition, lowering of the basolateral pH to 6.2 resulted in a pHi of 6.8 +/- 0.1, without affecting Ca2+ absorption rates. In conclusion, the basal Ca2+ influx mechanism in the apical membrane is most likely a voltage-independent Ca2+ transporter, insensitive to Ca2+ channel blockers, but strongly inhibited by apical acidification.
Early increase in pulsatile growth hormone release after unilateral nephrectomy in adult rats
Authors: Haramati A. , Lumpkin M. D. , Mulroney S. E.
Published: December 2017

Removal of one kidney results, within days, in accelerated growth of the remaining kidney. However, the mechanisms that underlie this compensatory renal hypertrophic response, particularly in the early time period following nephrectomy, are not understood. In this study we tested the hypothesis that removal of one kidney leads to a change in the pulsatile release of growth hormone (GH), which facilitates compensatory renal growth. Adult Wistar rats were implanted with Silastic cannulas in jugular veins and underwent either unilateral nephrectomy (UNX) or sham operation. Plasma levels of GH were determined 24 and 48 h after sham operation or UNX. Blood samples were taken every 20 min over a 6-h period from conscious, unrestrained animals. Pulsatile GH release was markedly elevated 24 h after UNX in both the amplitude of the surges as well as in the duration of release. Peak GH levels after 24 h were three- to fourfold higher in UNX rats compared with sham controls (417 +/- 75 vs. 119 +/- 23 ng/ml, P < 0.05). However, this enhanced release of GH appeared to be of short duration and began declining by 48 h post-UNX (peak level of 227 +/- 37 ng/ml, P < 0.05 vs. both 24 h UNX and sham controls). To examine whether this rise in GH release post-UNX contributed to the compensatory renal growth, rats underwent UNX and were immediately treated with an antagonist to GH-releasing factor (GRF-AN; i.e., [N-Ac-Tyr1,D-Arg2]GRF-(1-29) amide, 200 micrograms/kg twice daily), and the effects on GH release and renal growth were determined. Administration of GRF-AN significantly suppressed the increase in GH release post-UNX and was associated with a significant attenuation in renal growth 48 h post-UNX in GRF-AN-treated rats (8.7 +/- 2.6% vs. 22.7 +/- 3.0% in UNX controls, P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Glomerular response to acute protein load is not blunted by high-protein diet or nephron reduction
Authors: Burtin M. , Laouari D. , Kindermans C. , Kleinknecht C.
Published: December 2017

Inulin clearance (CIn) was measured in the presence of varying degrees of renal excision (NX, 0-85% of renal mass by weight), in anesthetized rats fed on high-protein (HP, 30%), median-protein (MP, 10%), or low-protein (LP, 7%) diets, before and during amino acid (AA) infusion or before and after an intragastric protein load. CIn was higher in rats fed HP than in rats fed LP in controls (3.4 vs. 2.1 ml/min) and in rats with NX up to 70% after feeding for 3 wk (1.4 vs. 0.7 ml/min) or 4 days (1.5 vs. 1.1 ml/min). The difference decreased from 0% to 70% NX, and disappeared when NX exceeded 70%. Acute AA infusion and intragastric loads always increased CIn with wide individual variations. The increase was greater in rats fed HP than in rats fed MP and LP (+1.4 vs. 0.8 and 1.1 ml/min for 0% NX), diminished with greater NX (0.7 vs. 0.2 and 0.4 ml/min for 70% NX), and was very small for NX above 70%. However, when expressed as the percent of baseline values, the mean CIn increment after acute stimulation remained constant (30-45%), regardless of renal ablation and of diet. Thus preexisting hyperfiltration resulting from diet or from renal ablation does not suppress the glomerular response to an acute protein load, and acute loads afford no advantages over baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measurements. By contrast, chronic protein feeding increases GFR only when nephron loss is not too severe.
Inhibition of Na+/Ca2+ exchange in renal BLMV by IP3 depends on site of action and direction of Ca2+ flux
Authors: Fraser C. L. , Cummings C. , Cassafer G.
Published: December 2017

It has previously been shown in synaptosomes that inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (1,4,5-IP3) inhibits Ca2+ transport by the plasma membrane-bound Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. The present study was therefore designed to determine if the effect of 1,4,5-IP3 was dependent on its site of action at the plasma membrane or on the direction of Ca2+ flux. To investigate this possibility, studies were performed in basolateral membrane vesicles (BLMV) isolated from rat renal cortex. As with synaptosomes, Ca2+ transport was inhibited by 1,4,5-IP3 in a concentration-dependent manner. At a concentration of 10(-6) M, 1,4,5-IP3 significantly (P < 0.005) inhibited Ca2+ transport by 36%. When Ca2+ transport was carried out in inside-out vesicles, 10(-6) M 1,4,5-IP3 significantly (P < 0.002) increased the degree of inhibition by an additional 75% (63 vs. 36%). However, 1,4,5-IP3 had no significant effect on Ca2+ transport in inside-out vesicles when Ca2+ flux was reversed (i.e., Ca2+ efflux). These data in renal BLMV confirm the novel action of 1,4,5-IP3 on the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger previously described in brain synaptosomes. These results also suggest that the action of 1,4,5-IP3 depends on both its site of action at the plasma membrane and on the direction of Ca2+ flux.
A novel approach allows identification of K channels in the lateral membrane of rat CCD
Authors: Wang W. H. , McNicholas C. M. , Segal A. S. , Giebisch G.
Published: December 2017

We have developed a novel approach to study K channels in the lateral membrane of principal cells (PC) in rat cortical collecting ducts (CCD). The technique consists of 1) exposing the CCD apical membrane, 2) removing the intercalated cells adjoining a PC by gentle suction through a pipette, and 3) applying patch-clamp technique to the lateral membrane of PC. Functional viability of the PC was confirmed by three indexes: 1) maintenance of physiological cell membrane potentials (-85 +/- 3 mV); 2) depolarization of the cell membrane potential with 1 mM Ba2+; and 3) hyperpolarization of the cell potential with 0.1 mM amiloride. Two types of K channels were identified: a low-conductance K channel and an intermediate-conductance K channel. In cell-attached patches the slope conductance of the low-conductance K channel was 27 pS and that of the intermediate-conductance K channel was 45 pS. The open probability (Po) of the 27-pS K channel was 0.81 +/- 0.02 and was not voltage dependent. In contrast, the Po of the 45-pS K channel was 0.23 +/- 0.01 at the spontaneous cell membrane potential and was increased by hyperpolarization. In addition, decrease of the bath pH from 7.4 to 6.7 reduced the 27-pS K channel current amplitude in a voltage-dependent manner, but the Po was not affected. Finally, two time constants were required to fit open- and closed-time histograms of both populations of K channels. Application of 1 mM Ba2+ completely blocked these K channels. We conclude that two types of K channel are present in the basolateral membrane of PC.
H(+)-ATPases of renal cortical and medullary endosomes are differentially sensitive to Sch-28080 and omeprazole
Authors: Sabolic I. , Brown D. , Verbavatz J. M. , Kleinman J.
Published: December 2017

Adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activity stimulated by K+ and inhibited by Sch-28080 (SCH), omeprazole (OME), and vanadate has been measured in microsomes from mammalian renal medulla and attributed to a kidney isoform of the H(+)-K(+)-ATPase. To determine whether the H(+)-K(+)-ATPase inhibitors could also inhibit the vacuolar (V)-type H(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (H(+)-ATPase, i.e., H+ pump) in mammalian intracellular vesicles, we examined their effects on bafilomycin-sensitive acidification in renal cortical vesicles (CEV) and medullary endocytic vesicles (MEV). Rats were injected with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran, and labeled endosomes were enriched from kidney tissue homogenates by differential and Percoll density gradient centrifugation. In the CEV, the V-type H+ pump was inhibited 25% by SCH and 30% by OME (100 microM each). Whereas the inhibition by OME was concentration and time dependent, the inhibition by SCH was only concentration dependent. Inhibition by these compounds was similar in the presence of 50 mM K+ (in = out) and in the complete absence of K+, thus ruling out a significant involvement of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase-mediated acidification. Inhibition, however, was not observed with 10 microM SCH and OME. The sensitivity of the V-type H+ pump to 100 microM SCH and OME in CEV was confirmed by the comparable inhibitions of intravesicular acidification observed in acridine orange fluorescence quench studies and by inhibition of Pi liberation in an ATPase assay. We also found that the V-type H+ pump in isolated rat liver endosomes is sensitive to 100 microM SCH and OME to a similar degree. In the MEV, acidification was only weakly affected by 100 microM SCH and OME, thus suggesting that H(+)-ATPases in endosomes from cortical and medullary tubules are different, possibly due to a previously described selective expression of subunit isoforms. Our finding indicates the importance of using low concentrations (< 10 microM) of OME and SCH in studies of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase in nongastric tissues to avoid misinterpretation of the data due to nonspecific inhibition of V-type H(+)-ATPases.
Protein restriction reduces transforming growth factor-beta and interstitial fibrosis in nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Eddy A. A.
Published: December 2017

Nephrotic syndrome induced by puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) is characterized by tubulointerstitial (TI) inflammation, foci of TI fibrosis, and increased renal mRNA levels for matrix genes, the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP), and the transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1). To investigate the ability of a low-protein diet known to decrease TI inflammation to alter the degree of renal fibrosis, we studied four groups of rats: 27% protein PAN, 27% protein control, 8% protein PAN, and 8% protein control. Renal TGF-beta 1 mRNA levels correlated with the number of interstitial macrophages (r = 0.76) and were significantly reduced by dietary protein restriction. On day 10, Northern blot analysis showed that the elevated renal mRNA levels for procollagens alpha 1 (I), alpha 1(III), and alpha 2(IV) and fibronectin in the PAN-treated rats were significantly reduced by 8% dietary protein. In contrast, genes regulating matrix degradation (stromelysin and TIMP) were relatively unchanged by the low-protein diet. The number of foci of interstitial fibrosis and total renal collagen were greater in the PAN + 27% protein group than in the control groups. Both parameters of fibrosis were partially normalized in the PAN + 8% protein group. The results of this study suggest that dietary protein restriction attenuates TI fibrosis in PAN-induced nephrosis by partially reversing the increase in renal matrix synthesis. This effect was associated with decreased renal expression of the fibrogenic cytokine TGF-beta 1, which may be partially mediated by the concomitant reduction in the number of interstitial inflammatory macrophages.
Macrophages, monocyte chemoattractant peptide-1, and TGF-beta 1 in experimental hydronephrosis
Authors: Diamond J. R. , Kees-Folts D. , Ding G. , Frye J. E. , Restrepo N. C.
Published: December 2017

Early cellular and molecular derangements have been evaluated as potential pivotal factors for the late development of interstitial fibrosis after experimental hydronephrosis. In this study, we delineated the kinetics of renal cortical macrophage infiltration as well as the cortical expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and monocyte chemoattractant peptide-1 (MCP-1) at 12, 48, and 96 h after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Interstitial macrophage number in the obstructed kidney versus the contralateral unobstructed kidney (CUK) significantly increased by 12 (11.1 +/- 0.9 vs. 4.5 +/- 0.6), 48 (27.5 +/- 0.9 vs. 4.0 +/- 0.8), and 96 h (71.4 +/- 4.6 vs. 3.2 +/- 0.4) after UUO. MCP-1 mRNA was detected from 12 to 96 h in the obstructed kidney but was absent in the CUK specimens at all time points. Apical tubular MCP-1 expression, on immunolabeling, was present from 12 through 96 h after UUO in the obstructed kidney but not the CUK specimen. On Northern analysis, there were highly significant 2.6-, 5.8-, and 7.0-fold increments in renal cortical TGF-beta 1 mRNA levels at 12, 48, and 96 h, respectively, in the obstructed kidney versus the CUK specimen. Intracellular TGF-beta 1, on immunolabeling, was detected only in the obstructed kidneys of UUO rats at all three time points and was confined to peritubular cells of the renal interstitium. A significant (P < 0.005) correlation (r = 0.95) between interstitial macrophage number and cortical TGF-beta 1 mRNA levels was noted.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effect of P-450 omega-hydroxylase metabolites of arachidonic acid on tubuloglomerular feedback
Authors: Zou A. P. , Imig J. D. , Ortiz de Montellano P. R. , Sui Z. , Falck J. R. , Roman R. J.
Published: December 2017

The role of endogenous P-450 metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) on the tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) response was examined. Under control conditions stop-flow pressure (SFP) fell by 17.0 +/- 2.1 mmHg when the perfusion rate of the loop of Henle was increased from 0 to 50 nl/min. Addition of AA (50 microM) to the perfusate lowered basal SFP by 11.4 +/- 1.1 mmHg and potentiated the TGF response. This effect was blocked by addition of a P-450 inhibitor, 17-octadecynoic acid (17-ODYA) (10 microM), to the perfusate. Perfusion of the loop of Henle with 17-ODYA elevated basal SFP by 3.7 +/- 0.3 mmHg and reduced the TGF response by 80%. After blockade of endogenous P-450 activity with 17-ODYA, addition of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE, 10 microM) to the perfusate produced a flow rate-dependent fall in SFP. The effect of 20-HETE was not altered by pretreating the animal with meclofenamate (2 mg/kg iv) or by perfusing the nephron segment with furosemide (50 microM). These results indicate that endogenous P-450 metabolites of AA, particularly 20-HETE, may play a role in TGF and the regulation of renal vascular tone.
Altered renal vascular responses in the aging rat kidney
Authors: Tank J. E. , Vora J. P. , Houghton D. C. , Anderson S.
Published: December 2017

Age-related renal functional changes may relate to alterations in the responsiveness to vasoconstrictors and vasodilators. Blood pressure and renal responses to angiotensin II (ANG II), endothelin-1 (ET), NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), and to the ANG II receptor antagonist losartan were compared in young (3-mo-old) and older (15-mo-old) male rats. Baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP) values were slightly lower in the older rats, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) were higher. ANG II and ET induced comparable pressor responses in both groups but produced greater GFR and RPF reductions in the older rats. In contrast, the MAP, GFR, and RPF responses to L-NAME were exaggerated in aging rats. Losartan induced modest MAP reductions in both groups, and comparable renal vasodilatory responses. Thus the aging kidney exhibits exaggerated responses to systemic vasoconstrictor stimuli, whereas responsiveness to ANG II blockade is preserved but not enhanced. Whether or not this balance is further impaired later in the aging process remains to be determined.
Induction of gene expression by heat shock versus osmotic stress
Authors: Sheikh-Hamad D. , Garcia-Perez A. , Ferraris J. D. , Peters E. M. , Burg M. B.
Published: December 2017

Elevated temperature rapidly increases expression of genes for heat shock proteins (HSP), including HSP-70. The response is presumably triggered by denaturation of cell proteins and helps in their renaturation. Hypertonicity may also denature proteins, but the protective response, which is accumulation of compatible organic osmolytes [including betaine and inositol in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells], apparently differs and is slow. Recently, hypertonicity was found also to increase expression of HSP-70 in MDCK cells, a response proposed to provide protection until organic osmolytes can accumulate. Our purpose was to examine whether 1) a gene involved in accumulation of organic osmolytes also responds to heat stress and 2) whether accumulation of organic osmolytes affects expression of HSP-70. We find that 1) the betaine transporter mRNA, which is greatly increased by hypertonicity (515 vs. 315 mosmol), is unaffected by high temperature (42 degrees C vs. 37 degrees C); 2) hypertonicity-induced increases in HSP-70 and betaine transporter mRNA are much greater when the medium (and cell) contain no betaine and no inositol than when high concentrations of these are present; and 3) high betaine greatly inhibits the increase in HSP-70 mRNA at high temperature. We conclude the following. 1) Although heat shock and betaine transporter genes both respond to hypertonicity, the betaine transporter is not a HSP. 2) Accumulation of organic osmolytes attenuates the HSP-70 response to hypertonicity, as it might if the HSP-70 expression were a temporizing response. 3) Betaine inhibits HSP-70 response to elevated temperature, presumably by its known effect of stabilizing proteins.
Expression and molecular regulation of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase after renal ischemia
Authors: Van Why S. K. , Mann A. S. , Ardito T. , Siegel N. J. , Kashgarian M.
Published: December 2017

Renal ischemia causes redistribution of Na(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase) to the apical membrane of proximal tubules. We determined the time course of regeneration of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase polarity and sought evidence of increased enzyme production during recovery as a means to restore polarity. Anesthetized rats underwent 45 min renal ischemia and reflow of 15 min, 2 h, 6 h, and 24 h. Immunofluorescent and electron microscopy showed loss of strict basolateral localization of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase at 15 min reflow with repolarization by 24 h in sublethally injured cells. Both alpha 1- and beta-subunits were only in microsomal fractions at all reflow intervals. Immunodetectable levels of both subunits declined to 60-70% of control by 24 h reflow. Levels of mRNA for each subunit declined in parallel through 24 h to 55% of control. Overall transcription was profoundly depressed through 6 h but had recovered to near control by 24 h. Specific transcription of alpha 1- and beta-subunit mRNA was markedly decreased after ischemia and only partially recovered by 24 h. These results suggest that recycling of misplaced units rather than new Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase production is the means by which renal epithelia initially repolarize after ischemic injury.