Microdissected Glomeruli Research Articles

Insulin-responsive glucose transporter expression in renal microvessels and glomeruli

The insulin-responsive glucose transporter (GLUT4) is expressed at high levels in fat and skeletal muscle, which account for the majority of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. However, GLUT4 is also expressed at lower levels in kidney and several other tissues. We have used a variety of protein and mRNA detection techniques to determine the sites of renal GLUT4 expression. Indirect immunofluorescence experiments with two specific anti-peptide antisera detected GLUT4 in the smooth muscle cells of the rat renal microvasculature, in renal glomerulus, and in cultured glomerular mesangial and epithelial cells. PCR amplification of cDNA derived from microdissected renal glomeruli, microvessels and tubules corroborated this distribution of GLUT4, and Northern blotting demonstrated GLUT4 mRNA in cultured glomerular mesangial cells. Both the immunofluorescence and PCR data suggested that GLUT4 is most highly expressed in renal microvessels. Our results show that certain renal cells, such as renal microvascular smooth muscle cells, express the insulin-responsive glucose transporter and therefore may demonstrate altered glucose uptake and metabolism in diabetes mellitus.

Messenger RNA expression and synthesis of endothelin-1 along rat nephron segments.

The kidney both produces and responds to endothelin. We examined the production and the expression of mRNA of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in tubule suspensions and microdissected nephron segments. ET-1 production was measured by RIA using an ET-1-specific antibody. We applied the reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to detect ET-1 mRNA along the nephron segments. Stimulation of ET-1 production was observed in the presence of FCS and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in inner medullary tubules but not in cortical or outer medullary tubule suspensions. Among dissected nephron segments, ET-1 production was observed in glomeruli and inner medullary collecting ducts (IMCD), whereas it was negligible in proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) and medullary thick ascending limbs (MAL). In addition, the PCR product of ET-1 mRNA was also higher in glomeruli and IMCD, whereas it was undetectable in PCT and MAL. Furthermore, FCS and TGF-beta increased ET-1 mRNA in microdissected glomeruli and IMCD. These data clearly demonstrated that the production sites of ET-1 are glomeruli and IMCD among the nephron segments. ET-1 is an autocrine factor in these sites.

Age-related changes in glomerular volume and hydroxyproline content in rat and human.

Total 4-hydroxyproline content and volume were measured in the same sample of microdissected glomeruli obtained fro rat and human outer or inner cortex. Glomerular volume was determined by computer-assisted image analysis, and 4-hydroxyproline was measured by a highly sensitive gas-liquid chromatographic method. Results were expressed as weight of basement membrane material by comparison with the amount of 4-hydroxyproline in purified basement membrane/mesangial matrix preparations. Microanalyses were possible in samples containing as few as eight human glomeruli. Rat glomerular size increased sevenfold between 5 wk and 2 yr of age, with volume being consistently 36 to 45% greater in inner than in outer cortex glomeruli. Basement membrane material content per glomerulus markedly increased with age (12-fold); however, when expressed per unit volume, this change was greatly reduced (2-fold). Expressed per volume, inner and outer cortex glomerular content of basement membrane material was always similar, regardless of age. Therefore, a greater glomerular size, in itself, does not accelerate the rate of basement membrane material deposition. Glomerular size distributions (measured by skewness and kurtosis) did not change, indicating that, although glomerular volume increases with age, aging does not appear to cause the emergence of distinct glomerular populations within an age group. Basement membrane material accumulation is probably a generalized change. Human glomeruli increased sevenfold in size from infancy to adulthood and then declined during senescence. Contrary to that in the rat, glomerular basement membrane material content appeared to closely follow size changes, thus, varying little from infancy to senescence if expressed per unit of glomerular volume.

Pressure dependent modulation of renin release in isolated perfused glomeruli.

The isolated perfused glomerulus technique was used to study pressure dependence of renin release in single, microdissected rabbit glomeruli with intact afferent arteriole and intact Bowman's capsule. Renin release from individual afferent-glomerular units was measured in 30 minute intervals while afferent arteriolar pressure was either decreased from 55 to 40 to 25 mm Hg or increased from 25 to 40 to 55 mm Hg. There was a clear, inverse relation of renin release and afferent pressure. Mean renin release rate was 3.2 times higher at 25 than at 55 mm Hg and 1.5 times higher at 40 than at 55 mm Hg. To evaluate the possible role of wall stretch in mediating this response, inner and outer afferent arteriolar diameters were measured by videomicroscopy. Outer afferent diameter remained constant between 25 and 55 mm Hg, whereas inner diameter exhibited a slight increase. Changes of afferent arteriolar wall stretch, however, did not correlate with changes of renin release. These data for the first time directly demonstrate the existence of a renin baroceptor at the level of the renal afferent arteriole. They furthermore suggest that this baroceptor is not a stretch receptor.

RT-PCR microlocalization of mRNA for guanylyl cyclase-coupled ANF receptor in rat kidney

Microlocalization of mRNA coding for the guanylyl cyclase-coupled atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) receptor was carried out in the rat kidney. We used a combination of reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in individual microdissected renal tubule segments, glomeruli, and vasa recta bundles. Relative quantitation of the resulting amplified cDNA utilized densitometry of autoradiograms from Southern blots probed with a specific 32P-labeled probe. Among renal tubule segments, the largest signal was found in the terminal inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD). Slightly smaller signals were found in the initial IMCD and in loop of Henle segments from the inner medulla. Readily detectable signals were also seen in the following segments (in descending order): cortical collecting duct, proximal convoluted tubule, medullary thick ascending limb, cortical thick ascending limb, distal convoluted tubule, and outer medullary collecting duct. Large signals were also detected in glomeruli and in vasa recta bundles from the inner stripe of the outer medulla. Based on these results, we conclude that 1) renal microlocalization of specific mRNAs coding for hormone receptors is feasible through application of the RT-PCR procedure in microdissected renal tubules and vascular elements, and 2) the gene for the guanylyl cyclase-coupled ANF receptor is broadly expressed along the nephron, raising the possibility that multiple sites of ANF action are present.

Insulin receptors along the rat nephron: [125I] insulin binding in microdissected glomeruli and tubules.

Binding of [125I] Tyr A14 human insulin ([125I] insulin) was measured at 4 degrees C in glomeruli and pieces of tubule microdissected from collagenase-treated rat kidneys. For glomeruli and all segments tested, total and non specific binding increased linearly with glomeruli number or tubular length. When determined with 4.0 nM labelled hormone, the distribution of specific binding sites (expressed as 10(-18) mol [125I] insulin bound per glomerulus or mm tubule length) was as follows: glomerulus, 2.5 +/- 0.3; proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), 12.6 +/- 0.6; pars recta (PR), 4.0 +/- 2.6; thin descending limb (TDL), 0.6 +/- 0.2; thin ascending limb (TAL), 0.6 +/- 0.2; medullary thick ascending limb (MAL), 0.8 +/- 0.1; cortical ascending limb (CAL), 2.1 +/- 0.1; distal convoluted tubule (DCT), 5.6 +/- 1.1; cortical collecting tubule (CCT), 3.2 +/- 0.3 and outer medullary collecting tubule (MCT), 2.3 +/- 0.1. Specific [125I] insulin binding to glomeruli and tubule segments was time and dose-dependent, saturable, reversible after elimination of free labelled ligand, and inhibited by unlabelled human insulin. When analysed in Scatchard and Hill coordinates, the binding data revealed a negative cooperation in the interaction processes between [125I] insulin and glomerular and tubular binding sites, with apparent dissociation constants and Hill coefficients of the following values: glomerulus, 0.6 nM and 0.60; PCT, 10.0 nM and 0.55; MAL, 4.3 nM and 0.80; CAL, 2.0 nM and 0.74; CCT, 7.6 nM and 0.80 and MCT, 1.0 nM and 0.57 respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Tachyphylaxis of juxtaglomerular epithelioid cells to angiotensin II. Differences between the electrical membrane response and renin secretion.

A study has been made of desensitization of the depolarizing response to angiotensin II of juxtaglomerular epithelioid and vascular smooth muscle cells in the mouse kidney afferent arteriole, of media cells from the mesenteric artery as well as of cultured smooth muscle and mesangial cells. In all cell types, desensitization to this effect of angiotensin II was observed. There was no cross-desensitization between angiotensin II and other depolarizing agonists. Hence, it is concluded that this desensitization is specific, i.e. of the tachyphylaxis type. Substances interfering with receptor recycling, such as chloroquine and monensin, did not block the recovery of the cells from desensitization after removal of the octapeptide. Desensitization to the action of angiotensin II was also observed with respect to its vasoconstrictor effect in the isolated perfused rat kidney. In contrast there was no desensitization of renin secretion in the isolated perfused rat kidney, nor in isolated hydronephrotic mouse tissue, nor in microdissected rat glomeruli.

Atrial natriuretic peptide receptors along the rat and rabbit nephrons: [125I] alpha-rat atrial natriuretic peptide binding in microdissected glomeruli and tubules.

Binding of [125I] alpha-rat atrial natriuretic peptide ([125I] alpha-RANP) was measured in glomeruli and pieces of tubule microdissected from rat and rabbit nephrons. High densities of specific ANP binding sites were found only in the glomeruli (10-30 X 10(-18) mol X glom-1), whereas no specific binding could be detected in the proximal tubule, the thin segments of the Henle's loop, the thick ascending limb, the distal tubule and the cortical and outer medullary collecting tubules. Rising the temperature from 4 degrees C to 35 degrees C resulted in biphasic kinetics of binding, suggesting a temperature-dependent inactivation of labelled hormone by glomeruli. At 4 degrees C, specific binding of [125I] alpha-RANP was time and dose-dependent and Scatchard analysis of data indicated an apparent equilibrium dissociation constant of 0.63 nM. Competition experiments revealed the following sequence of stereospecificity for binding to rat glomeruli: RANP 3-28 greater than [125I] alpha-RANP = [125I] alpha-HANP = alpha-RANP = antriopeptin III greater than antriopeptin II, whereas binding was unaffected by pharmacological doses of unrelated peptide hormones, prostaglandins, adrenergic agonists, dopamine, histamine and carbamylcholine. The results indicate that glomerular binding sites might be the physiological ANP receptors.

Atrial natriuretic peptide effects on cGMP and cAMP contents in microdissected glomeruli and segments of the rat and rabbit nephrons

A microradioimmunoassay has been developed in order to measure the changes in cGMP cell content induced in vitro by atrial natriuretic peptides (ANP) in either glomeruli or defined portions of tubules microdissected from collagenase treated rat and rabbit kidneys. When tested at 0.1 microM or 1 microM, all ANP analogues used produced in rat glomeruli a 20-25 fold increase in cGMP accumulation compared to basal values. Threshold responses were obtained with about 1 nM ANP and apparent Ka values ranged between 5 and 50 nM. Atriopeptin III led to similar results in glomeruli isolated from rabbit. Under the same experimental conditions, no cGMP could be detected in any ANP-treated nephron segment from the rat kidney (namely, from the proximal convoluted tubule up to the outer medullary collecting tubule) nor in cortical collecting tubules isolated from the rabbit kidney. Moreover, ANP did not alter the forskolin-induced increase in cAMP content in glomeruli or collecting tubules, nor the AVP-induced increase in cAMP content in collecting tubules. Our data confirm the marked effect of ANP on cGMP generation by isolated glomeruli from rat and rabbit; however, they are not compatible with a direct action of ANP stimulating cGMP generation in tubules or inhibiting vasopressin-induced cAMP generation in collecting tubules.

Effects of atrial natriuretic factor on cyclic guanosine monophosphate and cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation in microdissected nephron segments from rats.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) (1 microM) markedly increased cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) content in microdissected glomeruli (35-fold) and in microdissected inner medullary collecting ducts (IMCD) (20-fold). ANF caused little or no increase in cGMP content in other nephron segments. The threshold concentration for increased cGMP accumulation by ANF was 0.1-1 nM in IMCD, which is in the range reported for rat plasma. Sodium nitroprusside (1 mM), which selectively stimulates soluble guanylate cyclase, increased cGMP content in glomeruli but not in IMCD. ANF did not alter cAMP accumulation in the absence or presence of vasopressin (AVP) or parathyroid hormone (PTH) in outer and inner medullary tubule suspensions, or in microdissected proximal convoluted tubules (PCT), medullary thick ascending limbs (MAL) or IMCD. These data are compatible with the hypothesis that cGMP is a second messenger for a physiologic action of ANF in the inner medullary collecting duct. ANF apparently activates membrane-bound guanylate cyclase in this segment.

Effects of adenosine on renin release from isolated rat glomeruli and kidney slices.

Adenosine produced by the macula densa cells in response to changes in the tubular NaCl-concentration has been suggested to inhibit renin release in vivo. In order to test this suggestion we studied: incubated kidney cortical slices (KS) which contain both the macula densa and the entire afferent arteriole; superfused single microdissected glomeruli (LAG) without macula densa but with the afferent arteriole preserved; and superfused batches of selected glomeruli (SAG) containing only the juxtaglomerular cells closest to the glomerulus. For superfusion and incubation a bicarbonate Ringer solution was used. The specificity of the renin release process was validated by measuring adenylate kinase as a marker for cytoplasmatic leak. Adenosine (10 micrograms/ml) halved basal renin release from incubated KS as compared to controls (P less than 0.001, n = 8, 8). Renin release from LAG stimulated by calcium depletion was also inhibited (P less than 0.05, n = 8, 9) whereas basal release was not affected (n = 6, 12). No effect was detected neither on basal nor on calcium stimulated renin release from SAG. We conclude that adenosine inhibits renin release in vitro by a mechanism independent of a functioning nephron, and which involves only the JG-cells located in the afferent arteriole at some distance from the glomerulus.

Distribution of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase isoenzymes along the rabbit nephron

AbstractDistribution of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase isoenzymes along the rabbit nephron. Total N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity has been measured in microdissected glomeruli (G) and tubular segments [proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), pars recta (PR), medullary thick ascending limb (MAL), and cortical collecting tubule (CCT)] of the rabbit kidney, by a fluorimetric method using synthetic substrate. Selective activity of the isoenzyme NAG B was also determined. Isoenzyme profiles of NAG were obtained by electrofocusing on each segment. Characterization of the isoenzymes was performed by chromatofocusing and thermosensitivity experiments on PCT. Total NAG activity, mainly composed of NAG A, was low in glomeruli and two and one-half to four times higher in PCT than in other segments, in which comparable activities were found. NAG B was detectable all along the nephron. It represented a very small fraction of total NAG, except in PCT where it was more abundant (20 to 30%). Electrofocusing revealed the presence of a minor form (NAG I) all along the nephron. Chromatofocusing and thermosensitivity studies indicated that NAG I could represent imperfectly solubilized NAG A rather than a well defined entity. From these results, it could be suggested that the reported increase in urinary excretion of NAG B after renal injury may reflect the intensity of proximal tubular lesions.Distribution des isoenzymes de la N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase le long du nephron de lapin. L'activité N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase totale (NAG) a été mesurée sur des glomérules (G) et des segments tubulaires [tubule contourné proximal (PCT), pars recta (PR), anse large ascendante médullaire (MAL), et tubule collecteur cortical (CCT)] de rein de lapin, par une mesure fluorimétrique utilisant un substrat synthétique. Nous avons aussi mesuré l'activité sélective de l'isoenzyme NAG B et déterminé par électrofocalisation les profils isoenzymatiques de NAG, sur chaque segment. La caractérisation des isoenzymes a été réalisée sur des PCT, par chromatofocalisation et étude de leur thermosensibilité. L'activité NAG totale, principalement composée de NAG A, est basse dans les glomérules, et deux et demi à quatre fois plus haute dans les PCT que dans les autres segments, sensiblement comparables entre eux. NAG B est détectable tout le long du néphron, où elle ne représente qu'une très faible fraction de NAG totale, sauf dans le PCT, où elle est plus abondante (20 à 30%). L'électrofocalisation permet de discerner une forme mineure (NAG I) tout le long du néphron. Il pourrait s'agir, en réalité, de NAG A imparfaitement solubilisée, plutôt que d'une entité bien définie, comme le suggèrent les expériences de chromatofocalisation et de thermosensibilité. Ces résultats laissent à penser que l'augmentation de l'excrétion urinaire de NAG B, décrite au cours des lésions rénales, représente un indice de la profondeur des lésions tubulaires proximales.

Impaired potency for feedback regulation of glomerular filtration rate in DOCA escaped rats.

The present experiments were performed to study the effect of chronic extracellular volume expansion on the magnitude of tubulo-glomerular feedback responses in the rat kidney. Extracellular volume expansion was achieved by giving isotonic saline as drinking water and by injecting DOCA in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg - day. When Ringer perfusion rate through the loop of Henle was elevated in control rats (receiving only saline as drinking water) stop flow pressure (SFP) fell by an average of 0.47 +/- 0.81 mm Hg (mean +/- S.D.) and 7.93 +/- 2.85 mm Hg at the flow rate steps of 0--15 nl/min and 15--40 nl/min respectively. SN-GFR was reduced by a mean of 1.3 +/- 0.97 nl/min (0--15 nl/min) and 10.3 +/- 2.45 nl/min (15--40 nl/min). In DOCA treated rats the mean reductions of SFP were 0.98 +/- 0.9 mmHg and 2.1 +/- 1.4 mmHg and of SN-GFR 0.06 +/- 1.8 nl/min and 1.94 +/- 2.3 nl/min. Thus, significantly smaller changes of both SFP and SN-GFR were found in DOCA treated animals when flow rate was elevated from 15--40 nl/min. Net loop NaCl absorption rates did not significantly differ between control and DOCA rats. Renin activity of 5 pooled microdissected glomeruli was 15.6 +/- 17.1 ng/hr-0.1 ml in control and 2.94 +/- 2.6 ng/hr-0.1 ml in DOCA treated rats (P less than 0.01). It is possible therefore that the reduced feedback reactivity in DOCA treated rats is related to the diminished juxtaglomerular renin activity.