Opossum Kidney Epithelial Cells Research Articles

Effect of protamine on the accumulation of gentamicin in opossum kidney epithelial cells

The purpose of this study was to examine whether or not protamine, an arginine-rich basic protein mixture, inhibits the accumulation of gentamicin, a nephrotoxic drug, in cultured opossum kidney (OK) epithelial cells. The effect of protamine from salmon on accumulation and binding of [(3) H]gentamicin was investigated in OK cells. Protamine inhibited the binding and accumulation of [(3) H]gentamicin in a concentration-dependent manner. The accumulation of [(14) C]inulin, a marker of fluid-phase endocytosis, was not affected by protamine at concentrations up to 1 mm. l-Arginine at concentrations up to 10 mm had no significant effect on the accumulation of [(3) H]gentamicin. On the other hand, preincubation with 100 μm protamine for 5 min decreased the accumulation of [(3) H]gentamicin to almost the same extent as coincubation with 100 μm protamine for 60 min. Our results indicate that protamine decreases the accumulation of gentamicin in OK cells. These findings suggest that protamine or its derivatives might be useful in preventing the nephrotoxicity of aminoglycoside antibiotics including gentamicin.

Characterization of Protamine Uptake by Opossum Kidney Epithelial Cells

Protamine, a mixture of polypeptides that is rich in arginine, has been used clinically as an antidote to heparin overdoses and a complexing agent in a long-acting insulin preparation. When protamine is administered intravenously, its abundant accumulation in the kidneys has been reported. However, the renal uptake mechanism for protamine is not clear. In this study, we examined the transport mechanism for protamine in opossum kidney (OK) cells, a suitable in vitro model for renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the association of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled protamine from salmon (FITC-protamine) by OK cells was inhibited by unlabeled protamine in a concentration-dependent manner. The association of FITC-protamine was temperature- and energy-dependent. Confocal microscopy analysis showed that the fluorescence was localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus of OK cells. In addition, FITC-protamine association was inhibited by cationic drugs such as polycationic gentamicin and polymixin B, but it was increased by a basic amino acid, arginine. Inhibitors for clathrin- and caveolin-dependent endocytosis showed inhibitory effects on FITC-protamine association. Pretreatment with heparinase III partially but significantly decreased the association of FITC-protamine. These results suggest that protamine may be taken up by OK cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis, which may result in its localization in the cytoplasm and nucleus of the cells.

Structure–Activity Relationships Imply Different Mechanisms of Action for Ochratoxin A-Mediated Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a fungal toxin that is classified as a possible human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence for carcinogenicity in animal studies. The toxin is known to promote oxidative DNA damage through production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The toxin also generates covalent DNA adducts, and it has been difficult to separate the biological effects caused by DNA adduction from that of ROS generation. In the current study, we have derived structure-activity relationships (SAR) for the role of the C5 substituent of OTA (C5-X = Cl) by first comparing the ability of OTA, OTBr (C5-X = Br), OTB (C5-X = H), and OTHQ (C5-X = OH) to photochemically react with GSH and 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG). OTA, OTBr, and OTHQ react covalently with GSH and dG following photoirradiation, while the nonchlorinated OTB does not react photochemically with GSH and dG. These findings correlate with their ability to generate covalent DNA adducts (direct genotoxicity) in human bronchial epithelial cells (WI26) and human kidney (HK2) cells, as evidenced by the (32)P-postlabeling technique. OTB lacks direct genotoxicity, while OTA, OTBr, and OTHQ act as direct genotoxins. In contrast, their cytotoxicity in opossum kidney epithelial cells (OK) and WI26 cells did not show a correlation with photoreactivity. In OK and WI26 cells, OTA, OTBr, and OTB are cytotoxic, while the hydroquinone OTHQ failed to exhibit cytotoxicity. Overall, our data show that the C5-Cl atom of OTA is critical for direct genotoxicity but plays a lesser role in OTA-mediated cytotoxicity. These SARs suggest different mechanisms of action (MOA) for OTA genotoxicity and cytotoxicity and are consistent with recent findings showing OTA mutagenicity to stem from direct genotoxicity, while cytotoxicity is derived from oxidative DNA damage.

Opossum kidney epithelial cells (OK line) expressing EGFP fused to LAMP1 (targeting the lysosomes): Movie 1_20.

Opossum kidney epithelial cells (OK line) expressing EGFP fused to LAMP1 (targeting the lysosomes): Movie 1_20.

Opossum kidney epithelial cells (OK line) expressing EGFP fused to an endosome targeting signal: Movie 1_18.

Opossum kidney epithelial cells (OK line) expressing EGFP fused to an endosome targeting signal: Movie 1_18.

Opossum kidney epithelial cells (OK line) expressing EGFP fused to human β-actin: Movie 1_17.

Opossum kidney epithelial cells (OK line) expressing EGFP fused to human β-actin: Movie 1_17.

Opossum kidney epithelial cells (OK line) expressing EYFP fused to a targeting signal for the Golgi apparatus: Movie 1_22.

Opossum kidney epithelial cells (OK line) expressing EYFP fused to a targeting signal for the Golgi apparatus: Movie 1_22.

Opossum kidney epithelial cells (OK line) expressing EYFP fused to human β-actin: Movie 1_21.

Opossum kidney epithelial cells (OK line) expressing EYFP fused to human β-actin: Movie 1_21.

Opossum kidney epithelial cells (OK line) expressing EGFP fused to a targeting signal for the Golgi apparatus: Movie 1_19.

Opossum kidney epithelial cells (OK line) expressing EGFP fused to a targeting signal for the Golgi apparatus: Movie 1_19.

Modulation of adenosine receptor expression in the proximal tubule: a novel adaptive mechanism to regulate renal salt and water metabolism

about 180 liters of filtrate are produced by the human kidneys every day, with more than 99% of the filtered salt and water being subsequently reabsorbed along the nephron. In view of this high level of renal filtration, even slight alterations in the balance between filtration and reabsorption will

Production of gastric intrinsic factor, transcobalamin, and haptocorrin in opossum kidney cells.

Opossum kidney epithelial cells were shown previously to synthesize and secrete two cobalamin (Cbl)-binding proteins, presumed to be haptocorrin (Hc) and transcobalamin II (TCII). The present study examines the hypothesis that renal tubular cells also produce intrinsic factor (IF), and this production provides an explanation for the presence of IF in urine. By using antisera raised against human IF and against TCII, the presence of TCII was confirmed, and that of IF discovered in the media of opossum kidney (OK) cells in culture. The apparent molecular weight of IF and TCII was 68 and 43 kDa, respectively. Immunoreactivity on Western blot of the putative IF protein was blocked by recombinant human IF. When proteins secreted into the media were separated electrophoretically under nondenaturing conditions after binding with [(57)Co]Cbl, a broad major band migrated at a relative front independently of recombinant IF or TCII, and probably represents Hc, as the Cbl binding is blocked by cobinamide. Small amounts of bound [(57)Co]Cbl migrated in the position of both IF and TCII, when cobinamide was present. The presence of IF and TCII in OK cells was confirmed by immunohistology. Specific reactivity for IF (blocked by recombinant IF) was found in proximal tubules of opossum kidney, but not in other portions of the nephron, confirming the ability of anti-human IF antiserum to detect opossum IF. A 732-bp fragment of IF, nearly identical in sequence to rat IF, was isolated by RT-PCR from opossum kidney mRNA, and Western blot confirmed the presence of IF protein. The presence of IF was also documented in rat kidney by isolation of an RT-PCR fragment, immunocytochemistry, and Western blot. IF should be added to the list of renal (proximal) tubular antigens that are shared by other epithelia.

Inhibitory effect of KW-3902, an adenosine A 1 receptor antagonist, on p-aminohippurate transport in OK cells

KW-3902 (8-(noradamantan-3-yl)-1,3-dipropylxanthine) is a novel potent and selective adenosine A 1 receptor antagonist. We examined the effect of KW-3902 on p-aminohippurate (PAH) transport in opossum kidney (OK) epithelial cells. Pretreatment for 3 h with KW-3902 inhibited the transcellular transport of PAH across OK cell monolayers from the basal to the apical side. The uptake of PAH across the basolateral membrane of OK cells was inhibited by KW-3902 pretreatment in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. A kinetic analysis revealed that the inhibitory effect of KW-3902 on the basolateral PAH uptake was due to an increase in the Michaelis constant ( K m) as well as a decrease in the maximum uptake rate ( V max), showing that the inhibition was a mixed type. Pretreatment with adenosine deaminase or 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, another selective adenosine A 1 receptor antagonist, also decreased the basolateral PAH uptake. KW-3902 pretreatment had no effect on the concentration of intracellular α-ketoglutarate which exchanges for PAH across the basolateral membrane of OK cells. These results suggest that KW-3902 has an inhibitory effect on PAH transport in OK epithelial cells.

Nucleobase transport in opossum kidney epithelial cells and Xenopus laevis oocytes: the characterisation, structure–activity relationship of uracil analogues and oocyte expression studies of sodium-dependent and -independent hypoxanthine uptake

The characteristics of hypoxanthine transport were examined in opossum kidney (OK) epithelial cells and Xenopus laevis oocytes. In both cell types hypoxanthine influx was mediated by two distinct transport systems: a high-affinity Na +-dependent system and a Na +-independent transporter. Na +-dependent hypoxanthine transport in OK cells was saturable ( K m 0.78±0.29 μM) and was inhibited by guanine, uracil, thymine and 5-fluorouracil ( K i values 0.5–7 μM), whereas adenine had no effect. Substitutions at the 2- and 4-position had a marked effect on the ability of uracil to inhibit Na +/hypoxanthine influx by OK cells revealing that an oxo group at both the 2- and 4-positions of uracil is required for interacting with the transporter. The properties of Na +-dependent hypoxanthine influx in oocytes were similar to those observed in OK cells. In particular, xanthine and oxypurinol inhibited hypoxanthine influx, a characteristic not observed previously for the Na +/nucleobase carrier in pig LLC-PK 1 renal cells. Na +-independent hypoxanthine influx in OK cells and oocytes was of a lower affinity ( K m 90–180 μM). Adenine and guanine inhibited Na +-independent hypoxanthine flux in OK cells, but had no effect in oocytes. Injection of LLC-PK 1 mRNA into oocytes resulted in a 1.5-fold stimulation of Na +/hypoxanthine flux over water-injected oocytes. These results reveal further heterogeneity in Na +/nucleobase cotransporters.

A Mutant of Deleted Variant of Hepatocyte Growth Factor (dHGF) with Alanine Substitution in the N-Terminal Basic Region Has Higher Activityin Vivo

In a previous study, we generated a mutant of dHGF (deleted variant of hepatocyte growth factor), termed #2, with higher specific activity than dHGF in assays of mitogenic activity on rat hepatocytes and America opossum kidney epithelial cells (OK). In the present study, we examinein vivohepatotropic and renotropic activities of #2 and its distribution to target tissues, liver and kidney. Administration of #2 to normal rats significantly increased serum levels of total protein, albumin, free-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol and liver weight in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of these parameters suggests that #2 is more potent than dHGF as a hepatotropic factorin vivo.In addition, #2 reduced mortality of mercuric chloride-administered mice and the effect was stronger than that of dHGF. When injected to mice, a larger amount of #2 than dHGF was rapidly distributed to the liver. Sixty minutes after injection, the concentrations of #2 in plasma, liver, and kidney were higher than those of dHGF. These distribution properties and the higher mitogenic activityin vitromay explain why #2 exerts more potentin vivobiological activity than dHGF.

Transforming growth factor-beta: a down-regulator of the parathyroid hormone-related protein receptor in renal epithelial cells.

We have recently provided evidence for the ability of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF beta) to modulate PTH-related protein (PTHrP)-mediated responses in opossum kidney (OK) cells through reducing the number of PTHrP receptor-binding sites. In the present studies, we investigated the possible mechanisms by which TGF beta might regulate PTHrP receptor density in OK cells, an area that has remained largely unexplored. The steady state level of PTHrP receptor mRNA was time dependently reduced by TGF beta treatment, with the nadir (approximately 3-fold decrease) between 6-10 h, preceding the maximal inhibition on PTHrP receptor binding at 18 h. We then assessed whether the 41% reduction in binding consequent to 18-h TGF beta exposure was reversible. PTHrP-binding activity recovered considerably after 24 h (23% decrease compared with controls) and almost completely by 48 h. However, the addition of monensin or cycloheximide, but not actinomycin (at a dose effective in preventing TGF beta action in this system) during the 24-h recovery period prevented restoration of PTHrP binding. Upon removal of TGF beta, the PTHrP receptor message showed a trend toward recovery in the ensuing 24 h. Therefore, TGF beta provides an example of heterologous desensitization of the PTHrP receptor in OK epithelial cells by decreasing the expression of the receptor message. The desensitization was reversible, and the first 24-h recovery phase was dependent on synthesis and processing of new receptor proteins.

Hepatocyte Growth Factor and Its Variant with a Deletion of Five Amino Acids Are Distinguishable in Their Biological Activity and Tertiary Structure

A naturally occurring splice variant of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) lacks a 5-amino acid sequence in the first kringle domain. Comparison of HGF and the deletion variant (dHGF) revealed that the deletion significantly altered the biological activities, solubility, and immunological property of HGF. HGF was respectively about 20-, 10-, and 2-fold more potent than dHGF in the stimulation of DNA synthesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, human aorta smooth muscle cells, and NSF-60 (murine myeloblastic cells). Conversely, dHGF was respectively about 3-, 2-, and 2-fold more potent than HGF in the stimulation of DNA synthesis in LLC-PK1 (pig kidney epithelial cells), OK (American opossum kidney epithelial cells), and rat hepatocytes. Moreover, HGF was over 70-fold more soluble than dHGF in PBS. Several monoclonal antibodies raised against dHGF recognized only dHGF and neither HGF nor reduced dHGF, demonstrating that the deletion caused a tertiary structural change. The structural change in HGF may be responsible for its altered biological activities and solubility.

Quantitation of fluid-phase endocytosis by proximal tubular cells in culture

Two procedures are described for quantitating fluid-phase endocytosis in monolayer cultures of opossum kidney epithelial cells. Both procedures use the same principle which is to determine uptake of a specific, easily detectable compound in the extracellular fluid. One method uses lucifer yellow, the other uses horseradish peroxidase.

Synthesis and secretion of Cobalamin binding proteins by opossum kidney cells

Opossum kidney epithelial cells synthesize and secrete two Cobalamin (Cbl) binding proteins of Mr 66,000 and 43,000. When grown on culture inserts, the apical medium contained both these proteins while the basolateral medium contained only the 43 kDa Cbl binder. Colchicine, a microtubule disruptive drug, increased two fold the apical but not the basolateral secretion of the Cbl binding proteins. Although the opossum Cbl binders did not cross react with antiserum raised to Cbl binders from other species, the identity based on Cbl binding and size suggest that the 66 kDa and 43 kDa proteins are haptocorrin and transcobalamin II.

Adenosine stimulates phosphate and glucose transport in opossum kidney epithelial cells.

We have examined the effects of adenosine on sodium-coupled phosphate and glucose transport in cultured opossum kidney (OK) cells, a continuous cell line that resembles proximal tubule. Adenosine analogues R-(-)-N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA) and 2',5'-dideoxy-adenosine (DDA) were employed as adenosine A1 receptor and P site-selective agonists, respectively. Sodium-dependent phosphate uptake activity (Na-Pi symport) increased by approximately 25% above both basal and parathyroid hormone (PTH)-inhibited levels in cells treated with PIA (0.1, 1 microM) but not in cells treated with DDA (100 microM). Adenosine (PIA) also stimulated sodium-coupled 3-O-methylglucose transport by approximately 40%. Intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) content was inversely related to Na-Pi symport activity in cells treated with PIA and PTH. However, changes in Na-Pi symport activity did not consistently relate to changes in intracellular cAMP. Protein kinase C was activated 15 s after treatment of OK cells with 1 microM PIA. Preincubation of cells with 3 microM staurosporine attenuated the effect of 1 microM PIA on phosphate uptake. These data suggest that Na-Pi and Na-glucose symport activities are stimulated by adenosine acting at a receptor coupled to more than one intracellular signal. It is likely that both protein kinases A and C are involved in these actions of adenosine.

Insulin stimulates phosphate transport in opossum kidney epithelial cells

Insulin is antiphosphaturic in vivo and this effect is due, in part, to increased Na(+)-dependent phosphate uptake across the luminal brush-border membrane of the proximal tubule. The intracellular mechanism is not understood. The present study shows that the stimulatory effect of insulin on phosphate transport can be reproduced in opossum kidney (OK) cells, suggesting that this established renal epithelial cell line may be a good model for further studies on insulin action on renal phosphate transport. The stimulation by insulin was dose related when insulin was used at concentrations within the range of 10(-14) to 10(-8) M. At 10(-8) M, insulin had no effect on Na(+)-independent uptake of phosphate or on the Na(+)-dependent uptakes of methyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside and glutamate. The onset of insulin action on phosphate uptake was detected within 15 min, and the stimulation was reversed completely within 30 min after removal of insulin from the medium. Insulin action was not blocked by protein synthesis inhibitors and was not altered by bacitracin, an inhibitor of intracellular degradation of insulin. Pretreatment with the calcium-channel blockers, nifedipine and verapamil (10(-4) M), produced significant increases in the stimulatory effect of insulin, suggesting indirectly that insulin action on phosphate uptake may be influenced by Ca2+. In contrast to in vivo studies, there was no evidence that insulin interfered with parathyroid hormone action on OK cells.