Rat Glomerular Mesangial Cells Research Articles

Translocation of protein kinase C ? and ? in rat glomerular mesangial cells cultured under high glucose conditions

Translocation of protein kinase C ? and ? in rat glomerular mesangial cells cultured under high glucose conditions

Mechanical stretch/relaxation of cultured rat mesangial cells induces protooncogenes and cyclooxygenase.

In cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells, continuous cycles of stretching and relaxation (stretch/relaxation) stimulate cell proliferation, protein synthesis, and prostaglandin production. We examined regulation of gene expression that may underlie these alterations in cell functions. Stretch/relaxation caused time-dependent induction of the immediate early genes, c-fos and zif 268/egr-1, with maximal increases occurring between 15 and 30 min. The mitogen-inducible prostaglandin G2/H2 synthase (PGH2S-2) gene was also induced within 30 min of stretch/relaxation, with concomitant increases in the immunoreactive PGH2S-2 protein. These gene inductions were preceded by transient translocation of protein kinase C activity from cytosol to membrane as well as by increases in 45Ca2+ uptake and total cellular calcium content. The stretch/relaxation-induced expression was suppressed by protein kinase C inhibition, whereas less profound inhibition was observed with inhibition of calcium influx in low (100 nM) calcium buffer. These findings indicate that in mesangial cells mechanical stress induces expression of the protooncogenes and the mitogen-inducible cyclooxygenase primarily through protein kinase C-dependent mechanisms.

Ca(2+)-permeable channel associated with platelet-derived growth factor receptor in mesangial cells.

We used patch-clamp methods to study the effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on Ca2+ entry in cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells. In cell-attached patches, application of 50 ng/ml PDGF-BB inside, but not outside, the pipette frequently induced channel openings. The unitary conductance was 0.67 +/- 0.09 pS (n = 8) with 110 mM Mn2+ and 1.03 +/- 0.19 pS (n = 11) with 110 mM Ca2+ as the charge carrier. Number of channels times open probability was 0.515 +/- 0.144 (n = 14) with intrapipette PDGF and 0.037 +/- 0.022 (n = 12) without. Channel kinetics were only slightly voltage dependent. There was no effect of replacing chloride with gluconate in excised inside-out patches, showing that the channel was cation selective. The permeability (P) ratio for PMn/PNa was 1.65 and for PCa/PNa was 1.24. With the use of amphotericin B " perforated" whole cell patches, PDGF induced a small inward current (-16.1 +/- 4.33 pA; n = 11, membrane potential = -70 mV) consistent with 3,000-4,000 channels/cell. In summary, we have described a very-low-conductance Ca(2+)-permeable channel in rat mesangial cells with the following properties. 1) Activation by PDGF-BB occurs only when applied in close proximity to the channel. 2) Once activated, open probability is only slightly voltage dependent. 3) Under normal circumstances, the channel would probably appear to be cation nonselective, but with a permeability to divalent more than monovalent cations. 4) This PDGF-induced channel could provide a ligand-gated pathway for Ca2+ entry into mesangial cells that does not require membrane depolarization.

Translocation of protein kinase C alpha and zeta in rat glomerular mesangial cells cultured under high glucose conditions.

The activities and expression of protein kinase C isoenzymes were examined in glomerular mesangial cells cultured under high glucose conditions. Exposure of cells to high glucose concentrations (27.8 mmol/l) for more than 3 days resulted in a significant elevation of protein kinase C activities in the membrane fraction. Of the protein kinase C isoenzymes, the levels of protein kinase C alpha significantly increased in the membrane fraction after 3 days of exposure to glucose, and protein kinase C zeta increased after 5 days of exposure. Levels of protein kinase C delta and epsilon remained unchanged and protein kinase, C beta and gamma were not detected. These results indicate that protein kinase C alpha and zeta are translocated under high glucose conditions possibly through different mechanisms.

High glucose elevates c-fos and c-jun transcripts and proteins in mesangial cell cultures

It has been previously shown that rat glomerular mesangial cells synthesized increased amounts of fibronectin, laminin, and type IV collagen when grown in medium containing 30 mM glucose. High glucose exerted its effect at the mRNA level since transcripts for all three extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins were similarly elevated. High glucose appeared to exert its effect on ECM mRNA levels through protein kinase C activation. Using quantitative reverse transcription (RT) PCR, we now report that mRNA levels for c-fos and c-jun were increased approximately twofold after treatment with high glucose. The fos levels were elevated 15 minutes after addition of high glucose and were maintained elevated through 30 minutes; by one hour mRNA levels for fos returned to control levels. c-jun, on the other hand, was increased at two hours and remained elevated at 24 and 48 hours. Fibronectin mRNA levels were increased three- to fourfold at 24 and 48 hours. Immunofluorescence studies with polyclonal antibodies to c-fos and c-jun revealed that high glucose treatment for four hours increased nuclear staining intensity two- to threefold for both proteins. Nuclear staining for fos returned to control levels by 24 hours while staining for jun remained elevated. These determinations were made on images obtained on a confocal laser scanning microscope. Thus, high glucose may effect gene expression of ECM proteins by elevating the transcription factors c-fos and c-jun which complex with one another to form activator protein 1 (AP-1).

Two distinct signaling pathways trigger the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in rat renal mesangial cells.

The expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS; EC 1.14.13.39) is induced in rat glomerular mesangial cells by exposure to the inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) or cAMP-elevating agents. Stimulation with IL-1 beta alone leads to an approximately 40-fold increase in NOS activity and nitrite synthesis, whereas the elevation of cAMP with forskolin, cholera toxin, salbutamol, or dibutyryl-cAMP for 24 h resulted in a 2- to 12-fold increase in NOS activity. Moreover, the combinations of IL-1 beta with each of the cAMP-elevating agents greatly enhanced NOS activity in a synergistic fashion. Northern-blot analysis demonstrated a single band of approximately 4.5 kb for the NOS mRNA in rat mesangial cells. IL-1 beta increased NOS mRNA levels in a dose- and time-dependent fashion with a peak of NOS mRNA at 24 h. Dibutyryl-cAMP also increased NOS mRNA levels in mesangial cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, combination of IL-1 beta and forskolin revealed a strong synergy with maximal mRNA levels 12 h after stimulation. Nuclear run-on transcription experiments suggest that IL-1 beta and cAMP synergistically interact to increase NOS gene expression at the transcriptional level. Furthermore, message stability studies established that NOS mRNA induced by cAMP has a longer half-life than the IL-1 beta-induced message. Moreover, cAMP exposure markedly prolonged the half-life of NOS mRNA from 1 h to 3 h. These data suggest that the level of NOS mRNA is controlled by at least two different signaling pathways, one involving cAMP and the other being triggered by cytokines such as IL-1 beta. The two pathways act synergistically and thus potently up-regulate the expression of inducible NOS in rat mesangial cells.

Low density lipoprotein enhances the cellular action of arginine vasopressin in rat glomerular mesangial cells in culture.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether low density lipoprotein (LDL) modulates the cellular action of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in rat glomerular mesangial cells in culture. AVP increased cellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in a dose-dependent manner. When cells were preincubated for 24 h with 10 microgram/ml LDL, the 1 x 10(-7) M AVP-mobilized [Ca2+]i was 874 nM, a value significantly greater than that of 375 nM in the intact cells. AVP caused a biphasic change in cellular pH (pHi), namely, an early acidification followed by a sustained alkalinization, and the change in pHi produced by AVP was also enhanced by LDL. AVP stimulated a 2.2-fold increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation, an effect significantly greater in the presence of 10 micrograms/ml LDL. Furthermore, 1 x 10(-7) M AVP significantly activated mitogen-activated protein kinase from 14.0 to 24.5 pmol/mg protein. Such an activation was significantly enhanced by the LDL pretreatment. Both [3H]thymide incorporation and mitogen-activated protein kinase were not altered by 10 micrograms/ml LDL. [3H]AVP receptor binding was not affected by the LDL pretreatment. 1 x 10(-7) M AVP increased inositol trisphosphate production by 1.9-fold, an effect significantly greater in the presence of LDL. These results indicate that LDL enhances the cellular action of AVP and the AVP-stimulated cellular proliferation in glomerular mesangial cells. A site of action of LDL is the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol.

Angiotensin II stimulates extracellular matrix protein synthesis through induction of transforming growth factor-beta expression in rat glomerular mesangial cells.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) has been implicated in the development of progressive glomerulosclerosis, but the precise mechanism of this effect remains unclear. In an experimental model, we have shown previously that TGF-beta plays a key role in glomerulosclerosis by stimulating extracellular matrix protein synthesis, increasing matrix protein receptors, and altering protease/protease-inhibitor balance, thereby inhibiting matrix degradation. We hypothesized that Ang II contributes to glomerulosclerosis through induction of TGF-beta. Ang II treatment of rat mesangial cells in culture increased TGF-beta and matrix components biglycan, fibronectin, and collagen type I at both the mRNA and protein levels in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Saralasin, a competitive inhibitor of Ang II, prevented the stimulation. Ang II also promoted conversion of latent TGF-beta to the biologically active form. Coincubation of mesangial cells with Ang II and neutralizing antibody to TGF-beta blocked the Ang II-induced increases in matrix protein expression. Continuous in vivo administration of Ang II to normal rats for 7 d resulted in 70% increases in glomerular mRNA for both TGF-beta and collagen type I. These results indicate that Ang II induces mesangial cell synthesis of matrix proteins and show that these effects are mediated by Ang II induction of TGF-beta expression. This mechanism may well contribute to glomerulosclerosis in vivo.

Expression of nitric oxide synthase in rat glomerular mesangial cells mediated by cyclic AMP.

1. Treatment of rat mesangial cells with interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) or tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) has been shown to induce a macrophage-type of nitric oxide (NO) synthase. Here we report that adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) is another mediator that triggers induction of NO synthase in mesangial cells. 2. Incubation of mesangial cells with the beta-adrenoceptor agonist, salbutamol, forskolin or cholera toxin, which all activate adenylate cyclase and increase intracellular cyclic AMP concentration, increased nitrite formation in a dose-dependent manner. Likewise, the addition of the membrane-permeable cyclic AMP analogue, N6, 0-2'-dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-phosphate (Bt2 cyclic AMP) or the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine enhanced NO synthase activity in a dose-dependent manner. 3. There was a lag period of about 8 h before a significantly enhanced secretion of nitrite could be detected upon exposure of cells to forskolin and for maximal stimulation, forskolin had to be present during the whole incubation period. 4. Treatment of mesangial cells with actinomycin D, cycloheximide or dexamethasone completely suppressed forskolin-stimulated NO-synthase activity, thus demonstrating that transcription and protein synthesis are necessary for nitrite formation. 5. Bt2 cyclic AMP, the most potent inducer of nitrite production, increased NO synthase mRNA levels in mesangial cells in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. Dexamethasone completely inhibited the increase of NO synthase mRNA in response to Bt2 cyclic AMP. 6. Combination of Bt2 cyclic AMP and IL-1 beta or TNF alpha revealed a strong synergy in terms of nitrite formation. Time-course studies indicated that cyclic AMP needed to be increased during the whole period of IL-1 Beta stimulation for maximal nitrite production.7. These observations suggest that cyclic AMP controls NO synthase expression in mesangial cells.Furthermore, the signalling cascades triggered by IL-1 Beta and TNF alpha synergize with the cyclic AMP pathway to stimulate NO synthase activity.

Long-term effects of growth factors on pH and acid-base transport in rat glomerular mesangial cells.

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.

Mechanisms of glucose-enhanced extracellular matrix accumulation in rat glomerular mesangial cells.

In view of the importance of mesangial extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation in the pathogenesis of diabetic glomerulosclerosis, we investigated 1) the effects of high glucose on ECM production by rat glomerular mesangial cells in culture (study A) and 2) the mechanisms underlying these effects, particularly the role of high sugar levels irrespective of intracellular metabolism (study B1) and of excess glucose disposal via the polyol pathway and associated biochemical alterations (study B2). Cells were cultured for 4 weeks, through six to eight passages, under the experimental conditions indicated below and, at each passage, the levels of fibronectin (FN), laminin (LAM), and collagen types I (C-I), III (C-III), IV (C-IV), and VI (C-VI) in media and cell extracts were quantified by an enzyme immunoassay. In study A, medium and cell content of matrix were assessed, together with [3H]leucine and [3H]thymidine incorporation into monolayers, polyol, fructose, and myo-inositol levels and the cytosolic redox state, in cells grown in high (30 mM) D-glucose or iso-osmolar mannitol versus cells cultured in normal (5.5 mM) D-glucose. FN, LAM, C-IV, and C-VI accumulation, but not C-I and C-III accumulation, was increased by 30 mM glucose, but not by iso-osmolar mannitol, when compared with 5.5 mM glucose, starting at week 2 and, except for C-VI, persisting throughout the remaining 2 weeks, whereas no change was observed in the measured indexes of total protein synthesis and DNA synthesis/cell proliferation. At any time point, polyol levels were increased, whereas myo-inositol was reduced by high glucose; in cells grown under elevated glucose concentrations, the lactate/pyruvate (L/P) ratio, an index of the cytosolic redox state, progressively increased. In study B1, the effects of high D-glucose were compared with those of iso-osmolar concentrations of sugars that are partly or not metabolized but are capable of inducing nonenzymatic glycosylation, such as D-galactose and L-glucose, and of mannitol, which does not enter the cell. Both D-galactose and L-glucose, but not mannitol, partly mimicked D-glucose-induced ECM overproduction. Although D-galactose is metabolized via the polyol pathway and alters the cytosolic redox state, ECM changes induced by high galactose were not prevented by the use of an aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI), Alcon 1576 (14 microM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Mechanisms of glucose-enhanced extracellular matrix accumulation in rat glomerular mesangial cells

Mechanisms of glucose-enhanced extracellular matrix accumulation in rat glomerular mesangial cells

Effects of aldehyde-modified proteins on mesangial cell-matrix interaction

We examined the effect of aldehyde-modified matrix macromolecules on mesangial cell function in vitro, using incubated rat glomerular mesangial cells. Laminin and fibronectin were modified by incubation for 24 h with 50 mM glycolaldehyde (GA), a highly reactive cross-linking glycation product, with or without equimolar aminoguanidine. GA-modified laminin and fibronectin caused marked inhibition of cell adhesion. Cell spreading was reduced on the GA-modified laminin. In contrast, the GA-modified fibronectin had no effect on cell spreading. The study of thymidine incorporation by mesangial cells showed that the GA-modified fibronectin had a diminished mitogenic activity against cells. The content of advanced glycation end-product (AGE), which was determined by fluorescence at 370 nm excitation and 440 nm emission wavelength, increased and intermolecular cross-links appeared in the GA-modified proteins. To a large extent, aminoguanidine restored the structural alterations and functional deteriorations described above. We conclude that GA-modified matrix proteins diminish their functional properties against mesangial cells and affect cellular functions.

Heparin inhibits the binding of immune complexes to cultured rat mesangial cells.

Glomerular mesangial cells bear Fc receptors which bind immune complexes. Cross-linking of these receptors induces the release of cytokines chemotactic for macrophages; the receptors may also be involved in the localization of large circulating immune complexes to the mesangium. Heparin has been shown to enhance the removal of antigen from the glomeruli of rats with chronic serum sickness glomerulonephritis, and from the isolated perfused rat kidney, so we investigated the effect of heparin on the binding of immune complexes by rat glomerular mesangial cells in culture. Heparin was found almost to eliminate binding of radiolabelled immune complexes to cultured rat mesangial cells. Pretreatment of the cells with heparin for 24 h followed by washing before the addition of immune complexes had the same effect. A parallel study showed that heparin had no effect on immune complex binding to thioglycollate-elicited rat peritoneal macrophages. To investigate the molecular properties required for this effect we treated cultured cells with high- or low-molecular-weight dextran sulphate. High-molecular-weight dextran sulphate was found to inhibit the subsequent binding of immune complexes to the mesangial cells, although the effect appeared to be smaller than with heparin. Low-molecular-weight dextran sulphate had no detectable effect. Subsequent studies showed that heparin is also capable of removing immune complexes which have already bound to mesangial cells in vitro. We conclude that heparin can block the binding of immune complexes to the Fc receptor of cultured mesangial cells, but not to peritoneal macrophages. The success of heparin pretreatment indicates that the effect is on the cells rather than on the complexes in suspension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Uptake of nanoparticles by rat glomerular mesangial cells in vivo and in vitro.

Glomerular mesangial cells play a major role in the structure of capillary loops, generation of mediators of inflammation, and uptake of macromolecules. We demonstrate here that isobutylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles loaded with actinomycin D (ADNP) concentrate in rat mesangial cells in vitro and in vivo, as compared to the free drug (AD). In normal rats injected with 20 micrograms of 3H-ADNP or 3H-AD, the uptake ratios 3H-ADNP/3H-AD measured in whole kidneys at 30 and 120 min were 2.2 +/- 1.0 and 2.3 +/- 0.9, respectively. The same ratios calculated for isolated rat glomeruli and tubules, were 4.1 +/- 0.5 and 0.8 +/- 0.2 at 30 min, and 2.6 +/- 0.5 and 0.6 +/- 0.3 at 120 min, respectively. In the glomeruli, the absolute uptake of 3H-ADNP corresponded to 7.5 (30 min) and 1.8 (120 min)% I.D./100 mg of protein. In rats with experimental glomerulonephritis, the uptakes of 3H-ADNP and 3H-AD by the glomeruli were 6.9 and 4.0 times higher than in normal rats, respectively. In vitro experiments demonstrated up to 5 times higher uptake by glomerular mesangial cells than by epithelial cells. Uptake was maximum after 60 min, higher at 37 degrees C than at 4 degrees C, dependent on the presence of fresh serum and inhibited by cytochalasin-B. Drug targeting by nanoparticles is thus possible to renal cells involved in inflammatory processes, especially mesangial cells and macrophages. Nanoparticles could also be useful for lowering drug concentration in tubular cells, to reduce any tubular toxicity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Induction of manganese superoxide dismutase by glucocorticoids in glomerular cells

Our previous in vivo study demonstrated that methylprednisolone (MP) activates glomerular antioxidant enzymes and attenuates glomerular oxidant injuries, including those in experimental nephrosis. The present study investigates the cellular mechanism of the MP-induced activation of antioxidant enzymes and their contribution to the attenuation of cellular oxidant toxicity. When bovine glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) were treated with 10 microM MP, cellular manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD, 3.95 +/- 0.33 mu/mg protein, M +/- SE) and catalase (1.64 +/- 0.06 k/mg protein) activities were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated above control GECs (2.23 +/- 0.43 mu/mg protein and 1.06 +/- 0.09 k/mg protein, respectively). When GECs pretreated with MP (10 microM 24 hrs) were exposed to xanthine (0.1 mM)+xanthine oxidase (5 mU/ml) for four hours, levels of specific membrane lipid peroxidation products, that is, phosphatidylcholine- and phosphatidylethanolamine-hydroperoxides, remained at levels 10 to 25% of those measured in non-MP-treated (xanthine/xanthine oxidase-exposed) control cells. Moreover, the degree of cell damage following exposure to the superoxide generating system, assessed by 51Cr release, was significantly attenuated in MP-treated cells (approximately 50% of MP-non-treated controls, N = 6). Thus, MP-treated GECs with elevated antioxidant enzyme activities by MP were more resistant to the toxic effect of reactive oxygen metabolites. The mechanism of antioxidant enzyme induction by MP was studied for Mn-SOD. MP was shown to enhance Mn-SOD mRNA in bovine GECs and rat glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) in dose-dependent manners.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Morin hydrate protects cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells against oxyradical damage

Cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells were damaged when exposed to oxyradicals generated either from xanthine oxidase plus hypoxanthine, or by superoxide radicals formed from menadione. Morin hydrate is an antioxidant extracted from yellow Brazil wood. When morin hydrate was added to cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells which were attacked by oxyradicals generated by xanthine oxidase plus hypoxanthine, the survival time of the cells was doubled. However, this protective effect of morin hydrate was less marked when the cells were attacked by menadione. Note that the protective effects of Trolox which is a polar analogue of vitamin E were miniscule relative to those of morin hydrate with both oxidants.

Cytokine stimulation of prostaglandin production inhibits the proliferation of serum-stimulated mesangial cells

Mesangial cell proliferation contributes to glomerulosclerosis and is associated with the development of end-stage renal disease. We examined the effects of the cytokines interleukin 1 (IL-1 beta) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) on the mitogenesis and proliferation of rat glomerular mesangial cells. Exposure of serum-stimulated cells to IL-1 beta and IL-6 for 48 hours resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of both mitogenesis, determined by 3H-thymidine incorporation, and proliferation, determined by absolute cell counts. Both IL-1 beta and IL-6 stimulated endogenous PGE2 production in this cell system. Cyclooxygenase inhibition by indomethacin and meclofenamate abrogated the inhibitory effects of both IL-1 beta and IL-6. Furthermore, addition of exogenous PGE2 to cytokine-stimulated cells in which cyclooxygenase activity was blocked resulted in inhibition of mitogenesis, while addition of exogenous aracidonic acid to the cytokine-stimulated cells enhanced the induced inhibition of mitogenesis. These results demonstrate that in serum-stimulated mesangial cells, both IL-1 beta and IL-6 inhibit mitogenesis and proliferation, and that these effects are mediated, in part, by stimulated endogenous prostaglandin production.

Heparins modulate extracellular matrix and protein synthesis of cultured rat mesangial cells.

Heparins blunt the development of glomerulosclerosis in several disease models in the rat and this protective effect may be related to suppression of glomerular cell proliferation. In this study the direct effect of heparins on another key event in glomerulosclerosis, extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, was examined. Standard heparin (hep) and non-anticoagulant N-desulfated acetylated heparin (DSA-hep) significantly reduced the fibronectin content in the conditioned media of subconfluent, confluent, and supraconfluent rat glomerular mesangial cells (MCs) in culture, as assessed by a sandwich ELISA technique. Both heparins significantly increased the amount of cell-associated fibronectin in sparse and subconfluent MCs. DSA-hep, but not hep, increased the fibronectin content of ECM formed by confluent and supraconfluent MCs. Using 3H-proline pulse-labeling, Hep and DSA-hep were found to significantly decrease cell-associated collagen in subconfluent but not in confluent MCs. No effects were seen on newly synthesized collagen secreted into the culture medium. Neither hep nor DSA-hep affected total protein synthesis, studied by metabolic labeling with 35S-methionine. High resolution 2-D electrophoresis (molecular weight range, 120 to 10 Kd; isoelectric interval, 5.0 to 7.0) revealed one particular intracellular protein (molecular weight 54 Kd, pI 5.91) which was consistently overexpressed in hep. Both heparins affected an identical set of another 19 different intracellular MC proteins (over-/underexpression or shift to higher molecular weights). In conclusion, the present data demonstrate the profound direct metabolic effects of hep and DSA-hep.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Regulation of mesangial cell ion channels by insulin and angiotensin II. Possible role in diabetic glomerular hyperfiltration.

We used patch clamp methodology to investigate how glomerular mesangial cells (GMC) depolarize, thus stimulating voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and GMC contraction. In rat GMC cultures grown in 100 mU/ml insulin, 12% of cell-attached patches contained a Ca(2+)-dependent, 4-picosiemens Cl- channel. Basal NPo (number of channels times open probability) was < 0.1 at resting membrane potential. Acute application of 1-100 nM angiotensin II (AII) or 0.25 microM thapsigargin (to release [Ca2+]i stores) increased NPo. In GMC grown without insulin, Cl- channels were rare (4%) and unresponsive to AII or thapsigargin in cell-attached patches, and less sensitive to [Ca2+]i in excised patches. GMC also contained 27-pS nonselective cation channels (NSCC) stimulated by AII, thapsigargin, or [Ca2+]i, but again only when insulin was present. In GMC grown without insulin, 15 min of insulin exposure increased NPo (insulin > or = 100 microU/ml) and restored AII and [Ca2+]i responsiveness (insulin > or = 1 microU/ml) to both Cl- and NSCC. GMC AII receptor binding studies showed a Bmax (binding sites) of 2.44 +/- 0.58 fmol/mg protein and a Kd (binding dissociation constant) of 3.02 +/- 2.01 nM in the absence of insulin. Bmax increased by 86% and Kd was unchanged after chronic (days) insulin exposure. In contrast, neither Kd nor Bmax was significantly affected by acute (15-min) exposure. Therefore, we concluded that: (a) rat GMC cultures contain Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- and NSCC, both stimulated by AII. (b) Cl- efflux and cation influx, respectively, would promote GMC depolarization, leading to voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel activation and GMC contraction. (c) Responsiveness of Cl- and NSCC to AII is dependent on insulin exposure; AII receptor density increases with chronic, but not acute insulin, and channel sensitivity to [Ca2+]i increases with both acute and chronic insulin. (d) Decreased GMC contractility may contribute to the glomerular hyperfiltration seen in insulinopenic or insulin-resistant diabetic patients.