Rat Proximal Tubule Epithelial Cells Research Articles

Reevaluating the role of megalin in renal vitamin D homeostasis using a human cell-derived microphysiological system

The role of megalin in the regulation of renal vitamin D homeostasis has previously been evaluated in megalin-knockout mice and rat proximal tubule epithelial cells. We revisited these hypotheses that were previously tested solely in rodent models, this time using a 3-dimensional proximal tubule microphysiological system incorporating primary human proximal tubule epithelial cells. Using this human cell-derived model, we confirmed that 25OHD3 is transported into the human proximal tubule epithelium via megalin-mediated endocytosis while bound to vitamin D binding protein. Building upon these findings, we then evaluated the role of megalin in modulating the cellular uptake and biological activity of 1α,25(OH)2D3. Inhibition of megalin function decreased the 1α,25(OH)2D3-mediated induction of both cytochrome P450 24A1 protein levels and 24-hydroxylation activity following perfusion with vitamin D binding protein and 1α,25(OH)2D3. The potential for reciprocal effects from 1α,25(OH)2D3 on megalin expression were also tested. Contrary to previously published observations from rat proximal tubule epithelial cells, 1α,25(OH)2D3 did not induce megalin gene expression, thus highlighting the potential for meaningful interspecies differences in the homeostatic regulation of megalin in rodents and humans. These findings challenge a recently promoted hypothesis, predicated on the rodent cell data, that attempts to connect 1α,25(OH)2D3-mediated regulation of renal megalin expression and the pathology of chronic kidney disease in humans. In addition to providing specific insights related to the importance of renal megalin in vitamin D homeostasis, these results constitute a proof-of-concept that human-derived microphysiological systems are a suitable replacement for animal models for quantitative pharmacology and physiology research.

Novel insights into renal d-amino acid oxidase accumulation: propiverine changes DAAO localization and peroxisomal size in vivo

Chronic exposure to propiverine, a frequently prescribed pharmaceutical for treatment of overactive bladder and incontinence, provokes massive protein accumulation in the cytosol and nucleus of renal proximal tubule epithelial cells in rats. Previously, the accumulating protein was identified as D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO), a peroxisomal flavoenzyme expressed in kidney, liver and brain. The cellular mechanism of propiverine-induced DAAO accumulation, however, remains unexplained and poorly characterized. Therefore, to further increase the understanding of DAAO accumulation in rat kidney, this study aimed to characterize DAAO accumulations using differential immunofluorescent staining of rat kidney sections as well as in vitro binding analyses and proteasomal activity studies. We demonstrated that propiverine is neither a ligand of DAAO nor an inhibitor of the proteasome in vitro. However, propiverine treatment resulted in a significant decrease of peroxisomal size in rat proximal tubule epithelial cells. Moreover, peroxisomal catalase also accumulated in the cytosol and nuclei of propiverine-treated rats concurrently with DAAO. Taken together, our study indicates that propiverine treatment affects the trafficking and/or degradation of peroxisomal proteins such as DAAO and catalase by a so far unique and unknown mechanism.

Myeloperoxidase-mediated bioactivation of 5-hydroxythiabendazole: A possible mechanism of thiabendazole toxicity

Thiabendazole (TBZ), an antihelminthic and antifungal agent, is associated with a host of adverse effects including nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and teratogenicity. Bioactivation of the primary metabolite of TBZ, 5-hydroxythiabendazole, has been proposed to yield a reactive intermediate. Here we show that this reactive intermediate can be catalyzed by myeloperoxidase (MPO), a neutrophil-bourne peroxidase. Using a cell viability endpoint, we examined the toxicity of TBZ, 5OH-TBZ, and MPO-generated metabolites in cell-based models including primary rat proximal tubule epithelial cells, NRK-52E rat proximal tubule cells, and H9C2 rat myocardial cells. Timecourse experiments with MPO showed complete turnover of 5OH-TBZ within 15 min and a dramatic leftward shift in dose–response curves after 12 h. After a 24 h exposure in vitro, the LC 50 of this reactive intermediate was 23.3 ± 0.2 μM reduced from greater than 200 μM from 5OH-TBZ alone, an approximately 10-fold decrease. LC 50 values were equal in all cell types used. Comparison of lactate dehydrogenase leakage and caspase 3/7 activity revealed that cell death caused by the reactive intermediate is primarily associated with necrosis rather than apoptosis. This toxicity can be completely rescued via incubation with rutin, an inhibitor of MPO. These results suggest that MPO-mediated biotransformation of 5OH-TBZ yields a reactive intermediate which may play a role in TBZ-induced toxicity.

Effects of Cytochrome P450 Inhibition by Cimetidine on the Warm Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Cimetidine is an H(2)-antagonist with cytochrome P450 (P450) inhibitory activity. Recent studies showed that cimetidine improves warm ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in isolated rat heart and rabbit lung and in primary cultures of rat proximal tubule epithelial cells by inhibiting P450-mediated reactive oxygen species generation. Here, we studied the effects of cimetidine on the warm IR injury in the liver. Three groups of rats were treated with a single i.p. dose (0.6 mmol/kg) of cimetidine or ranitidine (an H(2) antagonist without a significant P450 inhibitory activity) or with saline 1.5 h before surgery. Livers were then subjected to 1 h of in vivo ischemia, followed by 1 h of ex vivo reperfusion using a physiologic buffer in a recirculating manner. A fourth group of animals, receiving saline pretreatment underwent sham operation instead of ischemia. Perfusate and bile samples were collected during the reperfusion, and the liver tissue was collected at the end of reperfusion period for measurement of various biochemical markers. Warm IR resulted in a significant increase in the perfusate concentrations of liver enzymes (3- to 4.5-fold) and hepatic concentrations of lipid hydroperoxides (2-fold). Whereas the glutathione concentrations in the liver tissue were not affected by IR injury, the injury caused a significant decrease ( approximately 40%) in the biliary glutathione excretion. Cimetidine treatment completely or partially reversed all the IR-mediated changes, while ranitidine was ineffective. The protective effects of cimetidine were associated with a 60% decline in the microsomal CYP2C11 activity. Whereas cimetidine, an H(2) blocker with substantial P450 inhibitory activity, is protective in warm IR injury, ranitidine, a similar drug with no significant P450 inhibitory activity, is devoid of any protective effects. Therefore, P450 inhibition appears to be the underlying mechanism in the protective effects of cimetidine in this model of IR injury.

Cholinergic agonists attenuate renal ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats

Inflammation plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Local inflammation is modulated by the brain via the vagus nerve and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors such that electrical or pharmacologic stimulation of this cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway results in suppression of proinflammatory cytokine production. We examined the effects of cholinergic stimulation using agonists, nicotine or GTS-21, given before or after bilateral renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Pretreatment of rats with either agonist significantly attenuated renal dysfunction and tubular necrosis induced by renal ischemia. Similarly, tumor necrosis factor-alpha protein expression and leukocyte infiltration of the kidney were markedly reduced following treatment with cholinergic agonists. We found functional nicotinic acetylcholine receptors were present on rat proximal tubule epithelial cells. Cholinergic stimulation significantly decreased tubular necrosis in vagotomized rats after injury, implying an intact vagus nerve is not required for this renoprotective effect.

Ouabain Is a Potent Promoter of Growth and Activator of ERK1/2 in Ouabain-resistant Rat Renal Epithelial Cells

Endogenous cardiotonic steroids (ECS) are putative ligands of the inhibitory binding site of the membrane sodium pump (Na+, K+-ATPase). There is growing evidence that cardiotonic steroids may promote the growth of cardiac and vascular myocytes, including evidence indicating growth stimulation at concentrations in the same range as circulating ECS concentrations. We investigated four parameters to determine whether ouabain, a proposed ECS, promotes growth of immortalized rat proximal tubule epithelial cells: cell count by hemocytometer; metabolic activity as reflected in the mitochondrial conversion of the tetrazolium salt, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, to its formazan product (MA); DNA synthesis reflected as bromodeoxyuridine incorporation (DNA); and mitosis reflected as histone phosphorylation state detected using anti-phosphohistone 3 antibody (HP). Maximum stimulatory responses were observed at 1 nm ouabain (MA, 20.3% increase, p < 0.01; DNA, 28.4% increase, p < 0.001; HP, maximum response at 0.5 h, 50% increase, p < 0.001). We observed that growth stimulation was associated with stimulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation (ERK-P), and both growth and ERK-P could be blocked by the MEK inhibitor (U0126, 100 nm). Western blot analysis revealed that the only alpha isoform of Na+, K+-ATPase that could be detected in these cultures was the highly ouabain-resistant alpha1 isoform. Measurement of ouabain inhibition of ion transport in these cultures using 86Rb+ uptake revealed the predominance of the expected ouabain-resistant isoform (IC50 = 24 microm) and an additional minor ( approximately 15%) ouabain-sensitive inhibition with IC50 approximately 30 pm. Similar bimodal transport inhibition curves were obtained in freshly dissected rat proximal tubules. These results indicate that renal epithelial cells may be a sensitive target of the ERK1/2-activating and growth-promoting effects of ouabain even in the presence of ouabain-resistant Na+, K+-ATPase.

Cleavage of the Actin-capping Protein α-Adducin at Asp-Asp-Ser-Asp633-Ala by Caspase-3 Is Preceded by Its Phosphorylation on Serine 726 in Cisplatin-induced Apoptosis of Renal Epithelial Cells

Decreased phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin is associated with loss of focal adhesions and stress fibers and precedes the onset of apoptosis (van de Water, B., Nagelkerke, J. F., and Stevens, J. L. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 13328-13337). The cortical actin cytoskeletal network is also lost during apoptosis, yet little is known about the temporal relationship between altered phosphorylation of proteins that are critical in the regulation of this network and their potential cleavage by caspases during apoptosis. Adducins are central in the cortical actin network organization. Cisplatin caused apoptosis of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells, which was associated with the cleavage of alpha-adducin into a 74-kDa fragment; this was blocked by a general caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone (z-VAD-fmk). Hemagglutinin-tagged human alpha-adducin was cleaved into a similar 74-kDa fragment by caspase-3 in vitro but not by caspase-6 or -7. Asp-Arg-Val-Asp(29)-Glu, Asp-Ile-Val-Asp(208)-Arg, and Asp-Asp-Ser-Asp(633)-Ala were identified as the principal caspase-3 cleavage sites; Asp-Asp-Ser-Asp(633)-Ala was key in the formation of the 74-kDa fragment. Cisplatin also caused an increased phosphorylation of alpha-adducin and gamma-adducin in the MARCKS domain that preceded alpha-adducin cleavage and was associated with loss of adducins from adherens junctions; this was not affected by z-VAD-fmk. In conclusion, the data support a model in which increased phosphorylation of alpha-adducin due to cisplatin leads to dissociation from the cytoskeleton, a situation rendered irreversible by caspase-3-mediated cleavage of alpha-adducin at Asp-Asp-Ser-Asp(633)-Ala.

Role of protein kinase C in beta 2-adrenoceptor function in cultured rat proximal tubule epithelial cells.

Renal sodium excretion is regulated by the adrenergic system. We recently demonstrated the presence of functional beta 2-adrenoceptors (beta 2-AR) in cultured rat proximal tubule epithelial cells beta 2-AR activation resulted in increases in Na-K-adenosinetriphosphatase (Na-K-ATPase) activity and transcellular sodium transport as a consequence of increased apical sodium entry. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of protein kinase C (PKC) on beta 2-AR-dependent increases in Na-K-ATPase activity and sodium transport in proximal tubules. To determine the effect of PKC on basal function, cultured rat proximal tubule cells were exposed to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). PMA increased apical Na entry (+/-80%), decreased Na-K-ATPase activity (+/-25%), and prevented increases in Na-K-ATPase activity after sodium entry facilitation with monensin. Decreases in Na-K-ATPase activity were associated with decreases in sodium transport (+/-30%). To determine whether beta 2-AR function was transduced by PKC, PKC activity was measured in cells exposed to the selective beta 2-AR agonist metaproterenol. Metaproterenol caused increases in PKC activity, which were blocked by a beta 2-AR but not by a beta 1-AR-receptor antagonist. beta 2-AR-dependent increases in apical Na entry, Na-K-ATPase activity, and sodium transport were blocked by calphostin C or staurosporine. To determine whether PKC had additional effects on beta 2-AR function, cells were exposed to metaproterenol and PMA. Metaproterenol-induced increases in Na-K-ATPase activity and sodium transport were blocked by PMA. In conclusion, beta 2-AR-mediated increases in Na-K-ATPase activity and sodium flux are transduced by PKC acting through increases in apical Na entry. However, activation of PKC by phorbol esters inhibits beta 2-AR-dependent increases in Na-K-ATPase activity and sodium transport.

Beta 2-adrenergic function in cultured rat proximal tubule epithelial cells.

We conducted studies to determine whether functional beta 2-adrenoceptors are present in cultured rat proximal tubule epithelial cells. To determine whether cultured cells maintain polarity with respect to sodium transport, cells were acid loaded. Acid loading resulted in stimulation of sodium transport. Exposure of acid-loaded cells to alkaline extracellular pH further enhanced sodium transport (22Na flux at pH 7.50 was 68.1 +/- 44% above pH 7.00, P < 0.05). Cultured proximal tubules also exhibited basolateral 86Rb uptake, 65% of which was ouabain sensitive. Thus cultured cells maintain apical Na/H antiport and basolateral Na-K-adenosinetriphosphatase (Na-K-ATPase). Metaproterenol (10(-6) M), a selective beta 2-agonist, stimulated Na-K-ATPase activity by 36 +/- 6% above control (P < 0.05). The stimulatory effect was blocked by ICI-118551, a selective beta 2-antagonist. To determine whether metaproterenol-dependent increases in Na-K-ATPase were dependent on apical sodium entry, apical entry was blocked with dimethylamiloride or maximized with monensin. Both dimethylamiloride and monensin prevented metaproterenol activation of Na-K-ATPase. Metaproterenol-mediated increases in Na-K-ATPase activity were associated with increases in sodium transport (27 +/- 10% above control, P < 0.05), which was prevented by dimethylamiloride. In contrast to isoproterenol, metaproterenol did not stimulate cAMP production. In summary, we have shown that functional beta 2-adrenoceptors are present on cultured rat proximal tubules. beta 2-Adrenoceptor activation results in increases in Na-K-ATPase and Na transport as a consequence of increased apical sodium entry.

Beta-adrenergic receptor function in rat proximal tubule epithelial cells in culture.

The adrenergic system is important in regulating proximal tubule sodium reabsorption. Although alpha-adrenergic receptors have been identified in proximal tubules, the presence and function of beta-adrenergic receptors (BAR) in proximal tubules is less certain. The purpose of our study was to determine whether functional BAR are present on apical or basolateral surfaces of proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTEC) of rat kidney. We specifically focused on BAR coupling to adenylate cyclase and on differences between requirements for apical and basolateral receptor coupling to adenylate cyclase. To determine BAR expression and function, primary cultures of rat PTECs were grown on permeable supports. Scatchard analysis of 125I-labeled cyanopindolol binding revealed a single class of receptors on both apical and basolateral surfaces. Apical isoproterenol (ISO) resulted in time- and concentration-dependent increases in adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) that were 50% of responses after basolateral ISO. Apical BAR-cAMP coupling was mediated by B1-adrenergic receptors (B1AR), since apical cAMP responses were abrogated with apical (but not basolateral) B1 but not B2 antagonists. Apical B1AR required endocytosis prior to adenylate cyclase activation, since increases in cAMP were prevented by phenylarsine oxide or colchicine. B1AR-adenylate cyclase coupling was independent of intra- or extracellular calcium, cyclooxygenase metabolites, and protein kinase C (PKC) and dependent on Gs guanine nucleotide regulatory protein. Prolonged exposure to ISO resulted in time- and concentration-dependent homologous desensitization of cAMP responses. Desensitization was independent of receptor sequestration, PKA, or PKC. We conclude the following: B1AR are present on both apical and basolateral surfaces of rat PTECs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cytochrome P-450 mediates tissue-damaging hydroxyl radical formation during reoxygenation of the kidney.

Renal reperfusion injury results from oxygen radical generation. During reoxygenation of hypoxic kidney cells, xanthine oxidase produces superoxide radical, which eventuates in hydroxyl radical formation by the Fenton reaction. This reaction, catalyzed by transition metals such as iron, is particularly important because hydroxyl radical is highly reactive with a wide variety of biomolecules. We tested the hypothesis that this catalytic function is fostered by iron released from the heme moiety of cytochrome P-450. Primary cultures of rat proximal tubule epithelial cells studied in a subconfluent stage were subjected to 60 min of hypoxia and 30 min of reoxygenation. When cells were pretreated with one of three cytochrome P-450 inhibitors (piperonyl butoxide, cimetidine, or ketoconazole), lethal cell injury was attenuated. There was the expected increase in O2-. production during hypoxia/reoxygenation that cytochrome P-450 inhibitors did not prevent; on the other hand, inhibitors did prevent reoxygenation-induced hydroxyl radical formation. Analogously, the increase in catalytic iron (bleomycin-detectable iron) that accompanies hypoxia/reoxygenation did not occur in the presence of cytochrome P-450 inhibitors. In vivo studies confirmed a protective effect of cytochrome P-450 inhibition because glomerular filtration rate was better preserved in rats pretreated with cimetidine and then subjected to renal artery occlusion. In summary, several chemically distinct cytochrome P-450 inhibitors reduced iron release, and thereby, hydroxyl radical formation and reoxygenation-induced lethal cell injury, without inhibiting superoxide radical formation. We conclude that highly labile P-450 may act as an Fe-donating catalyst for Fenton reaction production of HO.-mediated reperfusion injury.

Lateral diffusion of lipids in renal cells: effects of hypoxia and reoxygenation and role of cytoskeleton.

The effects of hypoxia and reoxygenation on the lateral mobility of membrane lipids were studied in primary cultures of rat proximal tubule epithelial cells at a subconfluent stage. The lipid lateral diffusion coefficient (DL) of the fluorescent probe 1-acyl-2-(N-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol)-aminocaproyl phosphatidylethanolamine was determined in membranes of attached cells by the technique of fluorescence redistribution after photobleaching, using confocal imaging to differentiate apical from basal surfaces. Fluidity was greater in basolateral membranes than in apical membranes [DL(apical) = 3.15 +/- 0.8 and DL (basolateral) = 6.56 +/- 1.2 x 10(-10) cm2/s]. In apical membranes, 60 min of hypoxia plus 30 min of reoxygenation increased DL to 10.04 +/- 2.1. When cells were pretreated with the antioxidants superoxide dismutase, catalase, or alpha-tocopherol, there was no clear-cut effect on the hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced increase in apical membrane DL, although t-butyl hydroperoxide treatment of cells did increase DL. Disruption of the cytoskeleton with cytochalasin D or exposure to Ca(2+)-free medium markedly increased DL. However, when cells were pretreated with phallacidin to stabilize cytoskeletal actin microfilaments, the hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced change in lipid lateral mobility was completely prevented. Thus the cytoskeleton is an important regulator of the translational motion of membrane phospholipids. Hypoxia-reoxygenation may have increased DL because of cytoskeletal dysfunction.

Xanthine oxidase produces O2-. in posthypoxic injury of renal epithelial cells.

The hypothesis that posthypoxic renal injury is mediated by xanthine oxidase-derived oxygen free radical production was tested in an in vitro model of rat proximal tubule epithelial cells in primary culture subjected to 60 min of hypoxia and 30 min of reoxygenation. Hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced injury, measured as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, was 54.0 +/- 7.1%. Inhibition of xanthine oxidase by 10(-4) M allopurinol attenuated injury (LDH release = 35.5 +/- 3.7%; P less than 0.01). Oxypurinol was similarly effective. Alternatively, cells were treated with 50 or 100 microM tungsten to inactivate xanthine oxidase. Tungsten prevented hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced superoxide radical production (basal = 97 +/- 8, hypoxia-reoxygenation = 172 +/- 12, and plus tungsten = 73 +/- 8 nmol/micrograms protein) and attenuated hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced injury (LDH release: basal = 18.8 +/- 3.0%, hypoxia-reoxygenation = 62.0 +/- 4.8%, plus 50 microM tungsten = 24.8 +/- 5.0%, and plus 100 microM tungsten = 6.0 +/- 0.7%). In addition, hypoxia and reoxygenation increased the ratio of xanthine oxidase to total activity (xanthine oxidase + xanthine dehydrogenase) from 73 to 100%. Therefore xanthine oxidase was responsible for hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced superoxide radical formation and hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced injury. Xanthine oxidase is likely to be the major source of oxygen free radicals during renal ischemia and reperfusion.

Protective effects of glutathione, glycine, or alanine in an in vitro model of renal anoxia.

Both glutathione and glycine provide some protection against ischemic renal injury in a variety of experimental models. However, results have been inconsistent and there may also be model heterogeneity. The effects of glutathione, glycine, and alanine in a cell culture model of renal anoxia/reoxygenation injury were tested. When primary cultures of rat proximal tubule epithelial cells were subjected to 60 min of anoxia and 30 min of reoxygenation, glutathione (2 mM) essentially eliminated lethal cell injury as determined by lactate dehydrogenase release. Glycine or alanine, on the other hand, provided only partial protection. Glutamate did not protect, although cysteine did. The glutathione synthesis inhibitor buthionine sulfoximine blocked the protective effect of exogenous glutathione, and the glutathione transport inhibitor probenecid partially blocked glutathione protection. A combination of glycine, glutamate, plus cysteine also protected against anoxia/reoxygenation injury. The studies suggest that both glutathione degradation with intracellular resynthesis and transport of intact glutathione into the cell are involved in the protection afforded by exogenous glutathione. These results are different from those obtained in other experimental models of renal ischemia, such as freshly isolated proximal tubules, because the protective effects of glutathione were not derived solely from glycine generation. These studies also suggest the need for caution in extrapolating results from one model of renal anoxic injury to another.

HgCl2-induced alteration of actin filaments in cultured primary rat proximal tubule epithelial cells labelled with fluorescein phalloidin

When proximal tubule epithelial cells are exposed to HgCl2, cytoplasmic blebs are formed. These represent an early, potentially reversible response to injury. These blebs are accompanied by reorganization of cytoskeletal proteins, and presumably by alternations in cytoskeletal-plasma membrane interactions. Ca(2+)-activated proteinases, such as calpain, are known to affect cytoskeletal proteins and to be involved in diverse cellular processes. However, the role of calpains in cytotoxicity due to HgCl2 is unknown. To determine the relationship between F-actin, calpain, and HgCl2 toxicity, cells were stained with fluorescein phalloidin before and after treatment with HgCl2. Cells were grown on coverslips and exposed to HgCl2 (10 or 25 microM) in the presence or absence of the calpain inhibitor, leupeptin. Untreated cells were flat, polygonal, and contained many fluorescent-stained cables of actin filaments. Generally, cells exposed to HgCl2 became pleomorphic and contracted as the blebs formed. These cells showed fewer actin cables and fluorescence was seen mostly as either compact areas of dense stain or as peripheral rings. In many cells, actin cables and filaments were completely absent. Disappearance of F-actin was initially seen by 2 min after exposure to HgCl2. Thus, disruption of the actin cytoskeleton and blebbing were found to be early events in HgCl2 toxicity. When leupeptin was used with HgCl2 treatment, the actin staining appeared similar to that of untreated cells.