Isolation of a novel complement regulatory factor (GCRF) from glomerular epithelial cells.

Cultured rat glomerular epithelial cells (GEC) are able to prevent both antibody-directed and spontaneous (alternative pathway) complement activation. In this study, a novel complement regulatory factor (GCRF) was isolated from GEC. The ability to accelerate the decay of alternative pathway C3/C5 convertases formed on sheep erythrocytes (EC3bBbP) was used to guide purification. GEC were solubilized in Triton X-114 and GCRF was recovered in the aqueous phase. Complement inhibitory material also was present in the culture supernatant, which likely represented GCRF. By Mono Q anion exchange chromatography, GCRF eluted at greater than or equal to 0.6 M NaCl and by Superose 6 size-exclusion chromatography, it had a Kav less than or equal to 0.3. GCRF reduced the t1/2 of EC3bBbP from 128 minutes in buffer alone to 41 minutes in 3 micrograms/ml GCRF protein, and also prevented formation of EC3bBbP in a dose-dependent fashion. Digestion with chondroitinase ABC, neuraminidase, or trypsin, but not with heparitinase or chondroitinase AC significantly reduced the activity and size of GCRF, demonstrating that it is a sialic acid-containing dermatan sulfate proteoglycan. Thus, cultured rat GEC synthesize and secrete into the medium, GCRF, a dermatan sulfate proteoglycan with complement inhibitory activity.     

表皮生长因子对肾小球上皮细胞骨架的影响

目的观察阿霉素作用下体外培养的大鼠肾小球上皮细胞(GEC)通透性和细胞骨架变化并研究表皮生长因子(EGF)对它们的作用及可能途径。方法在阿霉素作用GEC24h之前给予和不给予外源性EGF，利用Milllcell—PCF Inserts检测牛血清白蛋白(BSA)滤过量，同时评价GEC细胞活力。细胞免疫荧光法和激光共聚焦显微镜观察和测定细胞骨架分子F-肌动蛋白(actin)、α-辅肌动蛋白(actinin)的表达。结果阿霉素刺激GEC24h后，BSA滤过量明显增加，而F—actin重排率增加，排列紊乱，部分解聚，胞浆内应力纤维明显减少；α-actinin趋向核周聚集。阿霉素诱导前先给予EGF，则BSA滤过量明显减少，细胞骨架恢复正常组装状态,α—actinin在胞浆内均匀分布。但在EGF之前给予EGF受体(EGFR)抑制剂AG1478或磷脂酶C(PLC)1抑制剂U73122，则EGF对阿霉素诱导下GEC的改善效应减弱，而在无EGF的阿霉素诱导之前应用AG1478或U73122，均未产生改变。结论阿霉素诱导了GEC细胞骨架的重排和破坏．致使上皮通透性增高，而EGF可能通过EGF—EGFR—PLCγ这条信号转导途径阻止了阿霉素对GEC细胞骨架的影响，保护了GEC上皮屏障。     

Binding of factor H to tubular epithelial cells limits interstitial complement activation in ischemic injury

Factor H is a regulator of the alternative pathway of complement, and genetic studies have shown that patients with mutations in factor H are at increased risk for several types of renal disease. Pathogenic activation of the alternative pathway in acquired diseases, such as ischemic acute kidney injury, suggests that native factor H has a limited capacity to control the alternative pathway in the kidney. Here we found that an absolute deficiency of factor H produced by gene deletion prevented complement activation on tubulointerstitial cells after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, likely because alternative pathway proteins were consumed in the fluid phase. In contrast, when fluid-phase regulation by factor H was maintained while the interaction of factor H with cell surfaces was blocked by a recombinant inhibitor protein, complement activation after renal I/R increased. Finally, a recombinant form of factor H, specifically targeted to sites of C3 deposition, reduced complement activation in the tubulointerstitium after ischemic injury. Thus, although factor H does not fully prevent activation of the alternative pathway of complement on ischemic tubules, its interaction with the tubule epithelial cell surface is critical for limiting complement activation and attenuating renal injury after ischemia.     

Effects of tumor necrosis factor on glomerular mesangial and epithelial cells in culture

We have previously documented the importance of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha in the pathogenesis of nephrotoxic-serum nephritis in rats. In this study, we evaluated the possible relevance of the well-established cytocidal TNF activity to the mechanism of glomerular injury by assessing sensitivity of rat mesangial and epithelial cell populations to recombinant murine TNF alpha (rMuTNF). Radiolabelled confluent mesangial cell cultures that were incubated with rMuTNF released significantly more 3H-thymidine than control monolayers (maximum specific release was 11.4 +/- 4.9% at 1,000 pg/ml of rMuTNF). rMuTNF was, however, approximately 1,000-fold less cytolytic in mesangial cells than in the lymphotoxin-sensitive L929 cell line. Conversely, glomerular epithelial cells were not affected by exposure to rMuTNF under the same conditions. These results suggest that the cytolytic effect of TNF may contribute to glomerular injury in nephrotoxic-serum nephritis.     

Cell surface aminopeptidase A and N activities in human glomerular epithelial cells.

Cell surface aminopeptidases N (APN) and A (APA) have been characterized on cultured human glomerular epithelial cells and a SV40-transformed cell line derived from them. APN had a wide substrate specificity whereas APA only attacked peptides with an acidic N terminal amino acid. Both enzymes also differed by their sensitivity to divalent cations and to aminopeptidase inhibitors. Phorbolmyristate acetate (PMA) stimulated APN but not APA expression after a lag time of 12 hours. An increase of twice the basal value was observed with 10 ng.ml-1 PMA. This effect was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining using a specific anti-APN monoclonal antibody. Both ecto- and total enzyme activities were stimulated by PMA. The effect of PMA was suppressed by H7, a PKC inhibitor, and cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis. Thrombin (1 to 2.5 U.ml-1) and interferon (IFN)-gamma (100 U.ml-1) also stimulated APN activity, the latter after longer exposure of the cells. APA activity was increased by 8-bromo-cAMP and two cAMP-stimulating agents, forskolin and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX). A twofold increase above basal value was obtained with 100 microM forskolin after 72 hours of treatment. cAMP-stimulated APA activity was suppressed by cycloheximide. Dexamethasone also stimulated APA activity. The effects of forskolin and dexamethasone were additive. These results demonstrate that APN and APA in glomerular epithelial cells are under different regulations: mitogens and IFN-gamma for APN, cAMP and glucocorticoids for APA. This selective expression may imply possible functional consequences in glomerular diseases.     

大鼠前列腺上皮细胞体外培养及其屏障功能的初步研究

目的:体外培养大鼠前列腺上皮细胞,并观察其屏障功能。方法:体外培养大鼠前列腺上皮细胞,采用免疫组化观察腺上皮细胞之间紧密连接蛋白claudin-1的表达,光镜以及电镜观察大鼠前列腺上皮细胞的结构组成。采用跨膜电阻测量仪检测前列腺上皮细胞的跨膜电阻,采用酚红渗漏实验检测前列腺上皮细胞的通透性。结果:大鼠前列腺上皮细胞在体外培养可以形成紧密的单层细胞结构,紧密连接蛋白在相邻的腺上皮细胞之间表达,透射电镜结果显示相邻的单层腺上皮细胞之间存在紧密连接。体外培养的大鼠前列腺上皮细胞跨膜电阻在培养第8天可以达到(201.3±3.5)Ω/cm2,酚红渗漏实验显示随着细胞单层跨膜电阻的增加,基底侧的酚红浓度减低。结论:大鼠前列腺上皮细胞具有与脑毛细血管内皮细胞、肠上皮细胞等具有屏障功能的细胞相似的结构和功能,体外培养的大鼠前列腺上皮细胞具有屏障特性,可以作为血前列腺屏障研究的体外模型。     

Antioxidant ceruloplasmin is expressed by glomerular parietal epithelial cells and secreted into urine in association with glomerular aging and high-calorie diet

Biologic aging is accelerated by high-calorie intake, increased free radical production, and oxidation of key biomolecules. Fischer 344 rats that are maintained on an ad libitum diet develop oxidant injury and age-associated glomerulosclerosis by 24 mo. Calorie restriction prevents both oxidant injury and glomerulosclerosis. Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is a copper-containing ferroxidase that functions as an antioxidant in part by oxidizing toxic ferrous iron to nontoxic ferric iron. Glomerular Cp mRNA and protein expression were measured in ad libitum-fed and calorie-restricted rats at ages 2, 6, 17, and 24 mo. In ad libitum-fed rats, Cp mRNA expression increased six-fold (P < 0.01) and protein expression increased five-fold (P = 0.01) between 2 and 24 mo of age. In calorie-restricted rats, Cp mRNA expression increased three-fold (P < 0.01) and protein expression increased 1.6-fold (NS) between 2 and 24 mo of age. Both the cell-associated alternately spliced variant and secreted variants of Cp were expressed. Immunofluorescent analysis showed that Cp was expressed by the parietal epithelial cells that line the inner aspect of Bowman's capsule in the glomerulus. Cp also was present in urine, particularly of old ad libitum-fed rats with high tissue Cp expression. Cp expression by Bowman's capsule epithelial cells therefore occurred in direct proportion to known levels of oxidant activity (older age and high-calorie diet) and is secreted into the urine. It is suggested that Cp expression at this site may be part of the repertoire of the glomerular parietal epithelial cell to protect the glomerular podocytes and the downstream nephron from toxic effects of filtered molecules, including ferrous iron.     

Demonstration and characterization of C3 receptors on rat glomerular epithelial cells

Receptors for C3 have been demonstrated on the glomerular podocyte in humans. There is conflicting evidence regarding the presence of C3 receptors on rat glomerular cells. Even when shown to be present, the ligand specificity of the receptor has not been determined. Decapsulated rat glomeruli obtained from male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 50 to 100 g were placed in enriched culture media. On days four to eight, cells of epithelial morphology were observed growing out of glomeruli. Receptors for C3 were detected by rosette formation of sheep erythrocytes (E) coated with antibody (A) and complement (EAC) around the glomerular epithelial cells in culture. The EACs were prepared by incubating antibody-coated sheep erythrocytes with C5-deficient mouse serum or with individual components of complement. Results indicate the presence of two types of C3 receptors on glomerular epithelial cells--CR1 for C3b and CR2 for C3d. The functional roles of these receptors remain to be elucidated.     

Hemolytic uremic syndrome: a factor H mutation (E1172Stop) causes defective complement control at the surface of endothelial cells

Defective complement regulation results in hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a disease that is characterized by microangiopathy, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure and that causes endothelial cell damage. For characterization of how defective complement regulation relates to the pathophysiology, the role of the complement regulator factor H and also of a mutant factor H protein was studied on the surface of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The mutant 145-kD factor H protein was purified to homogeneity, from plasma of a patient with HUS, who is heterozygous for a factor H gene mutation G3587T, which introduces a stop codon at position 1172. Functional analyses show that the lack of the most C-terminal domain short consensus repeats 20 severely affected recognition functions (i.e., binding to heparin, C3b, C3d, and the surface of endothelial cells). Wild-type factor H as well as the mutant protein formed dimers in solution as shown by cross-linking studies and mass spectroscopy. When assayed in fluid phase, the complement regulatory activity of the mutant protein was normal and comparable to wild-type factor H. However, on the surface of endothelial cells, the mutant factor H protein showed severely reduced regulatory activities and lacked protective functions. Similarly, with the use of sheep erythrocytes, the mutant protein lacked the protective activity and caused increased hemolysis when it was added to factor H-depleted plasma. This study shows how a mutation that affects the C-terminal region of the factor H protein leads to defective complement control on cell surfaces and damage to endothelial cells in patients with HUS. These effects explain how mutant factor H causes defective complement control and in HUS-particularly under condition of inflammation and complement activation-causes endothelial cell damage.     

Metabolic and mitogenic effects of insulin-like growth factor I on rat glomerular mesangial cells cultured under high concentration of glucose

Recent studies indicate the important roles of mesangial cell dysfunction and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in the development of diabetic nephropathy. In order to know whether hyperglycemia could alter IGF-I action on mesangial cells, we examined mitogenic and metabolic effects of IGF-I on mesangial cells. Mesangial cells revealed to express considerable numbers of receptors specific to IGF-I will relatively small numbers of insulin receptors. The uptake of [3H]-2-deoxy-glucose, [3H]-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB), or [3H]-thymidine into mesangial cells was stimulated by IGF-I at physiological concentrations. Under high concentrations of glucose (55 mM), the stimulation of thymidine uptake by IGF-I was significantly suppressed from 5863 +/- 549 (at 11 mM glucose) to 1731 +/- 146 DPM/100 micrograms/prot. On the contrary, AIB incorporation by IGF-I was significantly enhanced in the cells cultured under high concentration of glucose, as 2.03 +/- 0.03n mol/mg protein/15 min at 55 mM glucose vs 0.59 +/- 0.01 at 11 mM glucose. In conclusion; 1) IGF-I had metabolic and mitogenic effects on rat mesangial cells at physiological concentrations. 2) under excess glucose conditions, mitogenic action of IGF-I on rat mesangial cells was suppressed, while amino acid incorporation was enhanced. These results suggest that modulation of IGF-I effects on mesangial cell by glucose could be associated with mesangial cell dysfunction in diabetes.     

Effects of histamine on inositol phosphates and intracellular Ca2+ in human glomerular epithelial cells

The effect of histamine on the phosphoinositide turnover andintracellular free calcium activity [Ca²⁺]_i was examined inhuman glomerular epithelial cells in culture. Addition of histamineto glomerular epithelial cells resulted in formation of inositolphosphates in a time- and dose-dependent manner. A transientmaximum of inositol trisphosphate (InsP₃) was observed within10 s. Stimulation of protein kinase C by short-term pretreatment(15 mm) of glom erular epithelial cells with phorbol 12-mynstate13-acetate caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the histamine-inducedinositol phosphate accumulation. The baseline of [Ca²⁺]_i inthe cells was 115 ±2.7 nmol/l (n=103). Histamine (ED₅₀:approx. 2x10^–7mol/l) caused a rapid and transient increasein [Ca²⁺]_i, as detected by fura-2 microfluorimetry studies.In a calcium-free extracellular solution the rapid increaseof [Ca²⁺]_i was still present. The H₁ receptor antagonist mepyramine(IC₅₀: approx. 8 x 10^–9 mol/l) inhibited the histamine(10^–6 mol/l) response on [Ca²⁺]_i Cimetidine, a potentH₂ receptor antagonist, showed no effect. This data indicates that H₁ receptor activation causes hydrolysisof phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate by phospholipase Cactivation, and consecutive mobil ization of intracellular calcium.Since histamine is a mediator of inflammation, antigen responseand cellular injury, these findings could be of importance forthe understanding of glomerular epithelial cell pathology.     

Expression of TGF-beta-induced matrix protein betaig-h3 is up-regulated in the diabetic rat kidney and human proximal tubular epithelial cells treated with high glucose

BACKGROUNDS: betaig-h3 is an extracellular matrix protein whose expression in several cell types is greatly increased by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). TGF-beta is believed to be involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy and thus we have assessed the possibility that betaig-h3 may be a downstream molecule in this pathogenic process. METHODS: Immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry were done using an antibody against mouse betaig-h3 protein. betaig-h3 and TGF-beta concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell adhesion and migration were assessed by measuring activity of N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase and using a transwell plate, respectively. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry revealed that betaig-h3 occurs mainly in the basement membrane of proximal tubules, particularly the S3 segment but also to lesser extents in the basement membranes of the cortical thick ascending limb cells and the parietal glomerular epithelial cells in Bowman's capsule. Immunoblotting revealed that approximately 68 kD bands were seen only in the cortex + the outer stripe of the outer medulla. Rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes exhibited a marked and sustained increase in renal betaig-h3 abundance. This was mirrored by urinary betaig-h3 levels. In vitro experiments with human primary renal proximal tubular epithelial cells revealed that their expression of betaig-h3 was greatly increased by either TGF-beta or glucose. High glucose levels also stimulated TGF-beta production by renal proximal tubular epithelial cells and the high glucose-induced betaig-h3 expression was almost completely blocked by anti-TGF-beta antibody. betaig-h3 mediated renal proximal tubular epithelial cells adhesion and migration. CONCLUSION: betaig-h3 may be important in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore, the level of urinary betaig-h3 may be useful as an early marker reflecting disease onset and progression.     

Evidence that double transfection to xenoendothelial cells using GPI-anchoring complement regulatory factor (DAF and HRF20) genes is useful for the inhibition of human complement-mediated cytolysis

Abstract: It has been known that xenogeneic cells transfected with regulator of complement activation (RCA) molecules such as DAF ( CD55 ), MCP ( CD46 ) and HRF20 ( CD59 ) resist the lysis by the human complement. However, it has not been demonstrated that the induction of double RCA molecules is more effective than that of single RCA molecule to inhibit the human complement attack. In this study, the authors compared the effect on the protection from complement-mediated lysis between single transfection and double transfection of DAF and HRF20 cDNA to bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) using retro viral vector.
BAEC transfected with DAF or HRF20 cDNA resisted the lysis by human serum in parallel with the intensity of antigen expression, whereas BAEC transfected with both DAF and HRF20 cDNA resisted the lysis by human serum with anti-BAEC antibody, not human serum alone, more effectively than those with DAF cDNA alone. We conclude that the xenogeneic cells doubly transfected with both DAF and HRF20 cDNA are protected from complement mediated lysis more effectively than those singly transfected with DAF cDNA alone.     

The effect of pH and nucleophiles on complement activation by human proximal tubular epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Activation of urinary complement proteins in situ by proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTEC) may contribute to the mediation of tubulointerstitial injury in patients with significant proteinuria. However, the mechanism involved is unclear, and the role of changes in urinary pH and in the concentrations of urea or ammonia requires further clarification. METHODS: The protein fraction of urine samples from nine patients with proteinuria >1.5 g/day was purified. A cell ELISA involving cultured HK-2 PTEC was used to investigate the capacity of urinary protein to promote the deposition of both C3 and C9 on the cell surface. The effect of variations in pH (5.5-8.0) and in the concentration of urea and ammonia was also examined. C3 was purified and used to further investigate the mechanism of complement deposition. RESULTS: Urine samples from the majority of patients induced deposition of C3 and C9 on the surface of HK-2 cells via the alternative pathway. This process was maximal at acidic pH values. Preincubation of urinary complement or serum with urea or ammonia inhibited C3 deposition. Purified C3 incubated with HK-2 cells showed no evidence of activation in the absence of other complement components. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that bicarbonate protects against complement-mediated damage in the lumen by increasing the local pH, rather than by inhibiting the generation of ammonia. PTEC appear to activate complement through provision of a 'protected site' on their surface, rather than by the activation of C3 by convertase-like protease(s).     

辛伐他汀对高糖刺激下系膜细胞细胞骨架及结缔组织生长因子 mRNA表达的影响

他汀类药物属羟甲基戊二酰辅酶A(HMG-CoA)还原酶抑制剂,不仅具有降脂作用,同时还有一定的非降脂相关的肾保护作用[1].结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)是促进肾脏纤维化的重要因子.     

Immunoelectron microscopic study on type I, II and III TGF-beta receptors on visceral glomerular epithelial cells in relation to glomerular basement membrane alterations in proteinuric rats.

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta is a regulator of extracellular matrix accumulation. Both TGF-beta receptors, type I (TbetaRI) and type II (TbetaRII), may be required for signal transduction in the TGF-beta pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the TGF-beta pathways and glomerular basement membrane (GBM) accumulation in vivo. METHODS: We examined TbetaRI, II, and III protein expression on visceral glomerular epithelial cells (GEP) in relation to GBM alterations in passive Heymann nephritis (PHN), anti-GBM nephritis and anti-thymocyte serum (ATS) nephritis. Renal tissues were examined by pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy 3, 7 and 14 days after induction of nephritis in rats. RESULTS: In normal control rats TbetaRI was not detected on GEP, TbetaRII expression was very occasionally found on GEP and TbetaRIII was seen in the cytoplasm of the GEP. TbetaRI, TbetaRII, and TbetaRIII were constitutively expressed on glomerular endothelial cells. By day 3 of anti-GBM nephritis and PHN, expression of TbetaRI, TbetaRII, and TbetaRIII was still similar to that of normal control rats, and GBM alterations in both models were not prominent except for deposit formation in PHN. From day 7 onwards, in both models, expression of TbetaRI and TbetaRII on GEP increased in association with GBM thickening. Expression of TbetaRIII in the cytoplasm of the GEP was increased, with occasional positive staining being seen on the urinary surface of the GEP from day 7 onwards. On the other hand, at day 3 of ATS nephritis, increased expression of TbetaRI and TbetaRII on GEP was noted, but from day 7 onwards, expression of TbetaR II on GEP dramatically decreased. Expression of TbetaRIII in the cytoplasm of the GEP also transiently increased at day 3. GBM thickening was not noted in ATS nephritis. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that persistent upregulation of expression of TbetaRI, TbetaRII and possibly TbetaRIII on GEP may contribute to GBM matrix accumulation in vivo.