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.     

Control of rat glomerular epithelial cell growth in vitro

The interaction of cultured rat GEC1 with several growth factors was explored in order to obtain a better understanding of in vivo factors which might stimulate GEC proliferation. GEC proliferated in response to EGF but not IGF-1, MSA or PDGF. Specific, saturable receptors for EGF were detected in saturation and competition binding studies utilizing 125I-EGF with an approximate Kd of 1.7 nM and 86,000 binding sites per cell. TGF-beta inhibited GEC growth in a time and dose dependent manner with a brief early exposure resulting in prolonged growth inhibition which was not reversible by EGF. Exposure to TGF-beta sufficient to maximally inhibit growth had no effect on EGF binding to GEC. More prolonged exposure to TGF-beta, however, did result in an increase in the apparent number of EGF receptors on GEC but no change in Kd. These studies suggest that EGF and TGF-beta released by inflammatory cells or platelets during the course of glomerular injury may play a role in modulating glomerular cell proliferation.     

Prostaglandin and thromboxane synthesis by rat glomerular epithelial cells

Isolated rat glomeruli have been shown to synthesize prostaglandin (PG) and thromboxane (Tx). In this study, we evaluated, by radioimmunoassay and radiochromatographic methods, PG and Tx synthesis by glomerular cells in culture. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy showed polygonal cells, attached by desmosomes, with surface microvilli. These features are typical of glomerular epithelial cells. Incubation of these glomerular epithelial cells with arachidonic acid (C20:4) resulted in an array of endproducts with concentrations of PGE2 greater than TxB2 greater than PGF2 alpha greater than 6-keto-PGF1 alpha . Addition of angiotensin II (AII) to the cultured glomerular cell produced almost exclusive stimulation of PGE2 with PGE2 much much greater than PGF2 alpha greater than TxB2 = 6-keto-PGF1 alpha . AII and AIII (100 micrometer to 1 micrometer ) stimulated PGE2 in glomerular epithelial cells, and the increments of PGE2, as a function of the concentration of AII or AIII, were similar. The sar1-thr8-AII analog inhibited both AII- and AIII-stimulated PGE2 synthesis. The divalent cation ionophore A23187 in concentrations of 0.2 to 2.0 micrometer increased primarily PGE2 and TxB2 synthesis with smaller increases of PGF2 alpha and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha . The relative concentrations of PG and Tx produced by rat glomerular epithelial cells, incubated with C20:4 or A23187, were similar. Our results demonstrate that: (1) the predominant cell grown in culture from the rat glomerulus, after 9 days, is the epithelial cell; (2) this cell is capable of PG and Tx synthesis; (3) stimulation of PG by AII and AIII may be mediated by the same cellular receptor, AII and AIII increase primarily the synthesis of a vasodilatory PG, PGE2; (4) exogenous substrate C20:4 or release of endogenous C20:4 by the divalent cation ionophore A23187 not only stimulates PGE2 but also the vasoconstrictor TxA2; and (5) the PG and Tx endproducts synthesized by epithelial cells may be determined by an intracellular coupling of the specific synthetic enzymes with different pools of C20:4.     

Puromycin aminonucleoside metabolism by glomeruli and glomerular epithelial cells in vitro

Two puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) excretion products were purified by HPLC from urine of PAN-treated rats and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance as N6-dimethyl-3'amino-3'deoxyadenosine (DA-Ado) and N6-methyl-3'amino-3'deoxyadenosine (MA-Ado), respectively, the former corresponding to unmodified PAN. DA-Ado was not a substrate for adenosine deaminase (ADA), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) or xanthine oxidase (XO), while MA-Ado was consecutively converted into hypoxanthine by a mixture of ADA and PNP. A different rate of transformation of DA-Ado and MA-Ado into hypoxanthine by isolated glomeruli was observed and was higher for the monomethylated analogue by a factor of 3 (79% vs. 21%); this was ascribed to the rate-limiting level of a demethylase activity acting on DA-Ado. Furthermore, DA-Ado was not transformed by glomerular epithelial cells in culture, while a little amount of MA-Ado was converted into hypoxanthine after six hours of incubation. In spite of this different metabolic behavior, the same order of cytotoxicity on glomerular epithelial cells in culture was observed for MA-Ado, DA-Ado and commercial PAN. All these molecules induced a dose response inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA after exposure for two hours and a marked alteration of cell viability which was not inhibited by free radical scavengers and deferoxamine. This study provides the first evidence for a glomerular metabolism of PAN and its urinary metabolite MA-Ado involving their transformation via the purine cycle enzymes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Morphometric analysis of normal glomerular epithelial cells in rat and human

It has been postulated that morphological changes of podocytes might be related to glomerular sclerotic lesions in experimental models and patients with glomerular diseases. To estimate the absolute number of podocytes in mammalian normal glomerulus, we analyzed normal glomeruli in four rats and six humans. In PAS stained light microscopic sections, at least 25 midsections of open glomeruli were photographed. Stereologic estimation was performed to obtain the following values: absolute values of glomerular volume (V), glomerular surface area (S), podocyte and intraglomerular cell number per glomerulus (P and IGC), glomerular surface area covered by one podocyte (S/P) and glomerular volume occupied by one intraglomerular cell (V/IGC). The glomerular volume, glomerular surface area and podocyte and intraglomerular cell numbers per glomerulus of human were significantly increased compared with those of the rat (V: 2.70 +/- 0.86 > 0.89 +/- 0.19, S: 4.84 +/- 1.26 > 1.88 +/- 0.26, P: 407.7 +/- 88.2 > 153.8 +/- 84.0, p < 0.01 vs rat). On the other hand, there were no significant differences in glomerular surface area covered by one podocyte and glomerular volume occupied by one intraglomerular cell between the humans and rats (S/P: 1.25 +/- 0.20, 1.29 +/- 0.05, V/IGC: 2,471 +/- 487, 2,227 +/- 201, p < 0.01 vs rat). These data were almost the same as previously reported values. It appears that these values can be considered as standards for rats and humans in morphometric analysis of the glomerulus.     

Tissue factor production by cultured rat glomerular epithelial cells

It is well known that fibrin deposition in Bowman's space inassociation with crescent formation may play an important rolein progressive glomerular injury in crescentic glomerulonephritis.Recent reports describe the presence of a procoagulant activity(PCA) in the glomeruli and its increased expression in humanand experimental nephritis. The cells that synthesize PCA havenot yet been identified. We attempted to determine if glomerularepithelial cells (GEC), one of the prominent cell populationsin the crescent, can produce PCA. The PCA of cultured rat GECwas measured by clotting and amidolytic assays. The culturedGEC yielded PCA with the characteristics of a tissue factor,and this PCA was stimulated by interleukin 1, tumour necrosisfactor-alpha, and lipopolysaccharide. We concluded that GEC produce tissue-factor-like PCA and therebymay contribute to fibrin deposition, which, along with macrophageor monocyte infiltration, leads to crescent formation in crescenticglomerulonephritis.     

Stimulation of prostaglandin production in rat glomerular epithelial cells by antidiuretic hormone

Prostacyclin (PGI2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by rat glomerular epithelial cells in culture were stimulated by arginine vasopressin (AVP) over a dose range of 10(-9) to 10(-6) M, but only if the cells were allowed to recover from trypsin treatment. The effect of AVP was related to its pressor activity since the antidiuretic analogue of AVP, 1-deamino-8-D-Arg-vasopressin (dDAVP) had no effect. Angiotensin II and kallidin (lysyl-bradykinin) did not affect prostaglandin production by these cells. The stimulatory effect of AVP on arachidonate metabolism was inhibited by the calcium channel antagonist, nifedipine, in a dose-dependent fashion suggesting that cellular uptake of calcium was required.     

HIV infects glomerular endothelial and mesangial but not epithelial cells in vitro.

The infectivity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) in human glomerular cells was evaluated by exposing homogeneous cultures of human glomerular capillary endothelial, mesangial and epithelial cells to HIV in vitro. Infectivity and HIV expression was assessed by: 1) the measurement of p24 antigen production from culture supernatants; 2) the presence of p24 antigen intracellularly by immunofluorescence; 3) levels of P24 antigen production or syncytia formation following the cocultivation of glomerular cells exposed to HIV with normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells or MT-2 lymphocytes; and 4) the presence of intracellular HIV DNA by polymerase chain reaction. The results indicate that HIV can infect and replicate in glomerular capillary endothelial cells and in a small percentage of mesangial cells, but not in human glomerular epithelial cells in vitro.     

Vasoactive substances induce cytoskeletal changes in cultured rat glomerular epithelial cells.

Angiotensin II (ANG II), atrial natriuretic peptide III (ANP), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) alter capillary hydraulic conductivity in isolated glomeruli. These agents also affect cyclic nucleotide levels of glomerular epithelial cells (GEC). ANG II increases cAMP, whereas ANP and SNP increase cGMP. The effects of these vasoactive substances on GEC cytoskeleton were tested by incubating cells from primary cultures or an established cell line with each agent. Changes in the cytoskeleton were assessed by staining for F-actin with Bodipy phallacidin and for tubulin with NBD-colcemid. Control cells exhibited short bundles of F-actin or stress fibers near the base of the cells. These were frequently arranged in parallel and occasionally appeared to radiate from the center of the cell. Microtubules were arranged in a fine network throughout the cell with increased density adjacent to the nucleus and within the nucleolus. Incubation of GEC with 10(-7) M ANG II, cholera toxin, or 8Br-cAMP for 2 at 37 degrees C resulted in rearrangement of F-actin into distinct stellate patterns with a decrease in the relative intensity of the peripheral staining, all concurrent with a fivefold increase in intracellular cAMP. The incubation of GEC with 10(-6) M ANP or 10(-7) M SNP for 2 h at 37 degrees C resulted in apparent disassembly of stress fibers, sparse and more diffuse fluorescence, and some increase of fluorescence at the periphery of the cells, all concurrent with a 10-fold increase in intracellular cGMP. Cytochalasin D incubation led to complete disassembly of actin filaments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

大鼠胰腺导管上皮细胞体外分离与定向分化

目的分离和纯化大鼠的胰腺导管上皮细胞，在体外培养并诱导其向胰岛细胞定向分化。方法采用胶原酶逆行灌注法消化、密度梯度离心结合不同细胞贴壁差异性分离和纯化胰腺导管上皮细胞；以角蛋白-19（CK-19）免疫细胞化学染色进行鉴定；用RMPI1640＋含体积分数为10％的胎牛血清（FBS）培养基培养促进胰导管上皮细胞增殖，1周后，更换无血清培养基DMEM／F12并加入角朊细胞生长因子等进一步促进其增殖，细胞达80％汇合时传代，加入高糖及尼克酰胺促进胰导管上皮细胞向胰岛细胞定向分化；对胰岛样结构行双硫腙染色。结果CK-19染色结果证实所获细胞绝大多为导管上皮细胞。体外培养中导管上皮细胞24h开始贴壁，14-21d达80％融合并形成细胞克隆，第28d胰岛细胞样结构形成，且被双硫腙染成猩红色。结论采用密度梯度离心结合差异贴壁法可获得纯化的大鼠胰腺导管上皮细胞，在体外培养与诱导分化条件下可生成胰岛样结构。     

Parietal epithelial cells and podocytes in glomerular diseases

In recent years, it has become apparent that parietal epithelial cells (PECs) play an important role within the renal glomerulus, in particular in diseased conditions. In this review, we examine current knowledge about the role of PECs and their interactions with podocytes in development and under physiological conditions. A particular focus is on the crucial role of PECs and podocytes in two major glomerular disease entities. In rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, PECs and podocytes proliferate and obstruct the tubular outlet, resulting in loss of the affected nephron. In focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis, PECs become activated and invade a segment of the glomerular tuft via an adhesion. From this entry site, activated PECs displace podocytes and deposit matrix. Thus, activated PECs are involved in inflammatory as well as degenerative glomerular diseases, which both can lead to irreversible loss of renal function.     

The interaction of glomerular mesangial cells and epithelial cells

The interaction of cells within the glomerulus plays an important role in the development and progression of glomerular disease. To investigate the interaction of glomerular mesangial cells (GMC) and epithelial cells (GEC), and mediator(s) of this interaction, we investigated the effect of Adriamycin (doxorubicin hydrochloride)-induced (ADR) rat GMC-conditioned medium (GMC-CM) on the incorporation of ³⁵S, ³H-leucine, and ³H-thymidine in normal rat GEC, as well as ³H-thymidine uptake by normal rat GMC in response to ADR-rat GEC-CM. In addition, changes in the responsiveness to interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the products of IL-6 were assessed in ADR-rat GMC. The results showed that: (1) GMC-CM of ADR-rat with heavy proteinuria stimulated GEC proliferation and the synthesis of sulfated compounds and protein, while the GEC-CM of ADR-rat from the same nephrotic period increased GMC proliferation; (2) the ADR-rat GMC had altered responsiveness to IL-6 and its products. The stimulation index results demonstrated the interaction of GMC and GEC in the ADR-induced rat model, and that this interaction related closely to the degree of proteinuria and was mediated by soluble products of the damaged glomerular cell. Received March 29, 1996; received in revised form July 1, 1997; accepted July 2, 1997     

Gelatinase secretion by glomerular epithelial cells

A significant increase in gelatinolytic activity was observed in cultures of glomeruli from Heymann nephritic rats. Zymography of the culture medium indicated that the main gelatinase species has a molecular weight of 98 kilodaltons (kDa) and the characteristics of metalloproteinase. The 98-kDa gelatinase was detected in the culture medium of glomerular epithelial cells but not in those of endothelial and mesangial cells. Interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and lipopolysaccharide dose-dependently increased gelatinase production by epithelial cells. These results suggest that the gelatinase secreted by cytokine-stimulated glomerular epithelial cells participates in the pathological process of Heymann nephritis.     

Serial cultivation of normal rat bladder epithelial cells in vitro

Recent advances in culture techniques for human urothelial cells have led to the development of an improved method for growing primary rat bladder epithelial cells. We report here the conditions developed for large-scale in vitro growth and serial cultivation of normal diploid rat bladder epithelial cells. Primary cultures were initiated by attachment of bladder mucosal explants to type I collagen gels. A rapid outgrowth of epithelial cells from the explants occurred when cultured in a hormone-supplemented medium with epidermal growth factor. These primary outgrowths were passaged by nonenzymatic dispersion with 0.1 per cent ethylenediaminetetracetic acid and replating onto new gels. The capacity for routine serial passaging and maintenance of rat bladder epithelial cells required the presence of epidermal growth factor, a requirement not observed with human urothelial cells. The characteristics of the cultured rat bladder epithelial cells were similar to human urothelial cells in: ultrastructural and phase-contrast morphologic properties, showing junctional complexes, desmosomes, stratification and an apical glycocalyx; the absence of stromal cell contamination; and the ability to be serially passaged. Spontaneous cell-line formation was observed with the rat bladder epithelial cells, but has not been found with the human urothelial cells. With the method that we have developed, the number of rat bladder epithelial cells generated from a single bladder of a 4 to 6 week old rat was increased 100-fold from about 7 X 10(5) cells to 7 X 10(7) viable cells within 3 weeks of culture. The capability of culturing normal, primary rat bladder epithelial cells on this scale has not been reported previously and will facilitate comparative studies of the biological and molecular characteristics of the mammalian urothelium. Furthermore, this culture system will be useful for carcinogenesis studies, including metabolic activation of carcinogens and cellular transformation in vitro.     

大鼠肝卵圆细胞的分离培养和体外分化研究

目的 观察大鼠肝卵圆细胞的活化，为进一步研究肝卵圆细胞特征建立简单的分离培养方法。方法 利用2-乙酰氨基笏／部分肝切除建立肝卵圆细胞活化的大鼠模型，采用选择性消化法从该模型中分离纯化肝卵圆细胞，并做免疫细胞荧光鉴定。用丁酸钠诱导其分化。结果 成功地建立了肝卵圆细胞活化模型，并从中分离培养了表达OV6、CK19、AFP、白蛋白、c-kit、Thy1、CD45和CD34的卵圆细胞。在丁酸钠刺激下它可向肝细胞分化。结论 利用选择性消化法可以分离到肝卵圆细胞，并且其具有肝干细胞的特征。     

Isolation,in vitro cultivation,and electron microscopy of normal and malignant prostatic epithelial cells from the Copenhagen rat

Summary Procedures are described for the isolation and cultivation of normal rat prostatic epithelial cells. The techniques, which involve collagenase digestion and Ficoll purification of the epithelial population, are efficient, inexpensive, and produce pure monolayers. Included is a scanning and transmission electron microscopic study comparing cells isolated in vitro to rat prostatic epithelial cells in situ. Further ultrastructural comparisons are made to a malignant cell line, the Dunning R3327H Copenhagen rat prostatic adenocarcinoma.