Characterization of hyaluronan cable structure and function in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells

Alteration in the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan (HA) has been demonstrated in numerous renal diseases. We have demonstrated that renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTCs) surround themselves in vitro with HA in an organized pericellular matrix or 'coat', which is associated with cell migration, and also form pericellular HA cable-like structures which modulate PTC-mononuclear leukocytes interactions. The aim of this study was to characterize potential regulatory mechanism in the assembly of PTC-HA into pericellular cables. HA cables are generated by PTCs in the absence of serum. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrates the incorporation of components of the inter-alpha-inhibitor (IalphaI) family of proteins and versican into HA cables. Addition of an antibody to IalphaI/PalphaI (pre-alpha-inhibitor) inhibits cable formation. In contrast, inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6) has no effect on cable formation, suggesting that their generation is independent of the known heavy-chain transfer activity of TSG-6. Overexpression of HAS3 is associated with induction of HA cable formation, and also increased incorporation of HA into pericellular coats. Functionally, this resulted in enhanced HA-dependent monocyte binding and cell migration, respectively. Cell surface expression of CD44 and trypsin-released cell-associated HA were increased in HAS3-overexpressing cells. In addition, hyaluronidase (hyal1 and hyal2) and bikunin mRNA expression were increased, whereas PalphaI HC3 mRNA expression was unchanged in the transfected cells. The data demonstrate the importance of IalphaI/PalphaI in cable formation and suggest that expression of HAS3 may be critical for HA cable assembly.     

Overexpression of aquaporin 2 in renal tubular epithelial cells alleviates pyroptosis

BackgroundSevere renal ischemia-reperfusion injury results in worse outcomes of kidney transplantation. Compared to the collecting duct, the proximal tubule is more likely to exhibit severe pyroptosis and damage during renal ischemia-reperfusion. Aquaporins were reported of having regulatory roles in pyroptosis. We explored whether aquaporin 2 overexpression in proximal tubular cells could alleviate ischemia-reperfusion injury related pyroptosis.MethodsA renal ischemia-reperfusion model of mice was established, and human kidney 2 cells were treated with hypoxia-reoxygenation. Aquaporin 2 overexpression was achieved in human kidney 2 cells transfected with lentivirus, which were then cultured with murine cells. Renal tissues and serum of the mice, and human kidney 2 cells were subjected to histological, molecular, and biochemical examinations.ResultsCompared with the sham group, the renal function of the ischemia-reperfusion group was significantly decreased, and the tissue injury was severe and accompanied by more nuclear dissolved and necrosis. Besides, the expression of aquaporin 1-5 decreased significantly, while the expression of Toll-like receptor 4, caspase-1, kim-1 and interleukin 1β and 18 increased significantly in ischemia-reperfusion group. Similar results were observed in the human kidney 2 cells test. Overexpression of aquaporin 2 partially reversed the cell damage, pyroptosis, and molecular expression changes of human kidney 2 cells induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that aquaporin 2 overexpression can potentially reduce pyroptosis in proximal tubular cells, and thus might be a novel target for relieving pyroptosis and injury in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

Overexpression of acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase beta increases proinflammatory cytokines in cultured human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells

Background  

We have identified the acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase beta gene (ACACB) as a strong susceptibility gene to diabetic nephropathy in individuals with type 2 diabetes. To elucidate the mechanism by which ACACB contributes to conferring susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy, we examined the role of ACACB in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (RPTECs).     

Characterization of CD44-mediated hyaluronan binding by renal tubular epithelial cells

Background. CD44 is the main receptor for the extracellular polysaccharide hyaluronan (HA). We have recently shown that CD44 is strongly induced on renal tubular epithelial cells (TEC) in autoimmune renal injury and that HA accumulates in the renal interstitium (Kidney Int 1996; 50: 156-163 and Nephrol Dial Transplant 1997; 12: 1344-1353). The functional significance of enhanced tubular CD44 expression and its interaction with HA are not known. The purpose of the present study was to characterize renal tubular CD44 expression and CD44-mediated HA binding in vitro and to investigate the growth modulating effects in response to HA binding by TEC. Methods. RT-PCR analysis, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy and Western blotting were used to examine cell surface and soluble CD44 expression by cultured TEC, using SV40-transformed mouse cortical tubular (MCT) cells. HA binding characteristics were examined by flow cytometry and effects of HA on TEC cell growth by [³H]thymidine incorporation. Results. By RT-PCR analysis MCT cells expressed predominantly the standard form of CD44 mRNA, whereas the expression of variant forms was very weak. Confocal microscopy showed that CD44 was expressed basolaterally and apically on MCT cells with strong staining on microvilli. Shedding of CD44 from MCT cells could be induced with crosslinking of anti-CD44 mAbs or with PMA stimulation. MCT cells constitutively bound HA and this binding could be modulated with anti-CD44 mAbs. Soluble and plate-bound HA markedly inhibited MCT cell growth. Conclusions. CD44 is a regulated HA receptor on MCT cells which can be shed into the cellular environment. Upon binding of HA, CD44 functions as a growth inhibitory cell surface protein in MCT cells. We speculate that the interaction of CD44 with HA may have important regulatory effects on cell proliferation in tubulointerstitial renal diseases.     

Glutamatergic signaling maintains the epithelial phenotype of proximal tubular cells

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to the progression of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), which is present in proximal tubular epithelium, is a glutamate receptor that acts as a calcium channel. Activation of NMDAR induces actin rearrangement in cells of the central nervous system, but whether it helps maintain the epithelial phenotype of the proximal tubule is unknown. Here, knockdown of NMDAR1 in a proximal tubule cell line (HK-2) induced changes in cell morphology, reduced E-cadherin expression, and increased α-SMA expression. Induction of EMT with TGF-β1 led to downregulation of both E-cadherin and membrane-associated β-catenin, reorganization of F-actin, expression of mesenchymal markers de novo, upregulation of Snail1, and increased cell migration; co-treatment with NMDA attenuated all of these changes. Furthermore, NMDA reduced TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and Akt and the activation of Ras, suggesting that NMDA antagonizes TGF-β1-induced EMT by inhibiting the Ras-MEK pathway. In the unilateral ureteral obstruction model, treatment with NMDA blunted obstruction-induced upregulation of α-SMA, FSP1, and collagen I and downregulation of E-cadherin. Taken together, these results suggest that NMDAR plays a critical role in preserving the normal epithelial phenotype and modulating tubular EMT.     

Role of serotonin in the regulation of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells

In various renal injuries, tissue damage occurs and platelet activation is observed. Recent studies suggest that some factors, such as serotonin, are released into microenvironment upon platelet activation following renal injury. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether platelets and platelet-released serotonin are involved in the functional regulation of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs). PTECs were obtained by primary cell culture and treated with platelet lysate (PL) (2?×?10⁶/mL, 4?×?10⁶/mL, 8?×?10⁶/mL) or serotonin (1?μM or 5?μM) for 12 or 24?h. Phenotypic transdifferentiation of epithelial cells into myofibroblasts were demonstrated under light microscope and confirmed by the determination of α-smooth muscle actin gene expression. Serotonin and PL were shown to induce epithelial–mesenchymal transdifferentiation of PTECs. After stimulation of PTECs with serotonin or PL, matrix metalloproteinase-2, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and collagen-α1 gene expressions, which were reported to be elevated in renal injury, were determined by real-time PCR and found to be upregulated. Expressions of some inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and transforming growth factor-β1 were found to be increased in both protein and gene levels. Recently there is no published report on the effect of serotonin on renal PTECs. Results obtained in this study have lightened the role of serotonin and platelet-mediated effects of serotonin on fibrotic and inflammatory processes in PTECs.     

Inhibition of water absorption in human proximal tubular epithelial cells in response to Shiga toxin-2

Postdiarrhea hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is the most common cause of acute renal failure in children in Argentina. It is well established that Shiga toxin type 2 (Stx2) causes direct damage to glomerular endothelial cells and tubular epithelial cells, leading to a reduction in the water handling capacity of the kidney. In this study, we demonstrate that Stx2 and its B subunit (Stx2B) were able to inhibit water absorption across human renal tubular epithelial cell (HRTEC) monolayers without altering the short circuit current and the ³H-mannitol permeability. Quantitative evaluation of ¹⁴C-inulin transport across HRTEC monolayers showed a similar transport rate both before and after HRTEC treatment with Stx2 that confirmed the integrity of the paracellular pathway. Furthermore, Stx2 produced significant protein synthesis inhibition of HRTEC at concentrations as low as 0.001 ng/ml and 1 h of incubation, whereas Stx2B did not modify it at concentrations as high as 10,000 ng/ml and 6 h of incubation. Our findings suggest that whereas the action of Stx2 appears to be caused mainly by the inhibition of protein synthesis mediated by the A subunit, the binding of Stx2B subunit to the Gb3 receptor may affect the membrane mechanisms related to water absorption. We speculate that inhibition of water absorption may occur in proximal tubular cells in vivo in response to Stx2 and may contribute to the early event of HUS pathogenesis.     

Numb基因在大鼠肾小管上皮细胞转分化过程中的作用

目的 探讨Numb在大鼠肾小管上皮细胞转分化过程中的作用。 方法 重组人转化生长因子β1（TGF-β1）刺激大鼠近端肾小管上皮细胞(NRK52E细胞),不同浓度TGF-β1 （0、1、5、10、15、20 μg/L）作用48 h与TGF-β1 10 μg/L作用不同时间(0、24、48、72 h)后,采用RT-PCR、Western印迹和免疫荧光染色分别检测NRK52E细胞内E钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)、α平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-SMA）和Numb 的表达。采用RNA干扰技术下调Numb表达,Western印迹观察改变Numb水平对E-cadherin、α-SMA蛋白水平的影响。 结果 TGF-β1以剂量及时间依赖的方式诱导NRK52E细胞E-cadherin 蛋白表达下调,α-SMA 蛋白表达增高。Numb蛋白的表达随TGF-β1浓度的增加而增高,在5、10、15和20 μg/L时分别为0 μg/L时的1.33倍（P = 0.024)、1.39倍（P = 0.035）、1.45倍（P = 0.025）和1.51倍（P = 0.000)。而Numb蛋白和mRNA的表达亦随TGF-β1作用时间的延长而增高,作用24 h、48 h、72 h,Numb蛋白分别为0 h的1.48倍（P = 0.046)、1.54倍（P = 0.011）、1.79倍（P = 0.028）,Numb mRNA分别为0 h的1.56倍（P = 0.012)、1.82倍（P = 0.008）、1.82倍（P = 0.002）;同时Numb的分布也发生了改变,大量聚集在胞质中。下调Numb表达可以显著抑制TGF-β1诱导的α-SMA表达上调（为Numb表达正常时的18.1%,P = 0.004）、E-cadherin表达下调（为Numb表达正常时的2.19倍,P = 0.004）。 结论 Numb可以促进肾小管上皮细胞发生转分化。     

Expression of a functional asialoglycoprotein receptor in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells

BACKGROUND: The asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) is a C lectin which binds and endocytoses serum glycoproteins. In humans, the ASGPR is shown mainly to occur in hepatocytes, but does occur extrahepatically in thyroid, in small and large intestines, and in the testis. In the kidney, there has been evidence both for and against its existence in mesangial cells. METHODS: Standard light microscopy examination of renal tissue stained with an antibody against the ASGPR was performed. The mRNA expression for the ASGPR H1 and H2 subunits in primary human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (RPTEC), in the human proximal tubular epithelial cell line HK2, and in human renal cortex was investigated using reverse-transcribed nested polymerase chain reaction. ASGPR protein expression as well as ligand binding and uptake were also examined using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry (fluorescence-activated cell sorting). RESULTS: Light microscopy of paraffin renal biopsy sections stained with a polyclonal antibody against the ASGPR showed proximal tubular epithelial cell staining of the cytoplasm and particularly in the basolateral region. Renal cortex and RPTEC specifically have mRNA for both H1 and H2 subunits of the ASGPR, but HK2 only expresses mRNA for H1. Using a monoclonal antibody, the presence of the ASGPR in RPTEC was shown by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and immunofluorescent staining. Specific binding and uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled asialofetuin which is a specific ASGPR ligand was also demonstrated in RPTEC. CONCLUSIONS: Primary renal proximal tubular epithelial cells have a functional ASGPR, consisting of the H1 and H2 subunits, that is capable of specific ligand binding and uptake.     

重组人骨桥蛋白刺激人近端肾小管上皮细胞向间质细胞转化的研究

目的 观察骨桥蛋白(OPN)对人近端肾小管上皮细胞(HK-2)向间质细胞转化(EMT)的影响.方法 依据加入的重组人骨桥蛋白(rhOPN)的浓度,将HK-2细胞分成6组,rhOPN的浓度依次为:0.00、0.04、0.08、0.12、0.16、0.20 mg/L,刺激时间为48h.采用共聚焦显微镜观察细胞形态学变化;实时定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)、Western blot检测E-钙黏素(E-cad)、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、纤连蛋白(FN)的表达;应用流式细胞仪检测各组细胞的凋亡.结果 在形态学上,rhOPN能够刺激HK-2细胞向间质细胞转变,通过实时定量PCR、Western blot分析发现上皮细胞的表面标记E-cad随着刺激浓度的增加而逐渐降低,间质细胞的标记物α-SMA、FN的表达逐渐升高,实时定量PCR检测E-cad依次为:1947.0±301.0、1114.0±187.4、668.7±180.4、436.7±121.8、242.7±105.2、223.5±73.4; α-SMA依次为:0.01465±0.003 38、0.034 28±0.01200、0.06034±0.005 65、0.09205±0.010 68、0.11360±0.018 92、0.186 30±0.021 75;FN依次为:0.000 818±0.000103、0.001 341±0.000203、0.001 708±0.000128、0.002 170±0.000161、0.003 369±0.000314、0.004961±0.000364.Western blot检测E-cad依次为:1.719±0.159、1.370±0.016、1.238±0.031、0.916±0.056、0.520±0.065、0.456±0.073;α-SMA依次为:0.623±0.127、0.640±0.031、0.865±0.045、1.015±0.107、1.290±0.103、1.381±0.040; FN依次为:0.475±0.044、0.499±0.062、0.904±0.066、0.981 ±0.052、1.272±0.093、1.614±0.056,各组之间差异有统计学意义(均P＜0.05),且随着OPN刺激浓度的增加,细胞的抗凋亡能力也逐渐增强.结论 OPN能够刺激HK-2细胞向间质细胞转化,且呈现出明显的剂量依赖性.     

Interaction between proximal tubular epithelial cells and infiltrating monocytes/T cells in the proteinuric state

We hypothesize an interaction between T cells/monocytes and the tubules in the development of tubulointerstitial injury in chronic proteinuric nephropathy. We established in vitro co-culture systems of proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTEC) and T cells/monocytes to study the contribution of soluble factors and cell-to-cell contact in the development of tubulointerstitial injury. The release of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1 or CCL2), Regulated upon Activation, normal T cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES or CCL5), soluble intracellular adhesion molecules-1 (sICAM-1), or interleukin-6 (IL-6) was increased in PTEC following apical exposure to human serum albumin (HSA). The release of CCL2, CCL5, or sICAM-1 from PTEC was enhanced by contact of monocytes/T cells on the basolateral surface. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and IL-1beta are important soluble factors as suggested by the blocking effect of antibodies (Abs) against TNF-alpha or IL-1beta but not against other cytokines. The percentage of CD4+ T cells expressing both chemokine receptors, CCR2 and CCR5, was increased after culturing with supernatant from the apical or basolateral surface of PTEC following apical exposure to HSA. However, only CCR2 was upregulated in CD8+ T cells, whereas CCR5 expression was increased in monocytes. The chemotaxis of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells to supernatant from PTEC upon apical exposure to HSA was reduced with neutralizing Abs against CCL5 and/or CCL2, whereas the chemotaxis of monocytes was only reduced by anti-CCL5 but not by anti-CCL2. In summary, chemokines released by HSA-activated PTEC are amplified by monocytes/T cells. Mediators released by HSA-activated PTEC can differentially modulate the expression of chemokine receptors in monocytes/T cells and hence, alter their chemotaxis towards activated PTEC. These interactions are pivotal in the development of tubulointerstitial injury.     

Alternative pathway complement activation induces proinflammatory activity in human proximal tubular epithelial cells

Background. Proximal tubular epithelial cells express a surface C3-convertase activity which induces C fixation and insertion of the C5b-9 membrane attack complex (MAC) into the cell plasma membrane. The physiopathological consequences of this phenomenon are unknown. Methods. The effect of C fixation on the production of inflammatory mediators by human proximal tubular epithelial cells in culture was explored. Results. Proximal tubular epithelial cells incubated with a sublytic amount of normal human serum as a source of C, but not with heat-inactivated human serum, showed a time-dependent calcium influx and a concomitant release of ¹⁴C-arachidonic acid (¹⁴C-AA). Eicosanoid synthesis following the arachidonic acid mobilization was studied as prostaglandin E2 release. Mg²⁺/EGTA, which did not prevent C activation by the C3-convertase, and p-bromodiphenacyl bromide, a phospholipase A2-inhibitor, inhibited mobilization of ¹⁴C-AA. These results suggest the activation of an extracellular Ca²⁺-dependent, phospholipase A2. Complement fixation was associated with the synthesis of proinflammaotry cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-&agr;. Experiments with C6-deficient sera indicated that the release of ¹⁴C-AA and the production of cytokines were dependent on the insertion of the terminal components of complement in the plasma membrane. Indeed, the reconstitution of normal haemolytic activity of C6-deficient sera with purified C6 restored also the release of ¹⁴C-AA and the production of cytokines. Conclusion. In vitro complement activation on the proximal tubular cell surface triggers the generation of proinflammatory mediators, which may potentially contribute to the pathogenesis of tubulointerstitial injury.     

Role of ceramide synthase in oxidant injury to renal tubular epithelial cells.

Ceramide has been implicated to play an important role in the cell signaling pathway involved in apoptosis. Most studies that have used the apoptotic model of cellular injury have suggested that enhanced ceramide generation is the result of the breakdown of sphingomyelin by sphingomyelinases. However, the role of ceramide synthase in enhanced ceramide generation in response to oxidant stress has not been previously examined in any tissue. Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) (1 mM) resulted in a rapid increase in ceramide generation (as measured by in vitro diacylglycerol kinase assay) in LLC-PK1 cells. The intracellular ceramide level was significantly increased at 5 min after exposure of cells to H(2)O(2) and thereafter continuously increased up to 60 min. H(2)O(2) also resulted in a rapid increase (within 5 min) in ceramide synthase activity (as measured by incorporation of [(14)C] from the labeled palmytoyl-CoA into dihydroceramide) in microsomes. In contrast, the exposure of cells to H(2)O(2) did not result in any significant change in sphingomyelin content or acid or neutral sphingomyelinase activity. An increase in ceramide production induced by H(2)O(2) preceded any evidence of DNA damage and cell death. The specific inhibitor of ceramide synthase, fumonisin B1 (50 microM), was able to suppress H(2)O(2)-induced ceramide generation and provided a marked protection against H(2)O(2)-induced DNA strand breaks, DNA fragmentation, and cell death. Taken together, these data provide the first evidence that H(2)O(2) is a regulator of ceramide synthase rather than sphingomyelinases and that ceramide synthase-dependent ceramide generation plays a key role in DNA damage and cell death in oxidant stress to renal tubular epithelial cells.