The regeneration of the cells of the macula densa after subtotal nephrectomy in the rat.

An autoradiographic study of the proliferative response of the cells of the Macula Densa days or months after the removal of 5/6 of the rat's kidney has shown that these cells are capable of division. The index of labelling of these cells is considerably lower than that of the other cells of the distal tubules. This applies of the kidney of normal controls and to the remnant after partial nephrectomy, shortly after operation as well as several months later. The cells of the Macula Densa therefore seem to represent a more stable population in the nephron. They therefore differ from the other cells of the distal tubules not only in appearance and function, but also in the pattern of cell proliferation.     

Immunolocalization of cyclooxygenase-2 in the macula densa of human elderly.

To gain insight into the role of prostanoids in human kidney function, we examined the distribution of cyclooxygenase (COX) 1 and COX-2 by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry in human kidneys from adults of various age groups. COX-1 was detected in the collecting ducts, thin loops of Henle and portions of the renal vasculature. COX-2 was detected in the renal vasculature, medullary interstitial cells, and the macula densa. In addition, COX-2 immunoreactivity was noted in afferent arteries and the macula densa of the renal cortex and was more evident in the kidneys of older adults.     

Histochemical studies of epithelial cell glycoproteins in normal rat colon

Two general classes of glycoproteins have been identified in the colonic epithelial cells of the Sprague Dawley rat. Glycoproteins belonging to the first of these classes contain sialic acids both with and without side chain o-acyl substituents, abundant o-sulphate ester and 'neutral sugars' (hexose, 6-deoxyhexose or N-acetyl hexosamine residues) with oxidisable vicinal diols and are located in the goblet cells of the descending colon and in goblet cells populating the upper halves of the crypts of the ascending colon. In the descending colon, the sulphosialoglycoproteins in the goblet cells in the base of the crypts contain sialic acids without side chain o-acyl substituents. It appears that as these cells migrate up the crypts, there is o-acylation of the side chains of the sialic acids of the glycoproteins and an increase in the quantity of 'neutral sugars' without a corresponding increase in sialic acid. Glycoproteins with similar properties to those of the goblet cells of the upper halves of the crypts of the descending colon, but containing less sulphate, are found in the goblet cells of the upper half of the crypts of the ascending colon. The second general class of glycoproteins contain sialic acids all, or almost all of which, are substituted at position C8 and only relatively small quantities of sulphate. They are located in the mucous cells of the descending colon, the deep crypt secretory cells of the ascending colon and the columnar absorptive cell brush border.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Basic properties and potential regulators of the apical K+ channel in macula densa cells

These studies examine the properties of an apical potassium (K+) channel in macula densa cells, a specialized group of cells involved in tubuloglomerular feedback signal transmission. To this end, individual glomeruli with thick ascending limbs (TAL) and macula densa cells were dissected from rabbit kidney and the TAL covering macula densa cells was removed. Using patch clamp techniques, we found a high density (up to 54 channels per patch) of K+ channels in the apical membrane of macula densa cells. An inward conductance of 41.1 +/- 4.8 pS was obtained in cell-attached patches (patch pipette, 140 mM K+). In inside- out patches (patch pipette, 140 mM; bath, 5 mM K+), inward currents of 1.1 +/- 0.1 pA (n = 11) were observed at 0 mV and single channel current reversed at a pipette potential of -84 mV giving a permeability ratio (PK/PNa) of over 100. In cell-attached patches, mean channel open probability (N,Po, where N is number of channels in the patch and Po is single channel open probability) was unaffected by bumetanide, but was reduced from 11.3 +/- 2.7 to 1.6 +/- 1.3 (n = 5, p < 0.02) by removal of bath sodium (Na+). Simultaneous removal of bath Na+ and calcium (Ca2+) prevented the Na(+)-induced decrease in N.Po indicating that the effect of Na+ removal on N.Po was probably mediated by stimulation of Ca2+ entry. This interpretation was supported by studies where ionomycin, which directly increases intracellular Ca2+, produced a fall in N.Po from 17.8 +/- 4.0 to 5.9 +/- 4.1 (n = 7, p < 0.02). In inside- out patches, the apical K+ channel was not sensitive to ATP but was directly blocked by 2 mM Ca2+ and by lowering bath pH from 7.4 to 6.8. These studies constitute the first single channel observations on macula densa cells and establish some of the characteristics and regulators of this apical K+ channel. This channel is likely to be involved in macula densa transepithelial Cl- transport and perhaps in the tubuloglomerular feedback signaling process.     

Morphometrical and immunocytochemical studies on rat pancreatic acinar cells under control and experimental conditions

Process of amylase and chymotrypsinogen secretion by acinar cells has been studied applying morphological and biochemical approaches. Three conditions were investigated; resting (fed control), cholinergic stimulation and fasting. Morphometrical evaluations have shown that under stimulation, the volume density of zymogen granules decreases drastically while that of the Golgi apparatus increases. This may result from the enhancement in protein processing and the rapid discharge. Quantitation of amylase and chymotrypsinogen immunolabelings present over the cellular compartments has shown that there is no difference in the intensities between tissues from control and stimulated animals. These results imply that total amounts of protein processed by the Golgi apparatus are markedly enhanced primarily because of the increase in size of the organelle, the amounts of protein processed per unit surface remaining unchanged. Under starvation where reduction of secretion occurs, there is a significant decrease in the volume density of the Golgi apparatus but no variation in that of the zymogen granules. However, the morphological aspect of these was markedly altered since many of them present an electron luscent periphery which was devoid of immunolabeling for amylase and chymotrypsinogen. Quantitation of amylase and chymotrypsinogen immunolabelings has shown significant diminution for both enzymes. In both experimental conditions, the volume density of lysosomes was enhanced, however in none of these conditions evidence of crinophagy was observed. The morphometrical and immunocytochemical results were consistent with those obtained from biochemical determination of amylase and chymotrypsinogen contents in tissues. Correlations between results obtained from morphometric and immunocytochemical studies were made leading to a better understanding of the cellular secretory activity during experimental conditions.     

Histochemical studies of rat ovarian follicular cells in vitro

Summary Membrana granulosa cells were aspirated from large follicles of proestrous rat ovaries and were cultivated as monolayers. For histochemical identification of dehydrogenases, the monolayers were incubated in various steroid substrates, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, and Nitro Blue Tetrazolium. The presence of Δ^p5-3β-, 3α-, 17β- and 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases was demonstrated by the 4th day in vitro and was evident for as long as 20 days. Since none of these hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases is demonstrable in the membrana granulosa of intact follicles, it is concluded that the steroidogenic capacity of the cells, repressed in the preovulatory follicle in vivo, can be expressed upon mechanical removal from the follicle just as steroid synthesis occurs in these cells after normal ovulation. This research was supported in part by a Faculty Research Grant from the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies, and by United States Public Health Service Grants RR-05383-09 and AM-06918-06.     

Histochemical observations on unique rod-like cells in the developing retina of the normal rat

Brain Cell Biology - Our previous immunohistochemical studies using specific anti-opsin antibodies have shown that in the normal postnatal rat retina, opsin-like immunoreactive materials can be...