Atrial natriuretic factor increases cyclic GMP and inhibits cyclic AMP in rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells in culture

The present study was undertaken to determine whether human atrial natriuretic factor (hANF) produces guanosine-3', 5'-monophosphate (cGMP) and alters arginine vasopressin (AVP)- and forskolin (F)- induced adenosine-3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) production in the cultured rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells. hANF increased cellular cGMP levels in a dose dependent manner. AVP and F, however, did not affect cGMP production. hANF significantly inhibited AVP- and F-stimulated cAMP levels, but hANF by itself did not affect cellular cAMP production. Since F activates adenylate cyclase at a step of catalytic unit and the cellular action of AVP to activate adenylate cyclase is mediated through receptor-catalytic units, the present results indicate that hANF may directly inhibit the AVP- and F-stimulated adenylate cyclase in renal papillary collecting tubules.     

Augmentation of forskolin-induced cAMP production by ouabain in rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells in culture

The effect of extracellular calcium (Ca2+) on the cellular action of forskolin was studied using a Na+, K(+)-ATPase inhibitor ouabain in rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells in culture. Forskolin-induced cAMP production was enhanced by the pretreatment of cells with ouabain, providing that a dose-dependent curve with forskolin shifted to the left. The enhancement by ouabain of cellular cAMP production in response to forskolin was totally blunted by cotreatment with cobalt, verapamil, or Ca2(+)-free medium containing 1 mM EGTA. In addition, two dissimilar antagonists of calmodulin, namely trifluoperazine and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W - 7), attenuated the ouabain's effect on cAMP production in response to forskolin. These results therefore indicate that ouabain enhances the activation of adenylate cyclase by forskolin, mediated through cellular free Ca2+, in renal papillary collecting tubule cells, and that extracellular Ca2+ is an important source for cellular Ca2+ mobilization by ouabain.     

Bradykinin-stimulated changes in inositol phosphate mass in renal papillary collecting tubule cells

The effect of bradykinin on changes in the chemical levels of myo-inositol polyphosphates in renal papillary collecting tubules was investigated. Myo-inositol phosphate mass was determined by means of an enzymatic, fluorometric assay. Bradykinin induced increases in myo-inositol mono-, bis-, and trisphosphate which were both time and concentration dependent. Furthermore, the magnitude of the chemical levels of myo-inositol monophosphate formed were unlikely to be accounted for solely by the formation and degradation of myo-inositol trisphosphate. These observations are consistent with the concomitant hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate. This study also confirms, in freshly isolated renal tubules, observations regarding bradykinin-induced phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate hydrolysis made previously in radiolabeled cultures.     

Augmentation of vasopressin-induced cAMP production by high potassium in rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells in culture.

The effect of high potassium, 60 mM KCl, on the cellular action of arginine vasopressin (AVP) was studied in rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells in culture. In the presence of 0.5 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine AVP-induced cAMP production was enhanced by pretreatment of the cells with 60 mM KCl. Such an enhancement was not found in cells pretreated with Ca(2+)-free medium containing 1 mM EGTA or in Na(+)-free medium, which rather reduced AVP-induced cAMP production. Similar results were obtained with the blockers of cellular Ca2+ uptake, 1 x 10(-4) M verapamil and 1 x 10(-5) M nifedipine. The 60 mM KCl elevated the cellular sodium concentration ([Na+]i) from 15.1 to 18.8 mM, cellular pH (pHi) from 7.18 to 7.32, and basal cellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). These results indicate that high potassium promptly augments AVP-induced cAMP production in renal papillary collecting tubule cells. This effect is based on the alkalinized pHi and the increased [Ca2+]i.     

Interrelationships among prostaglandins, vasopressin and cAMP in renal papillary collecting tubule cells in culture

To determine the influence of prostaglandins on cAMP metabolism in renal papillary collecting tubule (RPCT) cells, intracellular cAMP levels were measured after incubating cells with prostaglandins (PGs) alone or in combination with arginine vasopressin (AVP). PGE1, PGE2 and PGI2, but not PGD2 or PGF2 alpha, increased intracellular cAMP concentrations. At maximal concentrations (10(-5) M) the effects of PGE2 plus PGI2 (or PGE1), but not of PGI2 plus PGE1, were additive suggesting that at least two different PG receptors may be present in RPCT cell populations. Bradykinin treatment of RPCT cells caused an accumulation of intracellular cAMP which was blocked by aspirin and was quantitatively similar to that observed with 10(-5) M PGE2. PGs, when tested at concentrations (e.g. 10(-9) M) which had no independent effect on intracellular cAMP levels, did not inhibit the AVP-induced accumulation of intracellular cAMP in RPCT cells. These results indicate that PGs do not block AVP-induced accumulation of intracellular cAMP in RPCT cells at concentrations of PGs which have been shown to inhibit the hydroosmotic effect of AVP on perfused collecting tubule segments. However, at higher concentrations of PGs (e.g. 10(-5) M), the effects of AVP plus PGE1, PGE2, PGI2 or bradykinin on intracellular cAMP levels were not additive. Thus, under certain conditions, there is an interaction between PGs and AVP at the level of cAMP metabolism in RPCT cells.     

Vasopressin does not hydrolyze polyphosphoinositides in rabbit papillary collecting tubule cells

Changes in phosphatidylinositol metabolism are suggested to be involved in the mechanism of action of many membrane active hormones. We studied the effect of vasopressin on polyphosphoinositide metabolism in rabbit papillary collecting tubule cells to assess if the hydrolysis of these phospholipids is involved in transmembrane signaling. Rabbit papillary collecting tubule cells grown in monolayers for 5 days were labeled to constant specific activity with [3H]inositol. The temporal changes in [3H]inositol-labeled phospholipids were assessed in response to vasopressin. Similarly, water-soluble inositides were monitored after separation by ion exchange chromatography. Intracellular Ca2+ was monitored by use of the fluorescent indicator dye, quin2. Vasopressin (10(-7) M) did not increase the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides over a 5 min period when compared with controls. Similarly, there was no increase in water-soluble phosphoinositols during the same interval. Pretreating the cells with LiCl (10 mM) did not produce any increase in inositol 1-phosphate when stimulated with vasopressin but did in response to bradykinin. Finally, vasopressin did not increase cytosolic Ca2+ and did not increase the release of prostaglandin E2 into the media under our experimental conditions. We conclude that vasopressin does not stimulate prostaglandin E2 in rabbit papillary collecting tubule cells, does not initiate hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides and does not increase cytosolic Ca2+. Thus these cells lack V1 receptor coupling mechanisms.     

Vasopressin-induced calcium increases in smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats

Cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations [( Ca2+]i) were measured in smooth muscle cells (SMC) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and age and sex matched Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Resting levels of [Ca2+]i were 114 +/- 6 nM and 116 +/- 5 nM in SMC from WKY and SHR, respectively. Angiotensin II (AII) induced a dose-dependent large increases in [Ca2+]i in SMC. There were no significant differences in resting or AII-stimulated levels of [Ca2+]i when SMC from WKY and SHR were compared. Arg-vasopressin (AVP) caused a similar but smaller [Ca2+]i increase than AII in SMC. AVP caused larger [Ca2+]i increases in SMC from SHR than in SMC from WKY. Although concentrations of AVP higher than those ordinarily detected in plasma were necessary to obtain different responses between SHR and WKY, these differences may be related to the pathogenesis of hypertension.     

Agonist-induced oscillations in cytoplasmic free calcium concentration in single rat hepatocytes

The effects of the alpha 1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine and the peptide hormones angiotensin II and arg8-vasopressin on cytoplasmic free calcium concentration were investigated in single rat hepatocytes microinjected with the photoprotein aequorin. Hepatocytes responded to physiological concentrations of the glycogenolytic agonists with a series of repetitive Ca transients. In each transient free Ca rose in 2-3s to above 600 nM from a resting level of 200 nM. Transient duration depended on the agonist and ranged from approximately 7s for phenylephrine to approximately 15s for angiotensin. Transient frequency, but not shape or size, depended on agonist concentration. The period ranged from less than 20s to several minutes. We suggest that the frequency of the Ca transients is the principal determinant of the amplitude of the cellular response to calcium-mobilizing agonists.     

Lanthanum increases the rat thymocyte cytoplasmic free calcium concentration by enhancing calcium influx

In the present study, I have examined the effect of lanthanum (La3+) on cytoplasmic free calcium concentration in isolated rat thymocytes employing the quin2 technique. As with its effect on 15Ca accumulation in rat thymocytes (Segal, J. and Ingbar, S.H. (1984) Endocrinology, 115, 160-166), La3+ produced a concentration-related increase in thymocyte cytoplasmic free calcium concentration. This effect of La3+ was very prompt in onset, evident within about 30 s from the time of addition of La3+. The lowest effective concentration of La3+ was 6 microM (+22.7% above control), and it increased progressively to reach maximal values at 25 microM (+100% above control). La3+ added to quin2-loaded thymocytes suspended in a calcium-free medium was without effect. In addition, La3+ had no significant effect on 45Ca efflux, and La3+ did not inhibit calcium-ATPase activity in the rat thymocytes. These results demonstrate that in rat thymocytes La3+ increases cytoplasmic free calcium concentration by increasing the extracellular calcium influx into the cell rather than the release of calcium from an intracellular pool.     

Activin A increases cytosolic free calcium concentration in rat pituitary somatotropes.

The effect of activin A on the cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in normal rat pituitary cells was examined using a calcium sensitive fluorescent dye, indo 1 AM, and a digital imaging fluorescent microscope system. The cells showing an increase in [Ca2+]i in response to activin A were then characterized by comparison with cells responding to growth hormone releasing hormone (GRH), thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) in monolayer cultures of normal rat pituitary cells. Activin A increased [Ca2+]i in some cells in a mixed population of normal rat pituitary cells. The cells that responded to activin A also responded to GRH. Most of these cells were not affected by other tropic hormones (CRH, TRH, and GnRH), but a few cells responded to both GRH and TRH. None of the activin A-responding cells responded to CRH or GnRH, and none of the CRH- or GnRH-responding cells responded to activin A. In a preparation of somatotropes purified 80-90% by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, activin A increased [Ca2+]i in 30% of the cells that shows a [Ca2+]i-response to GRH. These findings suggest direct involvement of somatotropes in activin A-induced biological events in the rat pituitary gland.     

Vanadate increases cytosolic free calcium in rat aortic smooth muscle cells

Although several studies have shown that vanadate evokes vasoconstriction whether it elevates cytosolic free calcium, [Ca²⁺]_i, in vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells has not been investigated. The present study shows that acute additions of low concentrations of vanadate (10–200) to cultured aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMC) produced a rapid and a concentrationdependent increase in [Ca²⁺]_i with an EC₅₀ (mean ± SEM) value of 42 ± 11 μM. Inclusion of vanadate (200 μM) led to a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the peak [Ca²⁺]_i level to 190 ± 23 nM from a basal level of 102 ± 2 nM. At concentrations > 200 μM, vanadate caused quenching of fura-2 fluorescence. For example, addition of 1 mM vanadate led to an apparent decrease in fluorescence by about 50 % (due to a quenching effect), followed by a transient rise. H₂O₂, which is used in the preparation of peroxide forms of vanadate, pervanadate (PV), also produced a rise in [Ca²⁺]_i. These data suggest that vanadate promotes vascular tone by elevating [Ca²⁺]_i in ASMC. However, [Ca²⁺]_i measurements made with higher concentrations of vanadate and PV, using the fura-2 method, must be interpreted with caution.     

Islet activating protein inhibits kinin-stimulated inositol phosphate production, calcium mobilization, and prostaglandin E2 synthesis in renal papillary collecting tubule cells independent of cyclic AMP

The effects of islet-activating protein (pertussis toxin) on bradykinin-mediated inositol trisphosphate labeling, prostaglandin E2 production, and calcium mobilization in rabbit renal papillary collecting tubule cells were assessed. Islet-activating protein induced time and concentration-dependent decreases in bradykinin-stimulated prostaglandin E2 production. Islet-activating protein induced increases in basal cyclic AMP levels but not in arginine vasopressin-stimulated cAMP. This effect could be inhibited by prior incubation with 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase. Although cAMP and cAMP analogues were able to inhibit both basal and bradykinin-stimulated prostaglandin E2 formation, the inhibitory effects of islet-activating protein on prostaglandin E2 formation and inositol trisphosphate labeling were observed in the presence of dideoxyadenosine. Moreover, islet-activating protein lowered both the basal and kinin-stimulated cytosolic calcium concentration as assessed by Quin 2 fluorescence. Finally, incubation of a membrane fraction of papillary cells with islet-activating protein resulted in the ADP-ribosylation of a 39/41-kDa doublet. These data support the role of a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein in bradykinin-mediated signal transduction in rabbit papillary collecting tubule cells.     

Bradykinin-induced changes in myo-inositol 1,2-(cyclic)phosphate in rabbit papillary collecting tubule cells

Rabbit renal papillary collecting tubule cells were harvested and grown in primary cultures. When labeled with myo-[2-3H]inositol and extracted under neutral conditions, a metabolite undetected under acidic extraction was observed on resolution by anion-exchange chromatography and which eluted under similar conditions with authentic DL-myo-inositol 1,2-(cyclic)phosphate; the mass spectrum of its pentakis(trimethylsilyl) derivative contains an identical ratio of selected ion fragments to the authentic standard. Bradykinin, demonstrated previously to increase labeling of free inositol polyphosphates, increases labeling of inositol 1,2 cyclic phosphate but over a time course subsequent to the formation of inositol trisphosphate. These observations are consistent with the model that bradykinin induces hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate which precedes hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol in renal papillary collecting tubule cells.     

Forskolin increases osmotic water permeability of rabbit cortical collecting tubule

Summary Forskolin is a unique diterpene that may directly activate the catalytic subunit of adenylate cyclase. We therefore examined the effect of 50 m forskohn on osmotic water permeability in rabbit cortical collecting tubules perfusedin vitro. Forskolin increased net volume flux (J _v , from 0.30 to 1.22 nl/mm/min,P<0.02) in all tubules. The hydro-osmotic effect of forskolin was similar with respect to magnitude and time course to that produced by a maximal dose (250 U/ml) of arginine vasopressin. An additive effect onJ _v andL _p was not observed when maximal concentrations of forskolin and arginine vasopressin were given simultaneously. The compound d(CH₂)₅Tyr(Et) VAVP, which noncompetitively inhibits the vasopressin receptor, significantly reduced collecting tubular hydro-osmotic response to arginine vasopressin. In contrast, the hydro-osmotic response to forskolin was maintained in the presence of d(CH₂)₅ Tyr(Et)VAVP. However, the hydro-osmotic response to forskolin could be inhibited by 1.0 m guanine 5-(,-imido) triphosphate (GppNHp) and by the calmodulin inhibitor N-(6-amenohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7). These results demonstrate that forskolin exerts an hydro-osmotic effect in the mammalian nephron which occurs independent of the vasopressin receptor. Guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins may modulate the osmotic water permeability effect of forskolin. Finally, calmodulin is required for full expression of the effect of forskolin to increase osmotic water flux.     

Characterization of an in vitro system of human renal papillary collecting duct cells

Summary We have developed an in vitro model of human papillary collecting duct cells isolated from cadaver kidneys using methods similar to those we previously reported for the isolation of human proximal tubule cells. To date we have isolated papillary collecting duct cells from 100 normal human kidneys. Papillae were dissected and digested in Cellgro containing 400 U/ml collagenase. Cells were plated on fibronectin-coated culture flasks at a density of 10⁴ live cells/ml in Cellgro supplemented with insulin and 10% fetal bovine serum. Confluent monolayers, which were able to withstand 600 mOsm for 8 h, were obtained within 10 to 15 d. Cells of primary isolates and first passages exhibited epithelial cell ultrastructure including cell junctions, microvilli, and cilia. A dark-brown reaction product was observed in these cells when stained by the immunoperoxidase method with peroxidase-labeled peanut lectin (Arachis hypogaea), which binds specifically to human distal tubule and collecting duct cells. These cells were negative for Factor-VIII (a marker for endothelial cells) and γ-glutamyltransferase (a marker for proximal tubule cells). High activities of the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase and arginine vasopressin-stimulated cAMP production in these cells are consistent with a distal nephron origin. The results indicate that human collecting duct cells can be isolated and cultured to provide an in vitro system to probe pathogenetic mechanisms of potential nephrotoxins. Part of this work was presented at a Symposium of the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, April 4–5, 1989, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21205. This work was supported in part by grants R01-AI24179, PO1-A804393 for the Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and by a grant from the National Kidney Foundation, Baltimore, MD affiliate.     

Staphylococcal serine proteinase increases intracellular free calcium concentration in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Staphylococcal serine proteinase (SSP) can influence various functions of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) including chemotaxis and phagocytosis. Since the rise in intracellular free calcium concentration is an important step in signal transduction leading to phagocyte activation, we tested the ability of SSP to increase the intracellular free calcium concentration in human PMNL using the fluorescent calcium indicator Fura-2AM. PMNL isolated from healthy donors responded to SSP in the concentration range of 10 to 100 µg/ml. The highest Ca²⁺ rise (104 ± 47 nM) was observed for 10 µg/ml SSP. It was mainly dependent (81 ± 11%) on extracellular calcium influx, however, SSP mobilized 68 ± 7% of Ca²⁺ from intracellular calcium stores. Boiling of SSP or preincubation with phenylmethylsulphonylfluoride (an serine proteinase inhibitor) did not change its ability to increase intracellular free calcium concentration in PMNL. It suggests that active center of SSP is not responsible for Ca²⁺ mobilization. Finally, PMNL responded to each of three consecutive stimulations with SSP independently of the presence of high or low extracellular Ca² concentration. This may be an additional mechanism responsible for activation of human PMNL and degradation of alveolar walls during the staphylococcal infection in the lower airways.     

Rapid increases in cytosolic free calcium in response to muscarinic stimulation of rat parotid acinar cells

Carbachol-evoked rises in [Ca2+]i were measured in fura-2-loaded, rat parotid acinar cells. In suspensions of dissociated cells examined by dual wavelength excitation fluorimetry, a maximally effective concentration of carbachol produced a measured peak [Ca2+]i of 780 +/- 60 nM followed by a maintained elevation in the presence of 1 mM external Ca2+, and a peak of 630 +/- 95 nM followed by a return to resting values in the absence of external Ca2+. Stopped-flow, single wavelength fluorimetry was used to resolve the rising phase of the response. There was a dose-dependent lag of 70-220 ms before [Ca2+]i started to increase, and [Ca2+]i was maximal by 800-900 ms. These times were similar in the presence or absence of external Ca2+, although the initial rate of rise was faster in the presence of external Ca2+. These kinetics are consistent with a biochemical event, possibly phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate hydrolysis, mediating both internal release and Ca2+ entry, with a component of the initial rise being due to Ca2+ entry.