Hormone-specific responses and biosynthesis of sulfolipids in cell lines derived from mammalian kidney

The established cell lines isolated from mammalian kidney were characterized by its receptor activities against hormones and the ability to synthesize sulfolipids localized in the renal tubule.The level of 3′: 5′-cyclic AMP in JTC-12.P3 (monkey kidney) cells increased in 2 min as much as 2.5–5-fold on activation with 1.0 unit/ml of bovine parathyroid hormone or 1.9 units/ml of synthetic parathyroid hormone (1–34) resulting in intracellular cyclic AMP concentration of more than 40 pmol/mg protein. Prostaglandin E₁ (14 μM) and isopropylnorepinephrine (10 μM) were also found to increase the concentration of cyclic AMP by more than 30- and 9-fold, respectively. Addition in medium of calcitonin, arginine vasopressin, adrenocorticotropic hormone and glucagon caused no significant changes of cyclic AMP level in the cell.In contrast, MDCK, a cell line isolated from canine kidney, reacted to arginine vasopressin, isopropylnorepinephrine and prostaglandin E₁ and only slightly to parathyroid hormone. MDBK cell line derived from bovine kidney or fibroblast cell lines from rat lung and guinea pig kidney did not react to any of the hormones specific to kidney, i.e. arginine vasopressin, calcitonin or parathyroid hormone in the presence of theophylline. However, in the presence of 2 mM isobutylmethylxanthine, small but significant elevation of cellular cyclic AMP levels in response to calcitonin, arginine vasopressin, isopropylnorepinephrine and prostaglandin E₁ was observed.The cell lines JTC-12, MDCK and MDBK, when incubated with H₂³⁵SO₄, incorporated the isotope into sulfolipids assigned as sulfatides and ceramide dihexoside sulfate or in MDCK also into cholesterol sulfate.The results suggested that JTC-12, MDCK and MDBK cell lines are epithelial origin and also JTC-12 and MDCK originated most probably from renal tubular cells of cortex and medulla, respectively.     

Studies in vivo on the effects of parathyroid hormone upon kidney cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate content using rapid tissue fixation by microwave irradiation.

Microwave irradiation is shown to be a useful method for simultaneously killing chicks and fixing tissues. Renal adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase activities were rapidly abolished by microwaving. The increase in chick kidney cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) content produced by intravenous bovine parathyroid hormone (PTH) injection was much greater in microwaved birds than in those killed by cervical dislocation with subsequent tissue fixation in liquid nitrogen. After PTH injection there was a prolonged elevation of renal cyclic AMP content. At the time of maximum response (2 minutes), log. dose-response curves were linear in the dose range 0.1-10 U. The responses to three different bovine PTH preparations were indistinguishable. Arginine vasopressin, arginine vasotocin, salmon calcitonin and prostaglandin E1 did not affect kidney cyclic AMP content within 2 minutes. Because of its specificity and precision, the method is of use for the in vivo bioassay of PTH. Injection of CaCl2 (20 mumoles) 1 minute before, or conjointly with, bovine PTH inhibited the subsequent increase in kidney cyclic AMP content. The synthetic bovine PTH peptide fragments BPTH (1-34) and BPTH (2-34) both increased chick kidney cyclic AMP content. The use of such fragments allows investigation of the structural requirements of PTH for interaction with the systems regulating cyclic AMP metabolism in the kidney in vivo.     

A cell strain cultured from porcine kidney increases cyclic AMP content upon exposure to calcitonin or vasopressin.

Cells originally dispersed from whole juvenile male Hampshire pig kidney and maintained in monolayer culture, increased cyclic AMP content in response to incubation with salmon calcitonin or antidiuretic hormone. Parathyroid hormone and epinephrine did not affect cyclic AMP content. The apparent K_m for arginine vasopressin in the porcine cells was 3.0 nM which is similar to the value obtained in single segments of rabbit kidney tubule. The apparent K_m for salmon calcitonin of 2.7 nM is higher than that reported for the rabbit nephron segments, but comparable to the K_m obtained in rat kidney homogenates. Exposure of the porcine cells to exogenous prostaglandin E₂ did not affect cyclic AMP responses to other hormones. In the cultured porcine kidney cells the pattern of hormone response is similar to that observed in nephron segments prepared from the medullary portion of the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, and these findings suggest that the porcine cells may be related to cells present in the medullary region of the kidney tubule.     

Actions of calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, and prostaglandin E2 on cyclic AMP formation in chicken and rat osteoclasts

The effects of calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, and prostaglandin E2 on cyclic AMP production were studied in osteoclast-rich cultures derived from medullary bone of laying hens and from the long bones of newborn rats. Cyclic AMP was assayed biochemically in replicate cultures, and furthermore, changes in cytoplasmic fluorescence were sought by indirect immunofluorescence with rabbit anti-cyclic AMP and FITC-labelled goat anti-rabbit IgG. Treatment of rat osteoclasts with calcitonin increased cyclic AMP formation as measured biochemically, and this was confirmed by the immunofluorescence method. No such increase took place in chick osteoclasts. Prostaglandin E2 increased cyclic AMP production in both rat and chick osteoclasts as determined by both methods. Since the immunofluorescence method failed to detect a response to parathyroid hormone either in chick or rat osteoclasts, its variable biochemical effects were concluded to be due to actions on contaminating osteoblasts in the cultures. Thus it has been possible with a combined biochemical and immunocytochemical approach to define the cyclic AMP responses to the calcium-regulating hormones in rat and chick osteoclasts. The failure of calcitonin to increase cyclic AMP in chick osteoclasts identifies a need to investigate the nature of calcitonin action on avian osteoclasts, which may contribute to understanding of its actions on mammalian cells.     

Effect of prostaglandin E on the adenyl cyclase-cyclic AMP system and gluconeogenesis in rat renal cortical slices.

Prostaglandin E was found to increase the formation of cyclic acdenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) by renal cortical slices. This increased release of cyclic AMP was not influenced by the absence of Ca2+ in the incubating media. The enhanced production of cyclic AMP was probably mediated by stimulation of membrane-bound adenylate cyclase activity. An increase in adenyl cyclase activity was observed with increasing concentrations of prostaglandin E. Furthermore, prostaglandin E augmented glucose production from alpha-ketoglutarate. This effect on gluconeogenesis was abolished by the removal of Ca2+ from the incubating medium. These effects are similar to those described for parathyroid hormone and suggest that the renal cortex is a prostaglandin-dependent system. Prostaglandin E decreased cyclic AMP production and glucose production (from alpha-ketoglutarate) in response to submaximal doses of parathyroid hormone, suggesting that prostaglandin may be important in modulating the intracelluar action of parathyroid hormone in the kidney cortex.     

Alterations in calcitonin and parathyroid hormone responsiveness of adenylate cyclase in F9 embryonal carcinoma cells treated with retinoic acid and dibutyryl cyclic AMP

Teratocarcinoma cells in culture offer an in vitro system for studying certain aspects of embryonic differentiation. To gain some insight into regulatory systems that might be operative during early development, we have characterized the alterations that occur in the hormonal responsiveness of the F9 embryonal carcinoma cell membrane adenylate cyclase with differentiation. Adenylate cyclase of F9 cells is stimulated in the presence of 10 μM GTP by calcitonin, prostaglandin E₁, (?) isoproterenol, and epinephrine, while parathyroid hormone is only slightly effective. Of these active hormones, calcitonin is the most potent stimulator of cyclic AMP production. Exposure of F9 cells to retinoic acid induces differentiation to parietal endodermal cells. Basal, GTP-, and fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities show a progressive increase with the retinoic acid-induced change to the endodermal phenotype. Differentiation to the endodermal cell type markedly alters the adenylate cyclase response to calcitonin and parathyroid hormone; the cyclase of endodermal cells exhibits a low response to calcitonin while parathyroid hormone dramatically enhances cyclic AMP formation. Treatment of the retinoic acid-generated endodermal cells with dibutyryl cyclic AMP converts these cells to a type exhibiting neural-like morphology. The adenylate cyclase system of these cells is only stimulated by parathyroid hormone, prostaglandin E₁, isoproterenol, and epinephrine. Calcitonin responsiveness has been lost in these cells. These variations in calcitonin and parathyroid hormone responsiveness suggest a possible regulatory role for these hormones during embryonic development. Further more, the results indicate that changes in adenylate cyclase hormonal responsiveness might serve as useful markers during early stages of differentiation.     

Modulation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase by vasopressin and calcitonin in cultured porcine renal LLC-PK1 cells

We have previously demonstrated that a cultured porcine kidney cell, LLC-PK(1), maintains the characteristics of a polar renal epithelial cell in culture, and responds to salmon calcitonin and [arginine]vasopressin by increasing cyclic AMP content. To demonstrate the usefulness of this cell line as a model for the study of the biochemical events distal to cyclic AMP production, the activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase was examined. Intact cells in monolayer demonstrated progressive increases in cyclic AMP content and activation of protein kinase in response to [arginine]vasopressin (2-200nm) and salmon calcitonin (0.03-30nm) with both hormones fully activating the enzyme at a cell cyclic AMP content of 35pmol/mg of protein. Of the total cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity, 80% was found in the 27000g supernatant fraction of sonicated cell material, and this soluble protein kinase could be fully activated by hormone. Conversely, the 27000g pellet contained a significant proportion of cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase and only 20% of total cell cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase; the latter showed little response to hormone. On the basis of DEAE-cellulose chromatography, type II protein kinase was the predominant isoenzyme in both soluble and particulate fractions of the LLC-PK(1) cells and the soluble fractions of rat and guinea-pig renal medulla. Thus, the LLC-PK(1) cell line can serve as a model for hormonal modulation of protein kinase and as a potential source for defining the endogenous substrates for these enzymes.     

Localization of cell groups sensitive to parathyroid hormone and calcitonin in rat skeletal tissue.

The level of cyclic AMP in various fractions of rat skeletal tissue was measured after in vitro or in vivo administration of parathyroid hormone and calcitonin. Incubations of bone fractions prepared from young (5 weeks of age thyroparathyroidectomized rats revealed that both parathyroid hormone and calcitonin increased the cyclic AMP level in fractions of epiphysis, metaphysis and marrow cells. Cyclic AMP accumulation in incubated perisoteum and diaphysis were induced solely by parathyroid hormone. In in vivo experiments the cyclic AMP level in the tibia of the thyroparathyroidectomized rat was increased by infusion of either parathyroid hormone or calcitonin, and the simultaneous administration of each maximally effective dose of the two hormones exhibited an additive effect. Within 2 min, parathyroid hormone infusion caused an elevation of cyclic AMP content in periosteum and metaphysis. Rapid increase of cyclic AMP in the metaphysis was also induced by calcitonin, and the effect of the two hormones on cyclic AMP accumulation in this fraction was additive. Small but significant increase of cyclic AMP in the diaphysis was detected at 5 min after the administration of parathyroid hormone. Calcitonin infusion did not show any consistent effects on periosteum and diaphysis.     

The possible mediation by cyclic AMP of the stimulation of thymocyte proliferation by vasopressin and the inhibition of this mitogenic action by thyrocalcitonin

Lysine vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone), like cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP), rapidly (in less than 1 hour) stimulates the initiation of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and thereby increases the flow of cells into mitosis in rat thymic lymphocyte populations in vitro. This mitogenic action of vasopressin, again like that of cyclic AMP, is potentiated by caffeine, an inhibitor of the intracellular phosphodiesterase which catalyzes the degradation of cyclic AMP. On the other hand, vasopressin's mitogenic action (also like that of cyclic AMP) is blocked by imidazole, an activator of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity. The hormone, thyrocalcitonin (calcitonin) which is known to block the cyclic AMP-mediated mitogenic effect of parathyroid hormone by interfering with cyclic AMP action, also blocks the mitogenic action of vasopressin. The inhibitory effects of imidazole and thyrocalcitonin on vasopressin's mitogenic action are both overcome by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, caffeine. It is concluded from these observations that the mitogenic action of vasopressin is mediated by cyclic AMP.     

Adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase(s) in diploid and SV40 transformed human fibroblasts.

Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases (EC 2.7.1.37; ATP:protein phosphotransferase) in the human diploid fibroblast WI-38 and an SV40-transformant WI-38-VA13-2RA (VA13) have been compared on the basis of their concentrations in cells, isoenzyme composition and susceptibility to hormonal activation. In high population density cultures, total soluble cyclic AMP-dependent kinase activities measured with histone were essentially the same in WI-38 and VA13. Two soluble protein kinase forms separated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose were present in both cell lines. The concentration of cyclic AMP required for half-maximal activation of both enzyme forms was 10-30 nM. Overall kinase stimulation was greater for the Peak I enzymes. Kinase activation induced in the presence of 0.5 M KCl was more rapid and complete for the Peak I enzymes. Under conditions which elevated the concentration of cyclic AMP in WI-38 and VA13 cells the activities of the soluble histone kinases were increased. Incubation of the cells with either of 5.7 micronM prostaglandin E1 or 1 micronM isopropylnorepinephrine induced complete activation of the cyclic AMP-dependent histone kinases within 5 min and maintained the effect for 20 min. When intracellular cyclic AMP levels were raised by prostaglandin E1, activation of glycogen phosphorylase (assayed-AMP) suggested that this enzyme cascade involving cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase(s) was intact and responsive in both cell lines.     

Cortical cell populations from rabbit kidney isolated by free-flow electrophoresis: characterization by measurement of hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase

Free-flow electrophoresis allows the separation of different cell populations from a cell suspension isolated from rabbit kidney cortex after perfusion of the kidneys with a calcium-binder, followed by gentle mechanical treatment. After electrophoretic separation, analysis of the adenylate cyclase activities after stimulation by various hormones allows the precise determination of the origin of the cell populations with different electrophoretic mobilities. Adenylate cyclase from the slow-moving main cell population was only sensitive to parathyroid hormone. These cells had also high alkaline phosphatase content, further demonstrating their proximal origin. The various fast- moving cell populations had adenylate cyclase sensitive to isoproterenol and arginine vasopressin but were less sensitive to parathyroid hormone than the slow-moving cells. Their alkaline phosphatase content was also much lower. This indicates that these fast- moving cell populations originate from both the granulous segment of the distal tubule and from the collecting ducts. The adenylate cyclase activity and the cyclic AMP contents of isolated proximal cells maintained in culture medium were also investigated.     

Renal epithelial fluid secretion and cyst growth: the role of cyclic AMP

Transepithelial fluid secretion has been postulated to account for the accumulation of fluid within hereditary and acquired renal cysts, but no such mechanism has been demonstrated in human kidney epithelium. It is shown here that transepithelial fluid secretion was stimulated by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), forskolin, 8-Br-cyclic AMP, and 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine in polarized monolayers of established renal cell lines (MDCK and rat glomerular epithelial cells) and in monolayer cultures derived from the cyst walls of human autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and from epithelial cells of normal human renal cortex. Treatment with cyclic AMP agonists caused the same cells, when dispersed within a gel matrix of type I collagen (Vitrogen), to proliferate and form spherical fluid-filled monolayered cysts. Our findings suggest that increased intracellular cyclic AMP levels may have a critical role in the formation and expansion of hereditary and acquired renal cysts.     

Somatostatin and alpha 2-adrenergic agonists selectively inhibit vasopressin-induced cyclic AMP accumulation in MDCK cells

The effect of somatostatin and alpha 2-adrenergic agonists on cyclic AMP accumulation was examined in MDCK cells, grown in defined medium. These hormones inhibited vasopressin-induced cyclic AMP formation, without affecting either the basal or the glucagon- and prostaglandin E2-stimulated level. Pretreating the cells with pertussis toxin, or incubating them with MnCl2 at a low concentration reversed the effect of somatostatin and alpha 2-agonists. These results suggest that somatostatin and norepinephrine could selectively modulate the renal effect of vasopressin, via the inhibitory regulatory subunit (Ni) of adenylate cyclase.     

Identification of two strains of MDCK cells which resemble separate nephron tubule segments

Cultured monolayers of dog kidney (MDCK) cells display many features of in vivo epithelia. This work describes the identification of two separate strains of MDCK cell with entirely different properties. Strain I cells form epithelial monolayers which display a high electrical resistance (4.1 k omega . cm-2); the basal short-circuit is small (approx. 0.5 muamp . cm-2) and is stimulated by adrenaline (1 micrometer) prostaglandin E1 (1 micrometer) and arginine vasopressin (2 micrometer) added to the basal bathing solution. Strain II cells form epithelial monolayers of low electrical resistance; the short circuit current is insensitive to adrenaline, prostaglandin E1 and vasopressin. Strain II cells possess measurable activities of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase whereas Strain I cells do not. The specific activity of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase is two-fold greater in Strain II compared with Strain I. The polypeptide composition of the apical membrane differs substantially between the two cell strains as revealed by radio-iodination of external membrane proteins. Monolayer morphology is substantially different between two cell strains. The results are discussed in relation to previous work on MDCK epithelial and the two types of cell monolayer compared with in vivo tubule segments.     

Regulation of Cyclic AMP Accumulation by Peptide Hormone Receptors in Immunocytochemically: Defined Astroglial Cells

Primary cultures of neonatal murine brain have been reported to express multiple receptors that regulate adenylate cyclase activity. Since for the most part these results were obtained with mixed cell cultures, it has been difficult to define receptor profiles for specific cell types. With this concern in mind a series of studies has been initiated designed to identify specific receptors present on highly purified, immunocytochemically defined astroglia derived from the cerebral cortices of neonatal rats. In this study the capacity of a variety of peptide hormones to regulate cyclic AMP metabolism in these cells was examined. Fibroblasts derived from the meninges represent a predictable source of contamination in primary CNS culture. Thus, to assign more clearly specific receptors to the astroglial cell population, receptor-mediated regulation of cyclic AMP accumulation was also examined in fibroblasts. Cyclic AMP accumulation in astroglia was stimulated by catecholamines (acting at beta 1-adrenergic receptors), prostaglandin E1, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, and adrenocorticotropin. Bombesin, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, neurotensin, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, somatostatin, secretin, and vasopressin did not significantly increase cyclic AMP levels in these cultures. Catecholamines, acting at alpha 2-adrenergic receptors, and somatostatin inhibited agonist-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation. In meningeal cell cultures catecholamines (acting at beta 2- and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors) and prostaglandin E1 regulated cyclic AMP levels. However, vasoactive intestinal peptide did not stimulate and somatostatin did not inhibit cyclic AMP accumulation in these cells.     

Primary rabbit kidney proximal tubule cell cultures maintain differentiated functions when cultured in a hormonally defined serum-free medium

Summary A primary rabbit kidney epithelial cell culture system has been developed which retains differentiated functions of the renal proximal tubule. In addition, the cells have a distinctive metabolism and spectrum of hormone responses. The primary cell were observed to retain in vitro a Na⁺-dependent sugar transport system (distinctive of the proximal segment of the nephron) and a Na⁺-dependent phosphate transport system. Both of these transport processes are localized on the apical membrane of proximal tubule cells in vivo. In addition, probenicid-sensitivep-aminohippurate (PAH) uptake was observed in basolateral membranes of the primary tubule cells, and the PAH uptake by these vesicles occurred at a rate that was very similar to that observed with membranes derived from the original tissue. Several other characteristics of the primary cells were examined, including hormone-sensitive cyclic AMP production and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) activity. Like the cells in vivo, the primary proximal tubule cells were observed to produce significant cyclic AMP in response to parathyroid hormone, but not in response to arginine vasopressin or salmon calcitonin. Significant PEPCK acivity was observed in the particulate fraction derived from a homogenate of primary rabbit kidney proximal tubule cells. This paper was presented at a Symposium on the Physiology and Toxicology of the Kidney In Vitro co-sponsored by The Society of Toxicology (SOT) and the Tissue Culture Association held at the 27th annual meeting of the SOT in Dallas, Texas in 1988. This work was supported by Grant 9 RO1 DK40286-07 from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, and NIH Research Career Development Award 1 K04 CA 0088-01 to M.T.     

Inhibition of adenylate cyclase by adenosine analogues in preparations of broken and intact human platelets. Evidence for the unidirectional control of platelet function by cyclic AMP.

Whereas adenosine itself exerted independent stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the adenylate cyclase activity of a platelet particulate fraction at low and high concentrations respectively, 2-substituted and N6-monosubstituted adenosines had stimulatory but greatly decreased inhibitory effects. Deoxyadenosines, on the other hand, had enhanced inhibitory but no stimulatory effects. The most potent inhibitors found were, in order of increasing activity, 9-(tetrahydro-2-furyl)adenine (SQ 22536), 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine and 2'-deoxyadenosine 3'-monophosphate. Kinetic studies on prostaglandin E1-activated adenylate cyclase showed that the inhibition caused by either 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine or compound SQ 22536 was non-competitive with MgATP and that the former compound, at least, showed negative co-operativity; 50% inhibition was observed with 4 micron-2',5'-dideoxyadenosine or 13 micron-SQ 22536. These two compounds also inhibited both the basal and prostaglandin E1-activated adenylate cyclase activities of intact platelets, when these were measured as the increases in cyclic [3H]AMP in platelets that had been labelled with [3H]adenine and were then incubated briefly with papaverine or papaverine and prostaglandin E1. Both compounds, but particularly 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, markedly decreased the inhibition by prostaglandin E1 of platelet aggregation induced by ADP or [arginine]vasopressin as well as the associated increases in platelet cyclic AMP, so providing further evidence that the effects of prostaglandin E1 on platelet aggregation are mediated by cyclic AMP. 2'-Deoxyadenosine 3'-monophosphate did not affect the inhibition of aggregation by prostaglandin E1, suggesting that the site of action of deoxyadenosine derivatives on adenylate cyclase is intracellular. Neither 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine nor compound SQ 22536 alone induced platelet aggregation. Moreover, neither compound potentiated platelet aggregation or the platelet release reaction when suboptimal concentrations of ADP, [arginine]vasopressin, collagen or arachidonate were added to heparinized or citrated platelet-rich plasma in the absence of prostaglandin E1. These results show that cyclic AMP plays no significant role in the responses of platelets to aggregating agents in the absence of compounds that increase the platelet cyclic AMP concentration above the resting value.     

Prostaglandin stimulation of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate accumulation in cultured chondrocytes in the presence or absence of parathyroid hormone

The effect of prostaglandin analogues on the cyclic AMP level in cultured chondrocytes were examined. Prostaglandin E1 at 0.4 to 30 microM, increased the intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP in chondrocytes. Its effect was rapid, being evident within 1 min and reaching a maximum in 10 to 20 min. The maximum level was sustained until 30 min after its addition and then decreased gradually. Prostaglandin D2 and E2 also increased the cyclic AMP level in chondrocytes, but they had less effect than prostaglandin E1. Prostaglandin A1 had no effect on the nucleotide level in chondrocytes, although they markedly increased the level in fibroblasts. The time course of stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation in chondrocytes by prostaglandin E1, D2 or E2 was quite different from that by parathyroid hormone (PTH): the effect of prostaglandin was slower and more sustained than that of PTH. PTH potentiated the effect of prostaglandin E1, E2, or D2 on the cyclic AMP level in chondrocytes and that the combined effects of prostaglandin and PTH were more than additive. Addition of an inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase with prostaglandin, PTH or both produced a synergistic effect on the accumulation of cyclic AMP in the chondrocytes. These findings suggest that prostaglandin E1, E2, and D2 increase the synthesis of cyclic AMP and that the combined effect of the prostaglandins and PTH on the cyclic AMP level in chondrocytes is partly attributed to the synergistic synthesis of cyclic AMP in the cells.     

Calcitonin-responsive clonal cell line from porcine kidney (PK(15)) in serum-free medium

PK(15), a homogeneous epithelial cell line from porcine kidney which was originally established through single cell cloning from PK-2a, was found to respond to [Asu1,7]eel calcitonin with an increase in adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) content, but do not respond to parathyroid hormone or arginine vasopressin. These cells were able to grow in a synthetic medium (a 1:1 mixture of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's MEM and Ham's F12 medium) without any supplementary factor. The medium supplemented with selenous acid, transferrin, and insulin permitted a growth rate equivalent to those in serum containing medium. When grown in the serum-free defined medium, these cells showed an increase in cAMP content in response to [Asu1,7]eel calcitonin to approximately the same degree as in the serum containing medium (10% fetal calf serum). Our present study first indicates that PK(15) cells are capable of growing in the serum-free defined medium retaining the calcitonin responsiveness of the original cells.     

Characterization of subclones of Madin-Darby canine kidney renal epithelial cell line

Heterogeneity in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells has been reported, however, its details have not been well described. In the present study, we show that subclones obtained from a MDCK cell line could be divided into two morphologically and biochemically distinct cell types with different hormonal responsiveness. Clones of the first type, motile clones, which had extended and flattened cytoplasm, were devoid of carbonic anhydrase activity. Clones of the second type, nonmotile clones, formed colonies of cuboidal cells and showed carbonic anhydrase activity. Motile clones synthesized cAMP in response to arginine vasopressin, prostaglandin E1, and isoproterenol but not glucagon. In contrast, nonmotile clones responded to all of these hormones. These findings suggest MDCK cells have multiple cellular origins. The motile clones have characteristics similar to the principal cells of the collecting system, whereas the nonmotile clones may be derived from the thick ascending limb or the intercalated cell. Our studies also demonstrate a significant influence of culture condition on MDCK cellular behavior (carbonic anhydrase activity, Na+/K+-ATPase activity and vasopressin responsiveness). Therefore, physiologic and biochemical experiments with MDCK cells must be interpreted with reservations about cellular heterogeneity as well as differences induced by culture conditions.