Evidence for intrarenal kallikrein storage during chromate-induced acute renal failure in rat.

During the course of chromate-induced acute renal failure (ARF), urinary kallikrein excretion (UKE), a serine protease of distal tubule origin in the normal animal was decreased but tissue kallikrein concentration (TK) was increased, suggesting intracellular accumulation. Severe morphological lesions were observed in proximal tubular cells which showed brush border damage, numerous vesicles, necrosis and liquefaction of cytoplasmic material. Less marked changes were also present in distal tubules: large apical vacuoles and swollen mitochondria. Compared to normal rats, using the peroxidase-anti-peroxidase (PAP) method for light microscopy, greater kallikrein immunoreactivity was detected along the apical pole in distal tubules, on the membrane and in the cytoplasm as well as in the glomerulus. By immunoelectron microscopy, kallikrein was found in the connecting apical area, along the luminal, basolateral and basement membranes, in some vesicles, in Golgi apparatus and on ribosomes bound to endoplasmic reticulum. In the glomerulus, kallikrein was observed along the luminal surface of endothelial cell. After 14 days a progressive recovery of renal function, tissue morphology and UKE towards control values was observed. The presence of immunoreactive kallikrein in the glomerulus observed only during ARF confirmed the previous demonstration of kallikrein mRNA in the glomerulus. The cellular accumulation results more likely from a dysfunction of a general secretory mechanism due to cell membrane alteration than from a specific inhibition of kallikrein production and secretion.     

Inverse relationship between renal and urinary kallikrein during chromate-induced acute renal failure in rat: urinary kallikrein excretion as a possible recovery index

Acute renal failure (ARF) was induced in rat following a single injection of sodium chromate. A transient polyuria and a 10-fold decrease in glomerular filtration rate was immediately observed after sodium chromate administration. Urinary sodium and potassium excretion were reduced within 24 h and remained decreased for 8 to 10 days. Progressive recovery of normal renal functions, mainly electrolyte excretion and filtration rate was observed 12 days after sodium chromate administration. Urinary kallikrein excretion (UKE) was decreased only 48 h after sodium chromate administration. However the proportion of the active and inactive form excreted was unchanged. UKE remained also at a reduced level for 8 to 10 days and returned progressively to base-line level. The kallikrein content in the tissue was significantly increased immediately after sodium chromate administration and recovered normal values 12 days later. The increase of kallikrein in the tissue is more likely unspecific due to impaired protein transport than a specific stimulation of renal kallikrein biosynthesis. The decreased UKE may indicate a distal tubular reversible dysfunction in this ARF model. These reductions in electrolyte excretion, glomerular filtration and UKE were associated with selective morphological lesions. Whereas the glomeruli were intact, important damages affected proximal tubule cells which appeared necrotic and showed presence of vacuoles, liquefaction of cytoplasmic material and lost of microvilli. Less marked lesions were however observed in distal tubules, particularly large vacuoles were present at the apical poles of the tubule cells, the sites of kallikrein secretion. These distal damages may be involved in the increase of tissue concentration and in the decrease of UKE.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Renal immunolocalization of kallikrein in cisplatin nephrotoxicity in rats

Summary Treatment of rats with cisplatin (4 mg kg^-1body wt i.p. injection) induced variations of urinary kallikrein excretion (UKE). Three phases were observed: a transient increase of UKE one day after injection, followed by a decrease up to 10 days suggesting an altered biosynthesis and a recovery phase with return to normal control values, 21 days after injection. Early morphological lesions were observed in proximal tubule cells on day 1; severe changes and tubular necrosis were observed in the following days. Less marked changes were also present in distal tubules but the vacuolated and desquamated cells appeared in the lumen of the tubules. By immunocytochemical methods, kallikrein was observed in connecting tubule cells, but also in some proximal tubule cells and along the endothelial side of the glomerular basement membrane and urinary space of glomeruli. An intense labelling was present in desquamated epithelial cells in dilated lumen of tubules. This study provides evidence of the presence of immunoreactive kallikrein in the glomerulus, already reported during acute failure, and confirms the use of urinary kallikrein measurements as a useful non-invasive index to assess a possible nephrotoxic effect at the distal level.     

Membrane traffic after inhibition of endocytosis in renal proximal tubules

This study was performed to examine quantitatively the cellular organelles involved in membrane recycling after inhibition of luminal endocytosis in renal proximal tubules. Paraffin oil was microinfused into rat renal proximal convoluted tubules to prevent luminal endocytosis. After 1-2 hr the kidneys were fixed by perfusion and prepared for electron microscopy. Segment 1 proximal tubules infused with paraffin oil and control tubules from the same kidney were studied. In addition we examined proximal tubules from kidneys fixed by immersion 30 sec after removal of the kidney. In the oil-infused tubules the large endocytic vacuoles (greater than 0.5 micron) disappeared, the amount of small endocytic vacuoles (less than 0.5 micron) was reduced to about 10%, and the amount of dense apical tubules was significantly increased. The dense apical tubules were very seldom seen connected to the apical plasma membrane in controls but this was occasionally observed in tubules fixed by immersion and relatively often in oil-infused tubules. An ultrastructural morphometric analysis substantiated and extended the qualitative observations and provided quantitative estimates of volumes and surface areas for large endocytic vacuoles, lysosomes, mitochondria, small endocytic vacuoles, and dense apical tubules in control and experimental tubules. The results strongly support the suggestion that the dense apical tubules located in the apical cytoplasm represent the vehicle for the recycling of membrane from endocytic vacuoles back to the plasma membrane, and show that in renal proximal tubule cells small and large endocytic vacuoles are transformed into dense apical tubules when endocytosis is stopped.     

Glomeruli and renal tubules are restricted to the cranial kidney of the adult estuarine Sphoeroides testudineus

The kidney of the pufferfish Sphoeroides testudineus , an abundant tropical euryhaline estuarine species of the western Atlantic Ocean found in southern Brazil (in salinities ranging from 0 to 34) has a large and laterally spread cranial red portion, and a very thin and pale caudal portion. When studied under light and transmission electron microscopy, the cranial kidney displayed glomeruli and renal tubules surrounded by haematopoietic tissue. These tubules appeared to drain into a single large convoluted collecting duct with a wide lumen and thick pseudostratified epithelium, the mesonephric duct, which constituted the sole structure of the caudal kidney. Apical microvillae were viewed in the renal tubules, as well as in the mesonephric duct. Basal mitochondria and membrane infoldings were observed in the renal tubules. Abundant more basally‐located mitochondria and electron‐dense vesicles, mainly in the apical cytoplasm, were observed along the entire length of the mesonephric duct. Aposomes (blebs) were frequently observed in the mesonephric duct, both by light‐ and electron‐microscopy. This euryhaline estuarine pufferfish has thus been revealed to possess a rare type of kidney.     

Structure of the kidney in the crab-eating frog, Rana cancrivora

The structure of the nephron in the ranid frog, Rana cancrivora, was studied by light and electron microscopy. This frog is the only amphibian species to live in mangrove swamps of very high salinity. The nephron consists of the following parts: renal corpuscle, ciliated neck segment, proximal tubule, ciliated intermediate segment, distal tubule, connecting tubule, and collecting duct. The distal tubule is located in the ventromedial region of the kidney, and the other tubules are situated in the dorsolateral region. Renal corpuscles are found between the two regions. Some renal corpuscles have a wide Bowman's space because of the small glomerulus within them. The proximal tubules are composed of columnar cells with a dense luminal brush border of long microvilli and numerous apical vesicles and vacuoles. The initial part of the distal tubule consists of heavily interdigitated cells, characterized by a very regular palisade arrangement of mitochondria. In the terminal part of the distal tubule, shorter mitochondria of the infolding cells are situated irregularly around the nucleus. The connecting tubule consists of principal cells and canaliculus cells. The collecting duct consists of columnar or cuboidal cells; cytoplasmic organelles are relatively sparse. The canaliculus cells are intercalated between principal cells from the terminal distal tubule to the proximal part of the collecting duct. Our findings indicate that the kidney of R. cancrivora is structurally similar to kidneys of other amphibians. These findings are discussed with regard to probable correlations between ultrastructure and function in R. cancrivora.     

Nephron structure and immunohistochemical localization of ion pumps and aquaporins in the kidney of frogs inhabiting different environments

Amphibians inhabit areas ranging from completely aqueous to terrestrial environments and move between water and land. The kidneys of all anurans are similar at the gross morphological level: the structure of their nephrons is related to habitat. According to the observation by light and electron microscopy, the cells that make up the nephron differ among species. Immunohistochemical studies using antibodies to various ATPases showed a significant species difference depending on habitat. The immunoreactivity for Na+,K(+)-ATPase was low in the proximal tubules but high in the basolateral membranes of early distal tubules to collecting ducts in all species. In the proximal tubule, apical membranes of the cells were slightly immunoreactive to H(+)-ATPase antibody in aquatic species. In the connecting tubule and the collecting duct, the apical membrane of intercalated cells was immunoreactive in all species. In aquatic species, H+,K(+)-ATPase immunoreactivity was observed in cell along the proximal, distal tubule to the collecting duct. However, H+,K(+)-ATPase was present along the intercalated cells of the distal segments from early distal to collecting tubules in terrestrial and semi-aquatic species. In the renal corpuscle, the neck segment and the intermediate segment, immunoreactivities to ion pumps were not observed in any of the species examined. Taking together our observations, we conclude that in the aquatic species, a large volume of plasma must be filtered in a large glomerulus and the ultrafiltrate components are reabsorbed along a large and long proximal segment of the nephron. Control of tubular transport may be poorly developed when a small short distal segment of the nephron is observed. On the contrary, terrestrial species have a long and well-developed distal segment and regulation mechanisms of tubular transport may have evolved in these segments. Thus, the development of the late distal segments of the nephron is one of the important factors for the terrestrial adaptation.     

鸡肾发生的组织学观察

采用组织学方法和电镜技术,对9个不同发育时期的鸡(Callus domestiaus)胚胎进行了观察.通过对鸡胚胎肾组织发生过程的观察,探讨鸡胚中肾的发生与退化,后肾的发生、分化规律和特点.结果表明,孵育到第16期在中肾前端附近出现一些中肾小泡.孵育到第18期形成中肾小管.孵育到第26期,中肾小管的盲端内陷,原始的肾小囊和肾血管球形成,中肾小管显著伸长并迂回曲折.孵育到第33～37期,体前后部中肾组织均已形成完整的肾单位.第37～46期体前部至后部的中肾组织依次退化.孵育到第26期从泄殖腔附近发出的输尿管芽向生后肾组织侵入生长,生后.肾组织产生许多生后肾小泡.第33期出现肾小囊和肾小管,肾小管伸长并发生折叠,出现集合小管、近端小管和远端小管的形态分化.第37～46期肾小体逐渐发育成熟,肾小管继续分化出现细段.鸡的中肾具有排泄功能.鸡后肾的发生与分化存在明显的时间差异.肾单位的分化中,同一胚龄肾组织内可存在不同发育阶段的肾小体,集合小管分化较早,诱导近端小管和远端小管分化,细段分化较迟.     

Structural adaptation of intercalated cells in rat renal cortex to acute metabolic acidosis and alkalosis

The structural responses of cells in the distal convoluted, connecting, and collecting tubule to acute acid/base changes were investigated by electron microscopy. Acute metabolic acidosis was induced by administration of ammonium chloride, and acute metabolic alkalosis by potassium or sodium bicarbonate. Morphometric analyses were performed on micrographs of randomly selected distal nephron cells. No structural responses were found in distal convoluted tubule cells, connecting tubule cells, or principal cells but prominent changes were observed in intercalated cells (I cells). Thus, the surface density of the luminal membrane in I cells was significantly higher in acidotic animals and lower in KHCO3 alkalotic animals than in controls. On the contrary, the surface density of the membrane that bounds apical vesicles was higher in KHCO3 alkalotic and lower in acidotic animals than in controls. These results suggest that the luminal membrane is internalized during alkalosis and that the membrane that bounds apical vesicles is transferred to the luminal membrane during acidosis. Since a proton translocating ATPase may be present in the luminal membrane the observations are consistent with the possibility that cortical I cells participate in the maintenance of acid/base homeostasis.     

Characterization of the Na+/H+ Exchanger in the Luminal Membrane of the Distal Nephron

In the rabbit as well as the rat, a Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger is expressed in the apical membrane of both the proximal and distal tubules of the renal cortex. Whereas the isoform derived from the proximal tubule has been extensively studied, little information is available concerning the distal luminal membrane isoform. To better characterize the latter isoform, we purified rabbit proximal and distal tubules, and examined the ethylpropylamiloride (EIPA)-sensitive ²²Na uptake by the luminal membrane vesicles from the two segments. The presence of 100 μm EIPA in the membrane suspension decreased the 15 sec Na⁺ uptake to 75.70 ± 4.70% and 50.30 ± 2.23% of the control values in vesicles from proximal and distal tubules, respectively. The effect of EIPA on 35 mm Na⁺ uptake was concentration dependent, with a IC₅₀ of 700 μm and 75 μm for the proximal and distal luminal membranes. Whereas the proximal tubule membrane isoform was insensitive to cimetidine and clonidine up to a concentration of 2 mm, the 35 mm Na⁺ uptake by the distal membrane was strongly inhibited by cimetidine (IC₅₀ 700 μm) and modestly inhibited by clonidine (IC₅₀ 1.6 mm). The incubation of proximal tubule suspensions with 1 mm (Bu₂) cAMP decreased the 15-sec EIPA-sensitive Na⁺ uptake by the brush border membranes to 24.1 ± 2.38% of the control values. Unexpectedly, the same treatment of distal tubules enhanced this uptake by 46.5 ± 10.3%. Finally, incubation of tubule suspensions with 100 nm phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) decreased the exchanger activity to 58.6 ± 3.04% and 79.7 ± 3.21% of the control values in the proximal and distal luminal membranes, respectively. In conclusion, the high sensitivity of the distal luminal membrane exchanger to various inhibitors, and its stimulation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase A, indicate that this isoform differs from that of the proximal tubule and probably corresponds to isoform 1. Received: 6 March 1998/Revised: 6 July 1998     

The ultrastructural characteristics of the apical cell in the neuroepithelial bodies of the toad lung (Bufo marinus)

Summary The cytological features and membrane specialisations of neuroepithelial cells (apical cells) in direct contact with the lumen of the lung were studied with transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The luminal surface of the apical cell is characterised by microvilli, a cilium with an 8+1 microtubular pattern and numerous coated vesicles. The cytoplasmic region immediately beneath the luminal plasma membrane contains numerous smooth-walled vesicles, tubules and microtubules, a few microfilaments and dense granules (15–20 nm in diameter). The luminal pole of the cell is marked off from the basal or vascular pole by a well-defined terminal web associated with junctional complexes. Protrusion of the luminal pole occurs as a transient phenomenon and is accompanied by a pinching in of the cell at the terminal web. It is proposed that the distinctive features of the luminal pole of the apical cell are comparable to those of recognised chemoreceptor cells. It is also proposed that in view of the common features of apical and basal cells the apical cell functions as a receptor/transducer and the basal cells serve as an accessory source of peptides/5-hydroxytryptamine to be released on stimulation of the apical cell. Furthermore, we have drawn attention to the structural heterogeneity of the neuroepithelial bodies in various vertebrate classes.     

Monoclonal antibodies to rat renal tissue: an approach to the immunohistological analysis of the nephron-collecting duct system, and ultra-structural localization of antigens

Summary To obtain more accurate information on the nephron-collecting duct system, monoclonal antibodies against renal tissue were prepared. BALB/c mice were immunized every two weeks with rat renal tissue, either cortex or medulla. Spleen cells were collected and fused with myeloma cells sensitive to hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine medium. Hybrids were selected for production of antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence and cloned by the limiting dilution method. Tissue reactivity of the antibodies obtained was defined by immunofluorescence. The intracellular localization of antigenic determinants was ascertained by immunoelectron microscopy. The antibodies were classified into four major groups: (1) antibodies against proximal tubules; (2) antibodies against distal tubules and the loop of Henle; (3) antibodies against collecting duct system; and (4) antibodies against glomeruli. Using immunoelectron microscopy, various intracellular antigenic determinants were recognized, such as brush border, apical canaliculi, vacuolar apparatus, luminal and basolateral plasma membranes. The results obtained indicated that electron microscopy is indispensable for the immunohistological study of the nephroncollecting duct system. The observations help to understand morphological and functional diversity of the nephron-collecting duct system.     

The alpha macroglobulins of rat serum.

Cortex of rat kidney was homogenized and fractions enriched in plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum or brush border were prepared by several techniques of differential centrifugation. The identity and homogeneity of the membrane fragments were investigated by assaying marker enzymes and by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Kallikrein was present in both plasma-membrane- and endoplasmic-reticulum-enriched fractions isolated by two fractionation procedures. Kallikrein was highly concentrated in a plasma-membrane fraction but was absent from the brush-border membrane of proximal tubular cells. Cells of transplanted renal tumours of the rat, originating from the proximal tubule, had no kallikrein activity. Kininase activity, angiotensin I-converting enzyme (kininase II) and angiotensinase were found in a plasma-membrane-enriched fraction and especially in the fraction containing isolated brush border. It is suggested that after renal kallikrein is synthesized on endoplasmic reticulum, it is subsequently reoriented to a surface membrane for activation and release. Renal kallikrein may enter the tubular filtrate distal to the proximal tubules. The brush-border membrane of proximal tubule is the major site of inactivation of kinins and angiotensin II..     

Roles of ATP and cytoskeleton in the regulation of Na+/H+ exchanger along the nephron luminal membrane

Although in LLC-PK cells ATP depletion has been shown to result in alterations of cytoskeleton actin and an inhibition of Na+/H+ exchanger activity, there is little information concerning the regulation of this exchanger in the distal luminal membrane by ATP and actin filaments. The present study examined the direct effect of ATP and cytochalasin B on the Na+/H+ exchanger activity in the proximal and distal tubule luminal membranes. The presence of 100 microM ATP in the luminal membrane vesicles from rabbit proximal tubules did not influence the Ethyl Isopropyl Amiloride sensitive Na+ uptake by these membranes. In contrast, the same treatment of luminal membranes from distal tubules significantly enhanced the exchanger activity from 0.22 +/- 0.04 to 0.39 +/- 0.08 pM/microg/10 sec (P < 0.02). When ATP was replaced by its nonhydrolysable form, ATPgammas, the effect on the distal luminal membrane was strongly diminished suggesting that the action of the nucleotide implicates a phosphorylation step. Confirming this hypothesis, addition of 300-microM-Rp cAMP, a protein kinase A inhibitor, completely abolished the effect of ATP. In view of the fact that a tight relationship has been described between ATP, the cytoskeleton complex and the exchanger activity, we studied the effect of cytochalasin B on this activity. The presence of 20 microM cytochalasin B in the distal luminal membrane vesicles induced, as observed with ATP, a significant increase in the Na+ uptake. However, the actions of ATP and cytochalasin B were not additive. These results suggest that firstly, ATP and short actin filaments of the cytoskeleton regulate the distal luminal isoform through an intramembranous mechanism and secondly, a phosphorylation mechanism is, at least partially, implicated in the action of ATP. In contrast, the proximal tubule exchanger is regulated through different mechanisms.     

Comparison of the distribution of tissue kallikrein and esterase A, a kallikrein-like enzyme, in rat kidney using specific monoclonal antibodies

Tissue kallikrein (E.C. 3.4.21.35) and arginine esterase A, another closely related, kinin-generating serine protease, have been localized by immunocytochemistry in rat kidney, using monoclonal antibodies that do not crossreact with other kallikrein-related enzymes or with tonin. Kallikrein was present primarily in the apical cytoplasm of the connecting tubule and the cortical collecting duct. Esterase A, on the other hand, was present primarily in the basolateral region of both proximal and distal straight tubules in the outer medulla and medullary rays. In addition, esterase A was demonstrable in distal convoluted tubules and, to a lesser extent, in proximal convoluted tubules. The presence of different kinin-generating enzymes at these sites would permit the formation of kinins from appropriate substrates on both the vascular and luminal poles of separate segments of the kidney tubule.     

Immunocytochemical localization of cathepsin B in rat kidney. II. Electron microscopic study using the protein A-gold technique

Thin sections of Lowicryl K4M-embedded materials were labeled with protein A-gold complex. Gold particles representing the antigen sites for cathepsin B were exclusively confined to lysosomes of each segment of the nephron. The heaviest labeling was noted in the lysosomes of the S1 segment of the proximal tubules. Labeling intensity varied considerably with the individual lysosomes. Lysosomes of the other tubular segments, such as the S2 and S3 segments of the proximal tubules, distal convoluted tubules, and collecting tubules were weakly labeled by gold particles. Quantitative analysis of labeling density also confirmed that lysosomes in the S1 segment have the highest labeling density and that approximately 65% of labeling in the whole renal segments, except for the glomerulus, was found in the S1 segment. These results indicate that in rat kidney the lysosomes of the S1 segment are a main location of cathepsin B. Further precise observations on lysosomes of the S1 segment revealed that apical vesicles, tubules, and vacuoles were devoid of gold particles, but when the vacuoles contained fine fibrillar materials, gold labeling was detectable in such vacuoles. As the lysosomal matrix becomes denser, the labeling density is increased. Some small vesicles around the Golgi complex were also labeled. These results indicate that the endocytotic apparatus including the apical vesicles, tubules, and vacuoles contains no cathepsin B. When the vacuoles develop into phagosomes, they acquire this enzyme to digest the absorbed proteins.     

Intracellular localization and endocytosis of brush border enzymes in the enterocyte-like cell line Caco-2.

Immunoelectron microscopy was used to localize the brush border hydrolases sucrase-isomaltase (SI) and dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPPIV) in the human colon carcinoma cell line Caco-2. Both enzymes were detected at the microvillar membrane, in small vesicles and multivesicular bodies (MVBs), and in lysosomal bodies. In addition, DPPIV was found in the Golgi apparatus, a variety of apical vesicles and tubules, and at the basolateral membrane. To investigate whether the hydrolases present in the lysosomal bodies were endocytosed from the apical membrane, endocytic compartments were marked with the endocytic tracer cationized ferritin (CF). After internalization from the apical membrane through coated pits, CF was first recovered in apical vesicles and tubules, and larger electronlucent vesicles (early endosomes), and later accumulated in MVBs (late endosomes) and lysosomal bodies. DPPIV was localized in a subpopulation of both early and late endocytic vesicles, which contained CF after 3 and 15 min of uptake, respectively. Also, internalization of the specific antibody against DPPIV and gold labeling on cryosections showed endocytosed DPPIV in both early and late endosomes. However, unlike CF, no accumulation of DPPIV was seen in MVBs or lysosomal bodies after longer chase times. The results indicate that in Caco-2 cells the majority of brush border hydrolases present in lysosomal bodies are not endocytosed from the brush border membrane. Furthermore, the labeling patterns obtained, suggest that late endosomes may be involved in the recycling of endocytosed DPPIV to the microvilli.     

Transport of a fluorescent cAMP analog in teleost proximal tubules

Previous studies have shown that killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) renal proximal tubules express a luminal membrane transporter that is functionally and immunologically analogous to the mammalian multidrug resistance-associated protein isoform 2 (Mrp2, ABCC2). Here we used confocal microscopy to investigate in killifish tubules the transport of a fluorescent cAMP analog (fluo-cAMP), a putative substrate for Mrp2 and Mrp4 (ABCC4). Steady-state luminal accumulation of fluo-cAMP was concentrative, specific, and metabolism-dependent, but not reduced by high K+ medium or ouabain. Transport was not affected by p-aminohippurate (organic anion transporter inhibitor) or p-glycoprotein inhibitor (PSC833), but cell-to-lumen transport was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner by Mrp inhibitor MK571, leukotriene C4 (LTC4), azidothymidine (AZT), cAMP, and adefovir; the latter two compounds are Mrp4 substrates. Although MK571 and LTC4 reduced transport of the Mrp2 substrate fluorescein-methotrexate (FL-MTX), neither cAMP, adefovir, nor AZT affected FL-MTX transport. Fluo-cAMP transport was not reduced when tubules were exposed to endothelin-1, Na nitroprusside (an nitric oxide generator) or phorbol ester (PKC activator), all of which signal substantial reductions in cell-to-lumen FL-MTX transport. Fluo-cAMP transport was reduced by forskolin, and this reduction was blocked by the PKA inhibitor H-89. Finally, in membrane vesicles from Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells containing human MRP4, ATP-dependent and specific uptake of fluo-cAMP could be demonstrated. Thus, based on inhibitor specificity and regulatory signaling, cell-to-lumen transport of fluo-cAMP in killifish renal tubules is mediated by a transporter distinct from Mrp2, presumably a teleost form of Mrp4.     

Study on the origin of apical tubules in ileal absorptive cells of suckling rats using concanavalin-A as a membrane-bound tracer

Summary The ileal absorptive cells of suckling rats exhibit high levels of endocytic activity being engaged in nonselective uptake of macromolecules from the intestinal lumen. The apical cytoplasm usually contains an extensive network of small, membrane-limited tubules (apical tubules: AT), in addition to newly formed endocytic vesicles and large endocytic vacuoles. To determine whether the AT are directly involved in the endocytic process by carrying the tracer into the cell, we have analysed movements of the apical cell membrane of the ileal absorptive cells by using a membrane-bound tracer (horseradish peroxidase-labelled cancanavalin-A: Con-A HRP). The ileal absorptive cells were exposed in vitro to Con-A HRP for 10 min at 4° C, incubated for different times in Con-A free medium at 37° C, and prepared for electron microscopy. After 1 min incubation at 37° C, invaginations of the apical cell membrane, including coated pits, and endocytic vesicles were labelled with HRP-reaction product, whereas the AT and large endocytic vacuoles were negative. After 2.5 min, almost all the large endocytic vacuoles were labelled with reaction product, which was seen in their vacuolar lumen and along the luminal surface of their limiting membrane. A few AT with reaction product were seen in the apical cytoplasm; they were in frequent connection with the reaction-positive large endocytic vacuoles. With increasing incubation time, the number of the labelled AT increased. Thus, after 15 min at 37° C, the apical cytoplasm was fully occupied by the reaction-positive AT. The ends of these AT were often continuous with small spherical coated vesicles. No reaction product was detected in the Golgi complex at any time after incubation. These observations indicate that the AT located in the apical cytoplasm probably originate by budding off from the large endocytic vacuoles, rather than being involved in the process of endocytosis.     

Ultrastructure and osmoregulatory function of the kidney in larvae of the Persian sturgeon Acipenser persicus

The localization of Na(+) , K(+) -ATPase (NKA) and the ultrastructural features of kidney were examined in larvae of the Persian sturgeon Acipenser persicus (L 31-41 mm total length and 182·3-417·3 mg). Investigations were conducted through light and electron microscopy and through immunofluorescence for NKA detection. The kidney nephrons consisted of a large glomerulus and tubules (neck, proximal, distal and collecting), which connected to the ureters. Posteriorly, ureters extended and joined together into a thin-walled ureter terminal sac. Ultrastructurally, the glomerular cells (podocytes) possessed distinctive pedicels that extended to the basal membrane. The proximal tubule (PT) showed two different cells. The cells lining the anterior part of PT possessed apical tall microvilli (c. 2·7 μm), a sub-apical tubular system, a basal nucleus and dense granules. Posteriorly in the cells, the sub-apical tubular system and granules were absent and round mitochondria associated with basolateral infoldings were found; the apical microvilli were reduced. Distal and collecting tubular cells showed the typical features of osmoregulatory cells, i.e. well-developed basolateral infoldings associated with numerous mitochondria. No immunofluorescence of NKA was detected in the glomeruli. A weak immunostaining was observed at the basolateral side of the cells lining the neck and PT. A strong immunostaining of NKA was observed in the entire cells of the distal tubules, collecting tubules and in some isolated cells of the ureters. In all immunostained cells, the basolateral region showed a much higher fluorescence and nuclei were immunonegative. In conclusion, the epithelial cells of kidney tubules had morphological and enzymatic features of ionocytes, particularly in the distal and collecting tubules. Thus, the kidney of A. persicus larvae possesses active ion exchange capabilities and, beside its implication in excretion, participates in osmoregulation.