Mechanism of endothelin activation of phospholipase A2 in rat renal medullary interstitial cells

Renomedullary Interstitial Cell Endothelin A Receptors Regulate BP and Renal Function

BACKGROUND

The physiologic role of renomedullary interstitial cells, which are uniquely and abundantly found in the renal inner medulla, is largely unknown. Endothelin A receptors regulate multiple aspects of renomedullary interstitial cell function in vitro.

METHODS

To assess the effect of targeting renomedullary interstitial cell endothelin A receptors in vivo, we generated a mouse knockout model with inducible disruption of renomedullary interstitial cell endothelin A receptors at 3 months of age.

RESULTS

BP and renal function were similar between endothelin A receptor knockout and control mice during normal and reduced sodium or water intake. In contrast, on a high-salt diet, compared with control mice, the knockout mice had reduced BP; increased urinary sodium, potassium, water, and endothelin-1 excretion; increased urinary nitrite/nitrate excretion associated with increased noncollecting duct nitric oxide synthase-1 expression; increased PGE₂ excretion associated with increased collecting duct cyclooxygenase-1 expression; and reduced inner medullary epithelial sodium channel expression. Water-loaded endothelin A receptor knockout mice, compared with control mice, had markedly enhanced urine volume and reduced urine osmolality associated with increased urinary endothelin-1 and PGE₂ excretion, increased cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression, and decreased inner medullary aquaporin-2 protein content. No evidence of endothelin-1-induced renomedullary interstitial cell contraction was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Disruption of renomedullary interstitial cell endothelin A receptors reduces BP and increases salt and water excretion associated with enhanced production of intrinsic renal natriuretic and diuretic factors. These studies indicate that renomedullary interstitial cells can modulate BP and renal function under physiologic conditions.

Preservation of serotonin-mediated contractility in adult sheep pulmonary arteries following long-term high-altitude hypoxia

Long-term hypoxia (LTH) can increase serotonin (5-HT) signaling as well as extracellular calcium entry in adult rodent pulmonary arteries (PA), and 5-HT is associated with pulmonary hypertension. Because LTH, 5-HT, and calcium entry are related, we tested the hypothesis that LTH increases 5-HT-mediated PA contractility and associated calcium influx through L-type Ca2+ channels, nonselective cation channels (NSCC), and reverse-mode sodium-Ca2+ exchange. We performed wire myography and confocal calcium imaging on pulmonary arteries from adult ewes that lived near sea level or were maintained at high-altitude (3801 m) for ∼110 days. LTH did not increase the arterial medial wall thickness, nor did it affect the potency or efficacy for 5-HT-induced PA contraction. Ketanserin (100 nM), a 5-HT2A antagonist, shifted the 5-HT potency to a far greater extent than 1 μM GR-55562, a 5-HT1B/D inhibitor. These influences were unaffected by LTH. The rank order for reducing 5-HT-induced PA contraction in normoxic animals was extracellular calcium removal≈10 mM Ni2+≈10 μM verapamil≈10 μM nifedipine with 50 μM SKF 96365>30 μM KB-R7943≈100 μM flufenamic acid≈10 μM nifedipine≈100 μM Gd3+> 100 μM La3+>500 μM Ni2+≈10 μM diltiazem≈50 μM 2-APB≈100 μM LOE 908. Contraction was not reduced by 100 μM spermine or 30 μM SN-6. LTH increased the effects of KB-R7943 and mitigated those of nifedipine but did not affect calcium responses in imaging studies. Overall, in adult sheep, arterial structure and 5-HT2A and 5HT1B/D functions are preserved following LTH while the role of NSCC-related calcium-dependent contraction is increased. These elements indicate preservation of PA contractility in LTH with minimal functional changes.

IL-8 amplifies CD40/CD154-mediated ICAM-1 production via the CXCR-1 receptor and p38-MAPK pathway in human renal proximal tubule cells

Activation of the CD40 receptor by its cognate ligand, CD154, results in interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) production and increased intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in proximal tubule cells (PTCs). The independent role of these two proinflammatory chemokines, IL-8 and MCP-1, in inciting an inflammatory response in PTCs was explored. Exposure of primary cultures of human renal PTCs to recombinant IL-8 and MCP-1 resulted in increased ICAM-1 expression measured by quantitative real-time PCR, but confirmed only for IL-8 by immunoblot. The mechanism of action of IL-8 was explored in further detail. Immunohistochemistry identified both the CXCR-1 and CXCR-2 receptors, confirmed by RT-PCR, immunoprecipitation, immunoblot, and FACS analysis. IL-8 increased ICAM-1 expression only via the CXCR-1 receptor, which in turn resulted in activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway; neither the extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) 1/2 MAPK pathway nor the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK)/c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK) pathway was involved. CD154/CD40-mediated ICAM-1 upregulation was not affected by preincubation of monolayers with the CXCR-1 blocking antibody, indicating that ICAM-1 expression occurs independent of CD154-mediated IL-8 production. Coincubation of monolayers with both CD154 and IL-8 resulted in a greater ICAM-1 response than either compound alone. We conclude that in human renal PTCs, IL-8 upregulates ICAM-1 production by engaging the CXCR-1 receptor and p38 MAPK signaling pathway. This cascade of events is independent of CD40/CD154-mediated IL-8 stimulation and ICAM-1 production and serves to amplify the inflammatory response.

CD40/CD154 ligation induces mononuclear cell adhesion to human renal proximal tubule cells via increased ICAM-1 expression

The role of CD40/CD154 ligation in the upregulation of genes of the proinflammatory nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signal transduction pathway was explored in primary cultures of human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells. Using a cDNA gene array specific for human NF-κB signal pathway genes, 38 genes were upregulated at 1 h, and 7 of these genes remained upregulated at 3 h. Of these genes, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was explored in further detail. Quantitative real-time PCR for ICAM-1 mRNA expression confirmed the gene array findings. Western blot analysis and quantitative sandwich-enzyme ELISA confirmed this observation at the protein level. A cell-surface ELISA assay showed that ICAM-1 expression doubled by 48 h of CD154 exposure, and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis suggested that both the number of cells expressing ICAM-1 and the expression of ICAM-1 on these cells had increased. A cell adhesion assay using fluorescein-labeled human peripheral mononuclear cells showed that ICAM-1 upregulation resulted in increased mononuclear cell adhesion to the monolayer, which was abrogated by pretreatment of the monolayer with a neutralizing ICAM-1 antibody. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor SB-203580 but not the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 inhibitor (PD-98059) nor the protein kinase C inhibitor (calphostin) blunted ICAM-1 expression and mononuclear cell adhesion to the monolayer. We conclude that, in human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells, CD40 activation upregulates ICAM-1 (and other NF-κB pathway genes) expression with concomitant enhanced adhesion of mononuclear cells, which is mediated via the p38 MAPK signal transduction pathway.

Functional caveolae are a prerequisite for CD40 signaling in human renal proximal tubule cells

The role of caveolae in CD40/CD154 activation of proinflammatory chemokines and their potential role in renal inflammatory disease were explored in primary cultures of human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells. With the use of a cell fractionation assay, caveolin-1 (Cav-1), the defining structural protein of caveolae, was detected exclusively in the cell membrane (detergent insoluble) component of resting and CD40-activated cells. In the unstimulated condition, CD40 was associated with Cav-1, and with activation of the receptor by its cognate ligand CD154, CD40 disassociated from Cav-1. Other previously identified components of the CD40 signaling pathway, namely, SAPK/JNK, p38, and ERK1/2 MAPKs, but not tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF-6), were also present within caveolae and dissociated from this structure with ligation of the CD40 receptor. Disruption of caveolae with filipin diminished CD40-mediated MAPK activation and blunted downstream monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and IL-8 production. Similarly, dislodgment of signaling proteins from their scaffolding with a peptide targeted to the Cav-1 scaffolding domain (CSD) resulted in blunted MAPK activation and augmented IL-8 and MCP-1 production. In contrast, epidermal growth factor (EGF)-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor and activation of ERK1/2 were not interrupted by the peptide. We conclude that in human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells, CD40 and its downstream MAPK signaling proteins are located in membrane rafts and that disruption of caveolae or dislodgment of signaling proteins from the CSD diminishes MAPK activation and IL-8 and MCP-1 production in these cells.

CD40 ligation stimulates MCP-1 and IL-8 production, TRAF6 recruitment, and MAPK activation in proximal tubule cells

The mechanism of CD40/CD154-induced chemokine production and its potential role in renal inflammatory disease were explored. Human proximal tubule cells maintained in primary culture were used as the experimental model. With the use of immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, and a cell fractionation assay, the CD40 receptor was found to be expressed in the cell membrane of the epithelial cell, and, on engagement by CD154, its cognate ligand, translocated to the cytoplasmic compartment. Engagement of CD40 by CD154 stimulated interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) production, which proceeded via receptor activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK)/c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. CD40 ligation also engaged tumor necrosis factor receptor-activating factor 6 (TRAF6), as evidenced by colocalization of the activated receptor with TRAF6 in the cytoplasmic compartment, translocation of both proteins from the insoluble to the soluble cell fraction, and coimmunoprecipitation of the two proteins only under ligand-stimulated conditions. Furthermore, an antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotide targeted against TRAF6 mRNA blunted p38 and SAPK/JNK but not ERK1/2 MAPK activities, as well as IL-8 and MCP-1 production, arguing that TRAF6 is an upstream activator. The zinc chelator TPEN, but not the calcium chelator BAPTA, obliterated CD154-evoked MAPK activity and chemokine production, providing indirect evidence for protein-protein interactions playing a critical role in CD40 signaling in these cells. We conclude that in human proximal tubule cells, CD40 and TRAF6 reside in separate low-density, detergent-insoluble membrane microdomains, or rafts, and on activation translocate and associate with one another probably via zinc-finger domains in the soluble or cytoplasmic compartment. TRAF6, in turn, activates SAPK/JNK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation, which in turn stimulates IL-8 and MCP-1 production in these cells.

Role of cytochrome P-450 arachidonate metabolites in endothelin signaling in rat proximal tubule

We examined the rat proximal tubule (PT) response to endothelin-1 (ET-1) in terms of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) dependency. Arachidonic acid (AA) (1 microM) decreased ouabain-sensitive (86)Rb uptake from 2.1 +/- 0.1 to 0.3 +/- 0.08 ng Rb. 10 microg protein(-1). 2 min(-1) (P < 0.05); 20-HETE (1 microM) had similar effects. Dibromododecenoic acid (DBDD) (2 microM), an inhibitor of omega-hydroxylase, abolished the inhibitory action of AA on (86)Rb uptake whereas the PT response to 20-HETE was unaffected. ET-1 at 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 nM reduced (86)Rb uptake from 2.8 +/- 0.3 in control PTs to 2.4 +/- 0.2, 1.7 +/- 0.1, 0.67 +/- 0.08, and 0.1 +/- 0.03 ng Rb. 10 microg protein(-1). 2 min(-1), respectively. DBDD (2 microM) abolished the inhibitory effect of ET-1 on (86)Rb uptake as did BMS182874 (1 microM), an ET(A)-selective receptor antagonist. ET-1 (100 nM) significantly increased PT 20-HETE release by approximately 50%, an effect prevented by DBDD. N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME), given for 4 days to inhibit nitric oxide synthase (NOS), increased arterial pressure from 92 +/- 12 to 140 +/- 8 mmHg and increased endogenous release of 20-HETE from isolated PTs (measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry). In L-NAME-treated PTs, but not in control PTs, 0.1 microM AA inhibited ouabain-sensitive (86)Rb uptake by > 40%; the response to AA was attenuated by DBDD. We conclude that, in the PTs, 1) 20-HETE is a second messenger for ET-1 and 2) conversion of AA to 20-HETE is augmented when NOS is inhibited.

Eicosanoid regulation of the renal vasculature

Even though it has been recognized that arachidonic acid metabolites, eicosanoids, play an important role in the control of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration, several key observations have been made in the past decade. One major finding was that two distinct cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes exist in the kidney. A renewed interest in the contribution of cyclooxygenase metabolites in tubuloglomerular feedback responses has been sparked by the observation that COX-2 is constitutively expressed in the macula densa area. Arachidonic acid metabolites of the lipoxygenase pathway appear to be significant factors in renal hemodynamic changes that occur during disease states. In particular, 12(S)- hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid may be important for the full expression of the renal hemodynamic actions in response to angiotensin II. Cytochrome P-450 metabolites have been demonstrated to possess vasoactive properties, act as paracrine modulators, and be a critical component in renal blood flow autoregulatory responses. Last, peroxidation of arachidonic acid metabolites to isoprostanes appears to be involved in renal oxidative stress responses. The recent developments of specific enzymatic inhibitors, stable analogs, and gene-disrupted mice and in antisense technology are enabling investigators to understand the complex interplay by which eicosanoids control renal blood flow.

Epstein-Barr virus infection of renal proximal tubule cells: possible role in chronic interstitial nephritis

Chronic interstitial nephritis frequently accompanies renal diseases of different etiologies. Far less common is the entity of primary interstitial nephritis wherein the glomerular and vascular structures of the kidney are not the primary focus of the disease process. Using in situ hybridization and the polymerase chain reaction, we detected DNA from the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) exclusively in renal tissue of patients with the idiopathic variety of chronic interstitial nephritis. The EBV genome, but not that of cytomegalovirus or adenovirus, was detected primarily in renal proximal tubule cells. Furthermore, the CD21 antigen, which serves as the receptor for EBV in B lymphocytes, was detected by immunocytochemistry primarily on proximal tubule cells and was markedly upregulated in the EBV-infected tissue. Western blot analysis of primary cultures of normal proximal tubule cells identified a 140-kDa protein, confirming the expression of the CD21 antigen. Colocalization experiments using proximal and distal tubule markers confirmed that EBV DNA and the CD21 antigen are found primarily in proximal tubule cells. EBV infection of renal proximal tubular cells may participate in evoking a cellular immune response that results in a damaged renal interstitium.

Identification of a contractile function for renal medullary interstitial cells

Renomedullary interstitial cells (RMIC) are unique to the renal medulla. By virtue of their anatomic location and arrangement, RMIC may hinder axial dissipation of the concentration gradient, thereby aiding urinary concentration. A more active role in urinary concentration has been postulated on the basis of speculations about RMIC contractile potential, however, RMIC contraction has not been investigated. To determine if these cells are contractile, cultured rat RMIC were exposed to endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor which binds to RMIC, and examined using video microscopy. ET-1 (as low as 10 pM) caused a slowly developing and dose-dependent reduction in RMIC surface area. ET-1 markedly increased the number and intensity of F-actin microfilament staining. ET-1-induced RMIC contraction was not altered by nifedipine, was partially reduced by nickel, and was completely inhibited by H7, indicating that ET-1 action is mediated by protein kinase C and is partially dependent upon receptor-operated calcium channels. The ET-1 effect does not involve nitric oxide since NG-monomethyl-L-arginine did not alter ET-1-induced RMIC contraction; in addition, ET-1 had only a minor effect on cGMP levels and no effect on nitrite production. PGE2 acts in an autocrine manner to dampen ET action since indomethacin potentiates, while PGE2 inhibits, ET-1-induced RMIC contraction. The contractile response is not unique to ET-1 since vasopressin also reduces RMIC surface area and increases F-actin microfiliment staining. These studies demonstrate that RMIC in culture are contractile. The possibility is raised that contraction of RMIC plays a role in modifying urinary concentration as well as regulation of other renal medullary functions.

Osmolar regulation of endothelin signaling in rat renal medullary interstitial cells

We tested the hypothesis that endothelin (ET) responsiveness in the renal medulla is modulated by ambient osmolarity. Cultured renal medullary interstitial cells (RMICs) were incubated from 3 to 24 h in isosmolar culture medium (300 mOsm/kg H2O) or media rendered hyperosmolar (600 mOsm/kg H2O) by the addition of urea. Under hyperosmolar conditions, the peak of ET-evoked Ca2+ transient was blunted by 45-58% (P < 0.02) and PGE2 accumulation decreased from 16- to 2-fold above basal values (P < 0.001). To explore whether hyperosmolar conditions blunt intracellular signaling via modulation of receptor number or expression, kinetics of ET binding and Northern blot analysis of ETA receptor mRNA was performed. Under hyperosmolar conditions, ETA receptor density was reduced by 84% versus isosmolar conditions (238 +/- 12 vs. 1450 +/- 184 fmol/mg) (P < 0.01). In contrast to the ligand binding studies, ETA receptor mRNA was increased by 58% (P < 0.05) in cells grown under hyperosmolar versus isosmolar media. These observations indicate that in the hyperosmolar setting, ET-evoked intracellular signaling is blunted in RMICs due to ET receptor downregulation. Since ETA receptor mRNA is increased under hyperosmolar conditions, we conclude that ET receptor downregulation is the consequence of either decreased translation of message, increased degradation of receptor peptide, or increased internalization of specific receptor sites.