Hypotonic cell volume regulation in mouse medullary thick ascending limb: effects of ADH

Thick Ascending Limb Sodium Transport in the Pathogenesis of Hypertension

The thick ascending limb plays a key role in maintaining water and electrolyte balance. The importance of this segment in regulating blood pressure is evidenced by the effect of loop diuretics or local genetic defects on this parameter. Hormones and factors produced by thick ascending limbs have both autocrine and paracrine effects, which can extend prohypertensive signaling to other structures of the nephron. In this review, we discuss the role of the thick ascending limb in the development of hypertension, not as a sole participant, but one that works within the rich biological context of the renal medulla. We first provide an overview of the basic physiology of the segment and the anatomical considerations necessary to understand its relationship with other renal structures. We explore the physiopathological changes in thick ascending limbs occurring in both genetic and induced animal models of hypertension. We then discuss the racial differences and genetic defects that affect blood pressure in humans through changes in thick ascending limb transport rates. Throughout the text, we scrutinize methodologies and discuss the limitations of research techniques that, when overlooked, can lead investigators to make erroneous conclusions. Thus, in addition to advancing an understanding of the basic mechanisms of physiology, the ultimate goal of this work is to understand our research tools, to make better use of them, and to contextualize research data. Future advances in renal hypertension research will require not only collection of new experimental data, but also integration of our current knowledge.

Comparative physiology and architecture associated with the mammalian urine concentrating mechanism: role of inner medullary water and urea transport pathways in the rodent medulla

Comparative studies of renal structure and function have potential to provide insights into the urine-concentrating mechanism of the mammalian kidney. This review focuses on the tubular transport pathways for water and urea that play key roles in fluid and solute movements between various compartments of the rodent renal inner medulla. Information on aquaporin water channel and urea transporter expression has increased our understanding of functional segmentation of medullary thin limbs of Henle's loops, collecting ducts, and vasa recta. A more complete understanding of membrane transporters and medullary architecture has identified new and potentially significant interactions between these structures and the interstitium. These interactions are now being introduced into our concept of how the inner medullary urine-concentrating mechanism works. A variety of regulatory pathways lead directly or indirectly to variable patterns of fluid and solute movements among the interstitial and tissue compartments. Animals with the ability to produce highly concentrated urine, such as desert species, are considered to exemplify tubular structure and function that optimize urine concentration. These species may provide unique insights into the urine-concentrating process.(1)

Membrane-associated aquaporin-1 facilitates osmotically driven water flux across the basolateral membrane of the thick ascending limb

The thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle (TAL) reabsorbs ∼30% of filtered NaCl but is impermeable to water. The observation that little water traverses the TAL indicates an absence of water channels at the apical membrane. Yet TAL cells swell when peritubular osmolality decreases indicating that water channels must be present in the basolateral side. Consequently, we hypothesized that the water channel aquaporin-1 (AQP1) facilitates water flux across the basolateral membrane of TALs. Western blotting revealed AQP1 expression in microdissected rat and mouse TALs. Double immunofluorescence showed that 95 ± 2% of tubules positive for the TAL-specific marker Tamm-Horsfall protein were also positive for AQP1 (n = 6). RT-PCR was used to demonstrate presence of AQP1 mRNA and the TAL-specific marker NKCC2 in microdissected TALs. Cell surface biotinylation assays showed that 23 ± 3% of the total pool of AQP1 was present at the TAL basolateral membrane (n = 7). To assess the functional importance of AQP1 in the basolateral membrane, we measured the rate of cell swelling initiated by decreasing peritubular osmolality as an indicator of water flux in microdissected TALs. Water flux was decreased by ∼50% in Aqp1 knockout mice compared with wild-types (4.0 ± 0.8 vs. 8.9 ± 1.7 fluorescent U/s, P < 0.02; n = 7). Furthermore, arginine vasopressin increased TAL AQP1 expression by 135 ± 17% (glycosylated) and 41 ± 11% (nonglycosylated; P < 0.01; n =5). We conclude that 1) the TAL expresses AQP1, 2) ∼23% of the total pool of AQP1 is localized to the basolateral membrane, 3) AQP1 mediates a significant portion of basolateral water flux, and 4) AQP1 is upregulated in TALs of rats infused with dDAVP. AQP1 could play an important role in regulation of TAL cell volume during changes in interstitial osmolality, such as during a high-salt diet or water deprivation.

TRPV4 mediates hypotonicity-induced ATP release by the thick ascending limb

Extracellular ATP is an autocrine/paracrine factor that regulates renal function. Transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 4 is a cation channel that mediates release of autocrine/paracrine factors by acting as an osmosensor. The renal medulla, and therefore the thick ascending limb, is exposed to osmotic stress. We hypothesize that reduced osmolality stimulates ATP release from the thick ascending limb via transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 4 activation. We measured ATP release by medullary thick ascending limb suspensions after reducing bath osmolality from 350 to 323 mosmol/kgH2O, using the luciferin-luciferase assay. Decreasing osmolality stimulated ATP release compared with control (38.9+/-7.2 vs. 2.4+/-1.0 pmol/mg protein; n=6, P<0.01). To examine the role of TRPV4, we used 1) Ca-free solutions, 2) a TRPV4 inhibitor, 3) small interfering (si) RNA against TRPV4, and 4) a TRPV4 activator. Removal of Ca completely blocked osmolality-induced ATP release (42.2+/-5.9 vs. 2.6+/-1.5 pmol/mg protein; n=6, P<0.01). In the presence of the TRPV4-selective inhibitor ruthenium red, osmolality-induced ATP release was blocked by 73% (56.4+/-19.9 vs. 8.8+/-2.3 pmol/mg protein; n=6; P<0.03). In vivo treatment of thick ascending limbs with siRNA against TRPV4 decreased osmolality-induced ATP release by 62% (31.5+/-3.4 vs. 12.4+/-1.1 pmol/mg protein; n=6; P<0.01), while reducing TRPV4 expression by 74% compared with the nontreated kidney. Treatment with scrambled siRNA did not affect TRPV4 expression and/or osmolality-induced ATP release. Finally, in the absence of changes in osmolality, the specific TRPV4 agonist 4alpha-PDD increased ATP release (3.6+/-0.9 vs. 25.4+/-7.4 pmol/mg protein; n=6; P<0.04). We concluded that decreases in osmolality stimulate ATP release by thick ascending limbs and this effect is mediated by TRPV4 activation.

Relationship between intracellular ionic strength and expression of tonicity-responsive genes in rat papillary collecting duct cells

Intracellular ionic strength may play an important role in regulating the expression of genes encoding osmolyte-accumulating molecules. To establish whether a strict relation exists between these variables, intracellular ionic strength (sum of Na+, Cl- and K+ concentrations) and the relative abundance of mRNA derived from various tonicity-sensitive genes was examined using electron microprobe analysis and Northern blots on primary cultures of rat papillary collecting duct (PCD) cells following acute or long-term alterations in medium tonicity. Hypertonic medium (450 mosmol kg(-1)) evoked an initial rise in intracellular ionic strength (269 +/- 5 vs. 194 +/- 7 mmol (kg wet weight (wt))(-1) in isotonic controls; means +/- S.E.M.), which subsequently declined gradually, and a significantly higher abundance of bgt1 (Na+- and Cl- -dependent betaine transporter), smit (Na+/myo-inositol cotransporter), ar (aldose reductase) and osp94 (osmotic stress protein 94) mRNAs. Conversely, exposure to hypotonic medium (200 mosmol kg(-1)) for 12 h was associated with significantly reduced intracellular ionic strength (153 +/- 4 mmol (kg wet wt)(-1)) and significantly reduced the abundance of smit and ar mRNAs. PCD cells preconditioned in hypotonic medium and re-exposed to isotonic medium showed significantly higher abundance of these mRNAs than isotonic controls, although the intracellular ionic strength did not differ. Two further tonicity-sensitive genes responded differently to medium tonicity: while the abundance of hsp70 (heat shock protein 70) mRNA increased significantly following both hypo- and hypertonic stress, inos (inducible nitric oxide synthase) mRNA abundance correlated inversely with medium tonicity. These findings support the view that the effect of intracellular ionic strength on the expression of bgt1, smit, ar and osp94 is modulated by additional factors such as cell volume, and that its effect on the pathways regulating hsp70 and inos is even more complex.

Hyposmolality stimulates apical membrane Na(+)/H(+) exchange and HCO(3)(-) absorption in renal thick ascending limb

The regulation of epithelial Na(+)/H(+) exchangers (NHEs) by hyposmolality is poorly understood. In the renal medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL), transepithelial bicarbonate (HCO(3)(-)) absorption is mediated by apical membrane Na(+)/H(+) exchange, attributable to NHE3. In the present study we examined the effects of hyposmolality on apical Na(+)/H(+) exchange activity and HCO(3)(-) absorption in the MTAL of the rat. In MTAL perfused in vitro with 25 mM HCO(3)(-) solutions, decreasing osmolality in the lumen and bath by removal of either mannitol or sodium chloride significantly increased HCO(3)(-) absorption. The responses to lumen addition of the inhibitors ethylisopropyl amiloride, amiloride, or HOE 694 are consistent with hyposmotic stimulation of apical NHE3 activity and provide no evidence for a role for apical NHE2 in HCO(3)(-) absorption. Hyposmolality increased apical Na(+)/H(+) exchange activity over the pH(i) range 6.5-7.5 due to an increase in V(max). Pretreatment with either tyrosine kinase inhibitors or with the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor molybdate completely blocked stimulation of HCO(3)(-) absorption by hyposmolality. These results demonstrate that hyposmolality increases HCO(3)(-) absorption in the MTAL through a novel stimulation of apical membrane Na(+)/H(+) exchange and provide the first evidence that NHE3 is regulated by hyposmotic stress. Stimulation of apical Na(+)/H(+) exchange activity in renal cells by a decrease in osmolality may contribute to such pathophysiological processes as urine acidification by diuretics, diuretic resistance, and renal sodium retention in edematous states.

Analysis of volume regulation in an epithelial cell model

An epithelial cell is modeled as a single compartment, bounded by apical and basolateral cell membranes, and containing two nonelectrolyte solute species, nominally NaCl and KCl. Membrane transport of these species may be metabolically driven, or it may follow the transmembrane concentration gradients, either singly (a channel) or jointly (a cotransporter). To represent the effect of stretch-activated channels or shrinkage-activated cotransporters, the membrane permeabilities and cotransport coefficients are permitted to be functions of cell volume. When this epithelium is considered as a dynamical system, conditions are indicated which guarantee the uniqueness and stability of equilibria. Experimentally, many epithelial cells can regulate their volume, and such volume regulatory capability is defined for this model. It is clearly distinct from dynamical stability of the equilibrium and requires more stringent conditions on the volume-dependent permeabilities and cotransporters. For a previously developed model of the toad urinary bladder (Strieter et al., 1990, J. gen. Physiol. 96, 319-344) the uniqueness and stability of its equilibria are indicated. The analysis also demonstrates that under some conditions a second stable equilibrium may appear, along with a saddle-node bifurcation. This is illustrated numerically in a modified model of the epithelium of the thick ascending limb of Henle.

Cell volume regulation: a review of cerebral adaptive mechanisms and implications for clinical treatment of osmolal disturbances. I

Control of cell size within defined limits is vital for maintenance of normal organ function. This important feature of cell physiology can be disturbed by changes in membrane transport in epithelial cells. In addition, fluctuations in the osmolality of the extracellular fluid, caused by an abnormal plasma concentration of sodium, glucose, or urea can lead to derangements in cell size. Cell volume regulation is especially important in the brain because the brain is confined within a non-compliant vault and cannot tolerate significant perturbations in cell size. Therefore, brain cells have developed a coordinated array of adaptive mechanisms designed to modulate the cytosolic content of osmotically active solutes in response to alterations in the osmolality of the extracellular fluid. This process is controlled by various hormones including arginine vasopressin, insulin, and estrogen, and is subject to changes during development. The bulk of the change in cell content of osmolytes involves inorganic electrolytes. However, excessive variation in the cytosolic ionic strength has deleterious effects on protein structure and enzyme function. Therefore, brain cells have developed the capacity to accumulate or extrude various organic osmolytes in order to adjust the cytosolic osmolality without adversely affecting cell function. These solutes are termed non-perturbing osmolytes and belong to one of three classes of molecules: amino acids, carbohydrates and polyhydric sugar alcohols, or methylamines. Cerebral cells regulate the cytosolic content of organic osmolytes primarily by altering the transmembrane flux of these solutes. There are features of the cell volume regulatory response that are shared by the brain and kidney cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Selected aspects of cell volume control in renal cortical and medullary tissue

Under normal physiological conditions, demands placed on mammalian renal cortical cells are quite different from those in the medulla. Cortical proximal tubule cells exist in an isotonic environment, but must resorb vast amounts of filtered fluid and solute, and also adjust to solute generated from cellular metabolism. In addition, cortical cells must also adjust to occasional pathological derangements in blood osmolality. By contrast, human medullary cells have a smaller solute resorptive load, but exist in a milieu where osmolality varies from 40 to more than 1200 mosmol/kg H2O, depending on water intake. Remarkably, the cells maintain a near normal size despite these stresses. Under isosmotic conditions, the primary regulator of cell volume is Na-K ATPase. In its absence, factors such as external protein, extracellular matrix and basement membrane, cytoskeleton, and perhaps formation of cytoplasmic vesicular-like structures help prevent cells from swelling massively. Under anisosmotic conditions, a variety of transport processes operating across basolateral and apical membranes either remove solute from or add solute (and water) to cells to minimize changes in their size. Medullary cells have the additional ability to accumulate organic, non-toxic, osmolytes that offset external hypertonicity and allow cells to maintain normal size without increasing cellular inorganic ion concentrations.

Stretch-activated channels in single early distal tubule cells of the frog

1. Single stretch-activated channels have been studied in cell-attached and excised patches from single early distal tubule (diluting segment) cells of Rana temporaria. 2. The channels can be reversibly activated, in both cell-attached and excised patches, by the application of negative pressure to the pipette causing mechanical stretching of the cell membrane. In cell-attached patches, application of 14.8 cmH2O negative pressure to the patch pipette increased reversibly the open probably from 0.11 to 0.87. 3. The channel conductance in the cell-attached configuration with standard Ringer solution in the pipette is 21.3 pS. 4. The channel is non-specific. In excised inside-out patches ion substitution experiments show that the channel does not discriminate between sodium and potassium ions, nor does it appear to select for cations over anions. 5. The channel is voltage sensitive such that depolarizing the cell opens the channel. The open probability at the resting membrane potential, 0.89, was reduced to 0.26 at a hyperpolarizing potential of 100 mV (holding pressure of -20.1 cmH2O or -206 Pa). 6. The sensitivity of the channel to mechanical stretching suggests that the channel may be involved in cell volume regulation.