Showing papers by "Helmut G. Rennke published in 1983"

Role for intrarenal mechanisms in the impaired salt excretion of experimental nephrotic syndrome.

Abstract: A unilateral model of puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-induced albuminuria was produced in Munich-Wistar rats to examine the mechanisms responsible for renal salt retention. 2 wk after selective perfusion of left kidneys with PAN (n = 8 rats) or isotonic saline (control, n = 7 rats), increases in albumin excretion and decreases in sodium excretion were demonstrated in PAN-perfused but not in nonperfused kidneys of PAN-treated rats although systemic plasma protein concentration remained at control level. Total kidney glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and superficial single nephron (SN) GFR were also reduced selectively in PAN-perfused kidneys, on average by approximately 30%, due primarily to a marked decline in the glomerular capillary ultrafiltration coefficient (Kf), which was also confined to PAN-perfused kidneys. Values for absolute proximal reabsorption (APR) were also selectively depressed in PAN-perfused kidneys, in keeping with a similarly selective decline in peritubular capillary oncotic pressure measured in these kidneys, the latter also a consequence of the fall in Kf. In a separate group of seven PAN-treated rats, however, no differences were detected between PAN-perfused and nonperfused kidneys in the absolute amount of sodium reaching the early (0.77 +/- 0.09 neq/min vs. 0.74 +/- 0.08, P greater than 0.40) and late portions of superficial distal tubules (0.31 +/- 0.02) neq/min vs. 0.32 +/- 0.05, P greater than 0.50), despite the lesser filtered load of sodium in PAN-perfused kidneys. Suppressed sodium reabsorption in both proximal convoluted tubules and short loops of Henle of PAN-perfused kidneys contributed to this equalization of sodium delivery rates to the late distal tubule, as did comparable reabsorption along distal convolutions. In two additional groups of PAN-treated rats, infusion of saralasin (0.3 mg/kg per h, i.v.) led to substantial increases in total kidney GFR and SNGFR in PAN-perfused but not in nonperfused kidneys. Despite these increases in total and SNGFR, urinary sodium excretion by PAN-perfused kidneys remained at a level far below that for nonperfused kidneys, again indicating that the antinatriuresis characterizing the PAN-perfused kidney is due to alterations in sodium handling by the tubules rather than changes in GFR. These results therefore indicate (a) that reductions in Kf and depressed sodium reabsorption by proximal tubules and Henle's loop segments in this model are brought about by intrarenal rather than circulating or systemic factors, and (b) assuming that superficial nephrons are representative of the entire nephron population, renal salt retention in this model is due primarily to intrarenal factor(s) acting beyond the distal convolution.

Renal tubular uptake of protein: effect of molecular charge

Abstract: The effect of molecular charge of proteins on proximal tubular reabsorption was evaluated in the rat. Native and two cationized forms of albumin, native and anionized lysozyme, and native and anionized cytochrome c were iodinated with 125I. The different forms of each type of protein were alternately microinfused into the same site of proximal convoluted tubules in vivo. Tubular reabsorption was determined as the difference between the amounts of TCA-precipitable radioactivity infused and recovered in the urine. At low concentration of albumin 5 times more cationized than anionic albumin and 2.7 times more cationic than anionized lysozyme were reabsorbed by the proximal tubule. At two of four concentrations, proximal tubular uptake of cationic cytochrome c exceeded that of anionized cytochrome c. Uptake of cationic cytochrome c exceeded that of cationic lysozyme; however, the difference in uptake between native cationic and anionized species of the two proteins was much greater for lysozyme than for cytochrome c. The data reveal that a higher isoelectric point significantly enhances proximal tubular reabsorption of albumin, lysozyme, and cytochrome c and that proteins with similar molecular weight and isoelectric point are not necessarily reabsorbed to the same degree. This suggests that in addition to total molecular charge the molecular configuration and/or distribution of electrical charges on teh protein surface determine protein binding by the luminal membrane and subsequent endocytosis by the proximal tubule.

Role of the terminal complement pathway in experimental membranous nephropathy in the rabbit.

Abstract: Our recent observations of a complement-mediated, cell-independent mechanism of altered glomerular permeability in rat membranous nephropathy suggested a possible role for the terminal complement pathway in the mediation of proteinuria in certain forms of glomerular disease. To directly determine whether the membranolytic terminal complement components (C5b-C9) are involved in glomerular injury, we studied the development of proteinuria in normal and C6-deficient (C6D) rabbits, in both of which a membranous nephropathy-like lesion develops early in the course of immunization with cationized bovine serum albumin (cBSA) (pI 8.9-9.2). C6 hemolytic activity of C6D was 0.01% that of control rabbits. After 1 wk of daily intravenous injections of cBSA, proteinuria developed in 71% of controls (median 154, range 1-3,010 mg/24 h, n = 24), whereas none of C6D were proteinuric (median 6, range 2-12 mg/24 h, n = 12, P less than 0.01). After 1 wk of cBSA, both groups had qualitatively identical glomerular deposits of BSA, rabbit IgG, and C3 on immunofluorescence microscopy, predominantly subepithelial electron-dense deposits on electron microscopy, and minimal glomerular inflammatory cell infiltration of glomeruli. Glomeruli were isolated from individual animals after 1 wk of cBSA and deposits of rabbit IgG antibody were quantitated by a standardized in vitro assay using anti-rabbit IgG-125I. Rabbit IgG deposits were found to be similar in control (29.8 +/- 13.2, range 12.7-48.6 micrograms anti-IgG/2,000 glomeruli, n = 6) and C6D rabbits (32.6 +/- 13.8, range 16.8-48.8 micrograms anti-IgG/2,000 glomeruli, n = 5, P greater than 0.05). After 2 wk, coincident with a prominent influx of mononuclear cells and neutrophils, proteinuria developed in C6D rabbits. These results document, for the first time, a requirement for a terminal complement component in the development of immunologic glomerular injury. Since the only known action of C6 is in the assembly of the membrane attack complex, these observations suggest that the membranolytic properties of complement may contribute to glomerular damage.

Angiotensin II receptor regulation in isolated renal glomeruli.

Abstract: Equilibrium binding studies with angiotensin II (AII) in isolated rat renal glomeruli indicate the presence of a single population of high-affinity AII receptors. Autoradiographic studies localize these receptors to glomerular mesangial cells, which are ideally positioned to modulate glomerular capillary patency and hence the glomerular capillary ultrafiltration coefficient. Modulation of AII receptor density occurs in response to alterations of circulating AII levels, with down-regulation of receptor number in the presence of salt depletion. Kinetic studies of the ligand dissociation rate performed in the presence and absence of MgCl2 and GTP indicate multiple affinity states and suggest that this receptor is coupled to a guanyl nucleotide regulatory unit. Such coupling may provide a basis for interaction with cyclase-activating hormones in modulating the contractile state of the mesangium.

Anionic Sites and the Mechanisms of Proteinuria

Abstract: Proteinuria is the hallmark of glomerular injury, and the study of its mechanisms remains a subject of considerable interest. In recent years, physiologic, ultrastructural, immunochemical, and bioc...

Abnormal Regulation of Parathyroid Cell Secretion and Proliferation in Primary Cultures of Bovine Parathyroid Cells

Abstract: We developed a method for establishing primary monolayer cultures of bovine parathyroid cells, characterized the cells morphologically, and studied the effects of calcium on PTH secretion and cellular proliferation. Fresh bovine parathyroid glands were enzymatically and mechanically dispersed, as previously described, using sterile solutions and apparatus. The cells were then plated at a density of 2.5 X 10(5) cells/cm2 into cluster wells and incubated at 37 C in a medium containing Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's and Ham's F-12 medium, 15% newborn calf serum, Hepes, antibiotics, and insulin. In 3-4 days, a near-confluent monolayer of polygonal-shaped cells with less than 10% fibroblasts was achieved. Electron microscopy revealed a homogeneous cell population containing electron-dense secretory granules as well as abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, with no evidence of organelle swelling. Two parameters of cellular proliferation increased significantly in culture; viable cell number increased from 289,000 +/- 63,000 to 530,000 +/- 60,000 per well (P less than 0.02), and cellular protein increased from 40.00 +/- 1.40 to 177.60 +/- 57.10 micrograms/well (P less than 0.035). On an hourly basis, cultured cells showed a greater secretory rate than that of acutely dispersed cells (9.3 vs. 5.0 ng/10(5) cells X h, respectively). Unlike normal bovine parathyroid cells, however, high calcium concentrations inhibited PTH secretion only slightly (21.2 +/- 4.7%) and had no effect on cellular proliferation. Addition of the divalent cation ionophore A23187, on the other hand, inhibited PTH release by 50% or more, suggesting that the secretory apparatus is responsive to increases in the cytosolic calcium concentration. The present study reveals that bovine parathyroid cells in primary culture proliferate and secrete PTH in vitro. These cells display, however, a generalized decrease in sensitivity to the suppressive effects of extracellular calcium on hormonal secretion and cellular proliferation comparable to that of pathological parathyroid tissue. Thus, this cell culture system may provide a useful model for investigating the relationship between secretion and proliferation in normal and abnormal tissue.

Physical Interactions between Macromolecules and the Glomerular Filter

Abstract: Recent studies have focused attention on molecular factors other than steric hindrance that determine the permeability of the glomerular filter to macromolecules (Farquhar, 1978; Brenner et al., 1978; Rennke and Venkatachalam, 1977a; Rennke et al., 1978, Bohrer et al., 1978). Using tracer molecules of appropriate size, charge, and shape, it has been shown that glomerular permeability is markedly dependent on all of these molecular parameters. Thus, molecules of certain size, shape, and charge characteristics are excluded from the glomerular filtrate. The degree of exclusion is determined by physical interactions between molecules and the filtering membrane. Discussion of the basis for different types of filter-molecule interactions (i.e., pertaining to steric phenomena, electrostatic effects and molecular configuration) will form a large part of this review. The dynamics of glomerular blood flow and filtration also govern permeability. These considerations are treated elsewhere in this book.