Successive histochemical differentiation steps during postnatal development of the collecting duct in rabbit kidney

Ontogeny of the renal urotensin II system in the rat

Urotensin II (UII), a peptide hormone which influences glomerular filtration rate and urine concentration, and its receptor, UT, are expressed in the adult rat kidney. The ability of the kidney to reabsorb sodium and water starts to develop in utero and matures during early postnatal life in the rat, yet little is known about the ontogeny of the renal UII system. This study mapped renal expression of the urotensin system during the fetal and postnatal periods and determined renal activity of UII in the immature rat. Urotensin II peptide and mRNA were present in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat metanephroi from the earliest stage examined, embyonic day 19 (E19; rat gestation 22 days); levels increased to peak at 4 weeks of age. In contrast, UT protein and mRNA expression declined rapidly between E19 and birth and remained at a similar level postnatally. Infusion of rat UII [6-60 pmol min(-1) (100 g body weight)(-1)] or rat urotensin-related peptide [6 pmol min(-1) (100 g body weight)(-1)] in anaesthetized 4-week-old SD rats had no influence on measured renal parameters; however, infusion of UT antagonist, SB-706375 (0.01 mg kg(-1) min(-1)), provoked a pronounced diuresis [vehicle 23.5 ± 1.9 versus antagonist 75.3 ± 12.5 μl min(-1) (100 g body weight)(-1); P < 0.001] and natriuresis, accompanied by modest increases in effective renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate [vehicle 0.4 ± 0.1 versus antagonist 1.1 ± 0.2 ml min(-1) (100 g body weight)(-1); P < 0.0001] and a significant increase in fractional sodium excretion. These results indicate that the endogenous rat UII system may influence renal sodium and water excretion before the onset of full urine concentrating capacity in the SD rat.

Replication of segment-specific and intercalated cells in the mouse renal collecting system

The renal collecting system (CS) is composed of segment-specific (SS) and intercalated (IC) cells. The latter comprise at least two subtypes (type A and non-type A IC). The origin and maintenance of cellular heterogeneity in the CS is unclear. Among other hypotheses, it was proposed that one subtype of IC cells represents a stem cell population from which all cell types in the CS may arise. In the present study, we tested this stem cell hypothesis for the adult kidney by assessing DNA synthesis as a marker for cell replication. SS and IC cells were identified by their characteristic expressions of sodium- (epithelial sodium channel, Na-K-ATPase), water- (aquaporin-2) and acid/base- (H+ -ATPase, anion exchanger AE1) transporting proteins. Immunostaining for bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and for the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was used to reveal DNA synthesis in CS epithelium. BrdU- and PCNA-immunostaining as well as mitotic figures were seen in all subtypes of CS cells. Dividing cells retained the cell-type specific expression of marker molecules. Treatment of mice with bumetanide combined with a high oral salt intake, which increases the tubular salt load in the CS, profoundly increased the DNA-synthesis rate in SS and non-type A IC cells, but reduced it in type A IC cells. Thus, our data show that DNA synthesis and cell replication occur in each cell lineage of the CS and in differentiated cells. The replication rate in each cell type can be differently modulated by functional stimulation. Independent proliferation of each cell lineage might contribute to maintain the cellular heterogeneity of the CS of the adult kidney and may also add to the adaptation of the CS to altered functional requirements.

Transitional stages in the development of the rabbit renal collecting duct

The collecting duct (CD) epithelium of the mammalian kidney is an extraordinary structure with respect to its functional changes during development and its heterogeneous composition when matured. All of the different nephron epithelia of the mammalian kidney consist of one single cell type. In contrast, the differentiated CD is composed of at least three distinct cell types [principal, alpha intercalated-, and beta intercalated cells] that are responsible for the multiple physiological functions of this kidney compartment. During development the function of the CD changes: initially, the CD ampulla serves as an embryonic inducer, while the matured epithelium plays a key role in maintaining the homeostasis of body fluids. At present the process of CD maturation is not well understood. Neither the time course of development nor the morphogenic factors leading to the heterogeneously composed epithelium are known. In the present study the differentiation of the CD epithelium was investigated using newly developed monoclonal antibodies and well-characterized antisera. The morphological changes induced during differentiation were monitored by immunohistochemistry and scanning electron microscopy. The experiments were performed on neonatal and adult rabbit kidneys. Results obtained by light microscopical techniques and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the ampullary tip can be distinguished from the ampullary neck, as well as from the maturing CD. A number of proteins that were not detectable in the ampulla were detected in the neonatal CD and were found at even higher concentrations in the adult CD (PCD8, chloride/bicarbonate exchanger). Other proteins (PCD9) were downregulated during differentiation. For the first time the transient character of the differentiation stage of the neonatal CD could be demonstrated unequivocally. Furthermore, considerable heterogeneity in protein expression patterns (PCD6 and PCD9) was demonstrated within the beta IC cell population of the mature CD.

PCDAmp1, a new antigen at the interface of the embryonic collecting duct epithelium and the nephrogenic mesenchyme

In the neonatal rabbit kidney nephrogenesis is not yet terminated. The ampullar collecting duct epithelium acts as an inducer that generates the nephron anlagen, however, to date the morphogenic mechanisms involved are unknown. A presupposition for successful nephron induction is the close tissue interaction between the basal aspect of the ampullar collecting duct epithelium and the surrounding mesenchyme. To gain new insights in this area we raised monoclonal antibodies (mabs), to identify specific structures localized at the tissue interface. With the generated mab CDAmp1 we found an intensive immunohistochemical reaction between the basal aspect of the ampullar collecting duct epithelium and the mesenchyme. The label was most concentrated at the ampullar tip and continuously decreased in the shaft region. In the maturing collecting duct of the neonatal kidney and in the adult renal collecting duct no immunohistochemical reaction was found. The binding pattern of mab CDAmp1 is different from that of all known collecting duct cell markers and from antibodies against known basement membrane compounds such as laminin or collagen type IV. Under in vitro conditions immunoreactivity with mab CDAmp1 was obtained using embryonic collecting duct epithelia and perfusion culture. The antigen was present in specimens treated with Iscove's modified Dulbecco's Medium (IMDM) containing 10% fetal bovine serum. Omittance of serum or hormonal treatment with aldosterone, insulin or vitamin D3 led to the disappearance of the newly detected antigen, while characteristics of the differentiated collecting duct cells were up-regulated. We conclude that the expression of PCDAmp1 is a characteristic feature of the embryonic parts of the collecting duct epithelium. It may play a pivotal role during nephron induction.

Hensin, a new collecting duct protein involved in the in vitro plasticity of intercalated cell polarity

Two forms of intercalated cells are present in kidney collecting tubules, the alpha cell has apical endocytosis, apical H+-ATPase and basolateral band 3, while beta cells have reversed polarity of these proteins and no apical endocytosis. When a beta cell line was seeded at high density, it changed into the alpha form. We previously showed that a partially purified 230 kD extracellular matrix protein of high density cells was able to retarget band 3 from apical to basolateral domains and stimulated apical endocytosis in vitro (Van Adelsberg, J., J.C. Edwards, J. Takito, B. Kiss, and Q. Al-Awqati. 1994. Cell. 76:1053-1061). We now purify this protein, which was named hensin, to near homogeneity and find that it belongs to the macrophage scavenger receptor cysteine rich (SRCR) family. An antibody, generated against a fusion protein made from a partial cDNA recognized a 230-kD protein in rabbit kidney and in the intercalated cell line. In vitro, the hensin antibody inhibited expression of apical endocytosis. Hensin was secreted in a polarized manner and bound to the basolateral membrane and extracellular matrix. Immunohistochemistry of the kidney showed that it was expressed only in collecting tubules. Double immunofluorescence with hensin and peanut lectin, H+-ATPase, or band 3 showed many patterns; most alpha-cells had hensin staining while 50% of beta-cells did not. These results suggest that hensin may also be involved in the polarity reversal of intercalated cells in vivo.

Plasticity in epithelial polarity of renal intercalated cells: targeting of the H(+)-ATPase and band 3

The intercalated cell is an epithelial cell of the renal collecting tubule that is specialized for H+ and HCO3- transport. These cells exist as two types, alpha and beta. The alpha-cell secretes H+ into the lumen by an apical H(+)-ATPase and a basolateral Cl-/HCO3- exchanger that is a form of band 3 protein (AE1). The beta-cell secretes HCO3- into the lumen by an apical Cl-/HCO3- exchanger and a basolateral H(+)-ATPase. In a previous study, it was suggested that a reversal in epithelial polarity of these cells occurs during the response of the kidney to an acid load (G.J. Schwartz, J. Barasch, and Q. Al-Awqati. Nature Lond. 318: 368-371, 1985). Recent studies, however have shown that there are many other subtypes where the distribution of these two proteins does not fit into this neat bipolar classification. This group of investigators recently generated an immortalized cell line of the beta-intercalated cell and found that the apical Cl-/HCO3- exchanger is also AE1. Furthermore, when these cells were seeded at high densities, the polarized targeting of the apical band 3 was reversed to the basolateral membrane. This was produced by the secretion of extracellular matrix protein that by themselves were capable of reversing the polarity of band 3 (J. S. van Adelsberg, J. C. Edwards, J. Takito, B. Kiss, and Q. Al-Awqati. Cell 76: 1053-1061, 1995). A large new extracellular matrix protein, hensin, was identified and found to be present exclusively in the collecting tubule. The extensive recent literature on the biology of alpha- and beta-intercalated cells is reviewed here and found to be compatible with the idea of the reversal of polarity as a mechanism for the regulation of H+ secretion by the tubule.

Postnatal differentiation of rabbit collecting duct intercalated cells

The newborn has a limited ability to regulate H+/HCO3- homeostasis, due in part to immaturity of the intercalated cells in the distal nephron. We traced the postnatal differentiation of the intercalated cells of the rabbit cortical collecting duct (CCD) and outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD) using MAb to the 31-kD subunit of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase, membrane portion of erythrocyte band 3, and apical surface of B-intercalated cells (peanut agglutinin [PNA], MAb B63). In the most superficial CCD of the newborn there was no binding to these probes, although deeper in the cortex there was faint apical staining with PNA and MAb B63 and a few patterns of H(+)-ATPase and band 3 labeling of neonatal intercalated cells. The OMCD showed mostly apical H(+)-ATPase and both cytoplasmic and basolateral band 3 labeling but B-intercalated cell markers were not seen. By 3 wk of age the staining of the CCD and OMCD was more polarized, resembling those in the adult. Band 3 positive cells (as a percentage of total cells) in the CCD increased from 13 to 17% during maturation, and in the OMCD they increased from 22 to 37%. Some basolateral band 3 and apical H(+)-ATPase staining was also seen in the inner medullary collecting duct of 3-wk-old rabbits to a greater extent than in newborn or adult rabbits. Labeling of intercalated cells in the CCD and OMCD was weakest and least numerous in the newborn, greater in the 3 wk old, and greatest in the adult. Most maturing cortical intercalated cells bound both PNA and H(+)-ATPase MAb, comparable to what has been observed in the adult CCD. PNA-negative cells showing apical H(+)-ATPase labeling, consistent with the classic A-intercalated cell phenotype, comprised only 5% of identified intercalated cells in the newborn CCD compared with 12% in older animals. In or near the developing renal vesicles and ampullary structures were occasional cytoplasmically staining PNA- and B63-positive cells. Whether these cells are precursors of specific renal tubular cells cannot yet be established. Staining for principal cells (ST.9) was less intense in the neonatal cortex than in more mature cortex, but the deep cortex and outer medulla were heavily labeled at all ages. These data indicate that immature intercalated cells, in the CCD and OMCD, may undergo significant postnatal proliferation and differentiation, acquiring mature phenotypes during the first month of life. The A-intercalated cell appears more differentiated than the B cell during the 1st wk of life, suggesting that A-intercalated cells contribute more than B cells to the maintenance of acid-base homeostasis in the newborn.

Developmental expression of acid-base-related proteins in the rabbit kidney

The newborn is limited in its ability to respond to acid-base perturbations. To investigate the development of renal H+/HCO3- transport mechanisms, we probed acid-base-related epitopes in the mesonephric and developing metanephric kidneys of rabbits. Using immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies to the vacuolar H+ATPase, band 3-like Cl-/HCO3- exchanger, and apical surface of fully differentiated beta-intercalated cells, and peanut lectin cytochemistry (another marker of beta-intercalated cells), we found that these epitopes were poorly expressed in the nephrogenic zone of the newborn kidney cortex. Deeper in the cortex, collecting ducts showed weak apical staining with beta-intercalated cell antibodies and two patterns of staining with the H+ATPase and band 3 antibodies: polar and circumferential or diffuse. Some cells showed apical staining with H+ATPase while others showed diffuse staining, similar to that observed in the mature cortical collecting duct. Band 3 labeling was basolateral, as observed in the adult, and diffuse, which was rarely seen in mature kidney sections. Newborn outer medullary collecting ducts showed apical labeling with H+ATPase and basolateral staining with band 3 antibodies, similar to the mature outer medulla. Surprisingly, the mesonephric collecting tubule showed cells with apical H+ATPase staining or basolateral band 3 labeling and, less frequently, cells with positive staining for beta-intercalated cells. The relative maturity of the mesonephric collecting tubule and similarity to what is observed in mature metanephric collecting ducts indicates that intercalated cells may be present and functioning in both organs. Thus, the lineage of intercalated cells may be more intricate than previously believed.

Aldosterone modulates PNA binding cell isoforms within renal collecting duct epithelium

To investigate the differentiation of the ampullary collecting duct cells into adult principal and intercalated cells, the embryonic cortex of newborn New Zealand rabbit kidney was isolated and brought in culture. With this culture technique the ampullary cells formed a polarized collecting duct epithelium which was kept under permanent exchange of medium and in the presence of aldosterone, arginine vasopressin and/or insulin. After 14 days of perfusion culture the epithelia showed light and dark cells resembling the principal and intercalated cells of the adult collecting duct. The differentiation from embryonic into adult collecting duct cells was controlled by applying the monoclonal antibody CD 7. Independent of the hormonal treatment all of the epithelial cells matured in culture and expressed the CD 7 antigen. This corresponded with the situation found within the adult kidney, where the CD 7 antigen was localized in all principal and intercalated (IC) cells, whereas the embryonic ampullary epithelium in the neonatal kidney remained negative. A differentiation feature of the beta-type intercalated cell was investigated by labeling the cultured epithelia with peanut agglutinin (PNA). In contrast to the CD 7 antigen the development of PNA binding was highly dependent of time and individual hormone administration. While in control epithelia only 8% of PNA positive cells were found, aldosterone induced epithelia revealed 72% PNA labeled cells. The combination of aldosterone and insulin increased the number of PNA-positive cells to 90%. By scanning electron microscopy it could further be shown that several isoforms of cells were reactive with PNA. Thus, in culture the PNA label is not restricted to the typical beta-type IC cells.

Histochemical markers reveal an unexpected heterogeneous composition of the renal embryonic collecting duct epithelium

The ampullary collecting duct epithelium acts as an inductor in the embryonic and neonatal kidney. It induces the formation of all nephron generations and thus determines the whole architecture of the kidney. As the organ matures, the collecting duct epithelium itself transdifferentiates. The ampullary inductor epithelium, which appears homogeneous as revealed by light microscopy, develops into the well-known heterogeneous epithelium of the mature collecting duct consisting of light principal and dark intercalated cells. Up to now the mechanisms initiating and regulating this transdifferentiation step are unknown. Only very few data are available concerning functional characteristics of the ampullary epithelial cells of neonatal rabbit kidney. Therefore, a characterization of the collecting duct ampullary cells was carried out by means of immunohistological techniques using a set of different monoclonal antibodies and the lectin peanut agglutinin. All epithelial cells within the ampullary tip and neck were positive for cytokeratin 19, an intermediate filament protein. On the other hand, the monoclonal antibody CD 7 revealed a clear cut boundary between the ampullary neck and the ampullary tip region. Furthermore, after incubation with the monoclonal antibody BO-7 specifically reacting with intercalated cells of the mature collecting duct, both labeled and unlabeled cells were observed within the whole ampullary epithelium. These results were confirmed by scanning electron microscopical investigations which revealed two distinct epithelial cell populations. Thus, an unexpected heterogeneity of the ampullary epithelium could be demonstrated.

Endothelin-1 blunts transepithelial transport and differentiation of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells

We investigated the effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, a cell line originating from the renal collecting duct. The activity of transepithelial transport was assessed as the rate of dome formation in monolayers grown on solid support. The pH value of the dome fluid (dome pH) was measured by means of pH-selective microelectrodes. Differentiation of monolayer cells was estimated as the peanut-lectin(PNA)-binding capacity of the apical membrane. Confluent monolayers were incubated for 12-72 h in serum-free medium at various concentrations of ET-1. Exposure to 1 nmol/l ET-1 reduced dome formation by a maximum of 41 +/- 8% (n = 4; P less than 0.02) after 24 h. ET-1 (10 nmol/l; 24 h) decreased dome pH from 7.52 +/- 0.02 (n = 53) to 7.36 +/- 0.03 (n = 51; P less than 0.02). Apical application of amiloride (1 mmol/l) reduced dome pH in both ET-1-treated and non-treated domes to essentially the same level, 7.25 +/- 0.03 (n = 19) and 7.23 +/- 0.03 (n = 17) respectively. ET-1 (10 nmol/l; 24 h) reduced PNA-binding capacity by 19 +/- 3% (n = 5; P less than 0.02). Moreover, ET-1 prevented the increase in PNA binding (+ 53 +/- 7%; n = 5) induced by 0.1 mumol/l aldosterone. We conclude that ET-1 inhibits transepithelial transport and PNA binding via inhibition of apical Na+/H+ exchange, thus antagonizing aldosterone action in MDCK cells.

Patchy accumulation of apical Na+ transporters allows cross talk between extracellular space and cell nucleus

Intracellular Na+ activities and local current densities were measured in fused Madin-Darby canine kidney cells using Na+ and voltage-sensing microelectrodes. Na+ that enters the cell across the apical plasma membrane accumulates initially in the nucleoplasm, several seconds ahead of its appearance in the cell cytoplasm. The spatial distribution of Na+ currents, produced by a local superfusion of the cell surface, indicates a nonuniform, patchy accumulation of apical Na+ transporters in the vicinity of the nucleus. Such pathways for direct Na+ flux between extracellular space and cell nucleus could be potentially important for gene activation.

Hypotonic stress-induced release of KHCO3 in fused renal epitheloid (MDCK) cells

Mechanisms of cell volume regulation induced by the reduction of the osmolality of the Ringer solution by one-third were studied in fused Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Intracellular HCO3-, K+ and Cl- concentrations [ion]i in parallel with cell membrane potential (PD), cell membrane conductance (Gm) and conductances of individual ions (Gmion) were evaluated with microelectrode techniques. Fused cells regulate their cell volume by about 50%. Gm increased from 0.43 +/- 0.03 mS/cm2 in isotonic Ringer solution to 4.3 +/-0.3 mS/cm2 in the steady state phase of cell swelling. GmCl was 0.31 +/- 0.03 mS/cm2 in isotonic Ringer solution and thus was the dominant individual ion conductance. In the initial phase of cell swelling GmK increased transiently 64-fold to 0.32 +/- 0.03 mS/cm2, and consequently PD hyperpolarized. At peak hyperpolarization GmCl transiently decreased by 15%. Cell swelling increased GmCl 11-fold and GmHCO3 28-fold to 0.95 +/- 0.1 mS/cm2 in the steady state phase of cell swelling. In this phase GmCl and GmHCO3 were dominating, whereas GmK was only slightly increased compared to isotonic conditions. The hyperpolarization of PD was paralleled by cytoplasmic acidification. At peak acidification [HCO3-]i decreased by 6.4 mmol/kg H2O. Cl- extrusion was not detectable in the initial phase of cell swelling. In isotonic Ringer solution [K+]i was 125 +/- 5 mmol/kg H2O. During the initial phase of cell swelling 23 +/- 5 mmol/kg H2O K+ was extruded, indicating that yet unknown anions participated in cell volume regulation in this phase of cell swelling. In the steady state phase of cell swelling [pH]i was normalized by replenishing [HCO3-]i, whereas Cl- was extruded. We conclude that fused renal epitheloid cells acutely release KHCO3 in response to hypotonicity, but then regain pH homeostasis in the steady state phase of cell swelling.

Successive lectin-binding changes within the collecting duct during post-natal development of the rabbit kidney

Histological sections of neonatal rabbit kidney of various ages were analysed to study the ontogeny of the collecting duct system. In addition, the sections were incubated with fluorescent wheat germ (WGA) and peanut agglutinin (PNA) to investigate the terminal differentiation of collecting duct cells. With both lectins we found different binding behaviours in the three segments of the collecting duct anlagen, the ampullary bud, the ampullary neck and the collecting duct. During the observed steps in development the lectin-binding pattern in the collecting duct and the ampullary neck appeared unchanged. In the collecting duct most cells reacted with WGA and only a few with PNA, while in the ampullary neck all cells bound both WGA and PNA. In the ampullary bud, however, the lectin-binding pattern changed between unlabelled and completely labelled stages with both lectins. The results indicate that both intercalated and principal cells originate from a common precursor cell.