The effect of L-type Ca2+ channel blockers on anoxia-induced increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration in rabbit proximal tubule cells in primary culture

Metabolic inhibition-induced transient Ca2+ increase depends on mitochondria in a human proximal renal cell line

During ischemia or hypoxia an increase in intracellular cytosolic Ca(2+) induces deleterious events but is also implicated in signaling processes triggered in such conditions. In MDCK cells (distal tubular origin), it was shown that mitochondria confer protection during metabolic inhibition (MI), by buffering the Ca(2+) overload via mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX). To further assess this process in cells of human origin, human cortical renal epithelial cells (proximal tubular origin) were subjected to MI and changes in cytosolic Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)), Na(+), and ATP concentrations were monitored. MI was accomplished with both antimycin A and 2-deoxyglucose and induced a 3.5-fold increase in [Ca(2+)](i), reaching 136.5 +/- 15.8 nM in the first 3.45 min. Subsequently [Ca(2+)](i) dropped and stabilized to 62.7 +/- 7.3 nM by 30 min. The first phase of the transient increase was La(3+) sensitive, not influenced by diltiazem, and abolished when mitochondria were deenergized with the protonophore carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone. The subsequent recovery phase was impaired in a Na(+)-free medium and weakened when the mitochondrial NCX was blocked with 7-chloro-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,5-dihydro-4,1-benzothiazepin-2(3H)-one (CGP-37157). Thus Ca(2+) entry is likely mediated by store-operated Ca(2+) channels and depends on energized mitochondria, whereas [Ca(2+)](i) recovery relied partially on the activity of mitochondrial NCX. These results indicate a possible mitochondrial-mediated signaling process triggered by MI, support the hypothesis that mitochondrial NCX has an important role in the Ca(2+) clearance, and overall suggest that mitochondria play a preponderant role in the regulation of responses to MI in human renal epithelial cells.

Role of multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2) in glutathione-bimane efflux from Caco-2 and rat renal proximal tubule cells

1. The multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2) has been shown to play an important role in the transport of glutathione conjugates in the liver. Its importance in renal excretion, however, is still uncertain and other organic anion transporters may be involved. The objective of the present study was to characterize glutathione conjugate efflux from rat kidney proximal tubule cells (PTC), and to determine the contribution of Mrp2. 2. We used isolated PTC in suspension, as well as grown to monolayer density. For comparison, transport characteristics were also determined in the human intestinal epithelial cell line Caco-2, an established model to study MRP2-mediated transport. The cells were loaded with monochlorobimane (MCB) at 10 degrees C. MCB enters the cells by simple diffusion and is conjugated with glutathione to form the fluorescent glutathione-bimane (GS-B). 3. In primary cultures of rat PTC, no indications for a transporter-mediated mechanism were found. The efflux of GS-B from Caco-2 cells and freshly isolated PTC was time- and temperature-dependent. Furthermore, GS-B transport in both models was inhibited by chlorodinitrobenzene (CDNB), with an inhibitory constant of 46.8+/-0.9 microM in freshly isolated PTC. In Caco-2 cells, the inhibitory potency of CDNB was approximately 20 fold higher. Finally, efflux of GS-B from freshly isolated PTC from Mrp2-deficient (TR(-)) rats was studied. As compared to normal rat PTC, transport characteristics were not different. 4. We conclude that in freshly isolated rat PTC glutathione conjugate excretion is mediated by other organic anion transporters rather than by Mrp2.

Hypoxia decreases calcium influx into rat proximal tubules

Renal ischemia results in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion, particularly in cells of the proximal tubule (PT), which rely heavily on oxidative phosphorylation for energy supply. Lack of ATP leads to a disturbance in intracellular homeostasis of Na+, K+ and Cl-. Also, cytosolic Ca2+ levels in renal PTs may increase during hypoxia [1], presumably by a combination of impaired extrusion and enhanced influx [2]. However, Ca2+ influx was previously measured using radiolabeled Ca2+ and at varying partial oxygen tension [2]. We have now used to Mn2(+)-induced quenching of fura-2 fluorescence to study Ca2+ influx in individual rat PTs during normoxic and hypoxic superfusion. Normoxic Ca2+ influx was indeed reflected by the Mn2+ quenching of fura-2 fluorescence and this influx could be inhibited by the calcium entry blocker methoxyverapamil (D600; inhibition 50 +/- 2% and 35 +/- 3% for 10 and 100 mumol, respectively). La3+ completely blocked normoxic Ca2+ influx. Hypoxic superfusion or rat PTs did not induce an increase in Ca2+ influx, but reduced this influx to 79 +/- 3% of the normoxic control. We hypothesize that reducing Ca2+ influx during hypoxia provides the cell with a means to prevent cellular Ca2+ overload during ATP-depletion, where Ca2+ extrusion is limited.

Diverse cytoprotectants prevent cell lysis and promote recovery of respiration and ion transport

Numerous agents have been reported to prevent cell lysis. However, little information is available concerning the ability of cytoprotectants to promote the return of physiological functions. The goal of this study was to determine whether a diverse group of cytoprotectants prevent cell lysis and promote the recovery of respiration and ion transport following anoxia (60 min)/reoxygenation (60 min) in rabbit renal proximal tubule (RPT) suspensions. Cell lysis (LDH release) was determined immediately following the anoxic and reoxygenation periods. Mitochondrial function (basal respiration) and active Na+ transport (ouabain-sensitive respiration) was determined after the reoxygenation period. LDH release increased to 75 +/- 11% after the anoxic period and did not increase further during the reoxygenation period. LDH release in controls was 6 +/- 1% and did not vary over time. Glycine (2 mM), strychnine (1 mM), nifedipine (100 microM) and niflumic acid (100 microM) added immediately prior to the anoxic period completely blocked LDH release. All cytoprotectants increased basal respiration from 39 +/- 7% of controls in the anoxic samples to 65-77% of controls. Glycine, strychnine and nifedipine increased ouabain-sensitive respiration from 10 +/- 3% of controls in anoxic samples to 51-77% of control. Niflumic acid did not increase ouabain-sensitive respiration. These results demonstrate that glycine, strychnine and nifedipine are "true' cytoprotectants preventing both cell lysis and promoting the recovery of mitochondrial function and ion transport after an anoxic insult.

Influence of trifluoperazine and verapamil on the isolated perfused rat kidney

1. Isolated rat filtering kidneys were perfused with Ringer bicarbonate solutions containing either trifluoperazine (TFP, 50 microM) or verapamil (VER, 100 microM) to prevent tissue dysfunctions observed during perfusion. 2. Water, sodium and chloride kidney contents diminished under both treatments as compared with control preparations, and potassium content increased. 3. When albumin concentration was increased (10 g%) in the perfusion medium (nonfiltering kidney preparation) these effects of TFP or VER were not observed. 4. Lipid peroxidation and LDH release diminished significantly under 50 microM TFP but only slightly under 100 microM VER.

Measuring volume perturbation of proximal tubular cells in primary culture with three different techniques

Osmotic cell volume perturbations of rabbit proximal tubule (PT) in primary culture were measured using three independent techniques. Automatic cell thickness monitoring of PT monolayers revealed that cell volume rapidly increased by 39 +/- 2% in hypotonic medium (150 mosM), which was followed by partial regulatory volume decrease (RVD). Subsequent incubation in hypertonic medium (500 mosM) rapidly decreased cell volume by 54 +/- 2% not followed by regulatory volume increase (RVI). When cell volume in PT monolayers was derived from concentration changes in the trapped fluorescent dyes, fura 2 or 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, osmotically induced cell volume changes appeared much smaller (17 +/- 1 and 22 +/- 2% for similar hypo- and hypertonicity, respectively). However, changes in fluorescence intensity were most often not in agreement with anticipated cell volume changes. With the Coulter counter, a much larger shift in cell volume was observed in PT cell suspensions. In this situation, cell swelling in hypotonic medium amounted to 74 +/- 2% but was still followed by partial RVD. Hypertonicity resulted in a decrease in cell volume of 42 +/- 3% not followed by RVI. In conclusion, our study indicates that automatic cell thickness monitoring of an epithelial cell layer cultured on a permeable support provides more reliable data than monitoring changes in fluorescence intensity of trapped dyes.

Cellular acidification occurs during anoxia in cultured, but not in freshly isolated, rabbit proximal tubular cells

In a variety of cells it has been shown that acidosis is protective against anoxic injury. We have demonstrated previously that proximal tubule (PT) cells in primary culture were more resistant to anoxia-induced cell injury than were freshly isolated cells. Therefore, we asked the question of whether a difference in cellular acidification during anoxia could explain this difference in susceptibility to anoxia. To answer this question, intracellular pH (pHi) was measured during anoxic incubation of PT cells in culture and those that were freshly isolated. PT cells were incubated in an anoxic chamber at 37 degrees C after loading with 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein acetoxymethyl ester (BCECF-AM) or fura-2 acetoxymethyl ester (fura-2-AM). pHi and cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) were measured by digital imaging fluorescence microscopy. During anoxia, pHi in cultured PT cells decreased from 7.3 +/- 0.1 to 6.8 +/- 0.1, whereas pHi in freshly isolated cells did not decrease significantly. In addition, the intrinsic buffering capacities (beta i) in cultured and freshly isolated PT cells were determined and turned out to be the same at a pHi greater than or equal to 7.3. Below pHi 7.3, beta i increased several fold in freshly isolated PT cells, and rose to significantly higher levels than in cultured PT cells. During 1 h of anoxia, cell viability of freshly isolated PT cells decreased significantly to 54% +/- 2% (P < 0.05), while no loss in viability was observed in cultured PT cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Copper toxicity in cultured human skeletal muscle cells: the involvement of Na+/K(+)-ATPase and the Na+/Ca(2+)-exchanger

Copper (Cu2+) intoxication has been shown to induce pathological changes in various tissues. The mechanism underlying Cu2+ toxicity is still unclear. It has been suggested that the Na+/K(+)-ATPase and/or a change of the membrane permeability may be involved. In this study we examined the effects of Cu2+ on the Na+ and Ca2+ homeostasis of cultured human skeletal muscle cells using the ion-selective fluorescent probes Na(+)-binding benzofuran isophatalate (SBFI) and Fura-2, respectively. In addition, we measured the effect of Cu2+ on the Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity. Cu2+ and ouabain increase the cytoplasmic free Na+ concentration ([Na+]i). Subsequent addition of Cu2+ after ouabain does not affect the rate of [Na+]i increase. Cu2+ inhibits the Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity with an IC50 of 51 microM. The cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) remains unaffected for more than 10 min after the administration of Cu2+. Thereafter, [Ca2+]i increases as a result of the Na+/Ca(2+)-exchanger operating in the reversed mode. The effects of Cu2+ on the Na+ homeostasis are reversed by the reducing and chelating agent dithiothreitol and the heavy metal chelator N,N,N',N'-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN). In conclusion, SBFI is a good tool to examine Na+ homeostasis in cultured human skeletal muscle cells. Under the experimental conditions used, Cu2+ does not modify the general membrane permeability, but inhibits the Na+/K(+)-pump leading to an increase of [Na+]i. As a consequence the operation mode of the Na+/Ca(2+)-exchanger reverses and [Ca2+]i rises.

Effects of substrate-free anoxia and veratridine on intracellular calcium concentration in isolated rat ventricular cardiomyocytes

Cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured in freshly isolated rat ventricular cardiomyocytes during substrate-free anoxia. Cardiomyocytes were loaded with fura-2 and incubated in an anoxic chamber in which a pO2 equal to 0 mmHg was realized by inclusion of Oxyrase. [Ca2+]i was measured in individual cells using digital imaging fluorescence microscopy. During anoxia, the shape of cardiomyocytes changed from a relaxed-elongated form into a rigor configuration within 15 min after the onset of anoxia. After the cells had developed the rigor state, a delayed rise in [Ca2+]i reached a stable maximal level within 45 min. The mean values for the pre-anoxic and maximal anoxic [Ca2]i were 52 +/- 3 nM (N = 42) and 2115 +/- 59 nM (N = 45), respectively. The purported Na+ overload blocker R 56865, significantly reduced maximal anoxic [Ca2+]i to 533 +/- 56 nM (P < 0.05), implicating a role of elevated intracellular Na+ in the anoxia-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. Veratridine (30 microM), with induces Na+ overload, increased [Ca2+]i to 787 +/- 39 nM. The compound R 56865 reduced veratridine-induced increases in [Ca2+]i to 152 +/- 38 nM. Upon reperfusion, after 45 min of anoxia, two distinct responses were observed. Most often, [Ca2+]i decreased upon reperfusion without a change in morphology or viability, while in the minority of cases, [Ca2+]i increased further followed by hypercontraction and loss of cell viability. The mean value for [Ca2+]i 10 min after reperfusion of the former group, was 752 +/- 46 nM (N = 38).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anoxia-induced increases in intracellular calcium concentration in primary cultures of rabbit thick ascending limb of Henle's loop

The effect of anoxia on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in primary cultures of medullary (mTAL) and cortical (cTAL) thick ascending limb of Henle's loop was investigated. Previously, we reported a method to monitor [Ca2+]i continuously in cultured proximal tubule cells during 1 h of anoxic incubation in the absence of glycolytic substrates [1]. Complete absence of O2 was realised by inclusion of a mixture of oxygenases in an anoxic chamber. As a result of substrate-free anoxia, [Ca2+]i started to rise in individual cells of mTAL and cTAL monolayers and reached maximal levels within 60 min after starting the anoxic incubation. Anoxia induced significant increases in [Ca2+]i from 76 +/- 1 (n = 176) to 469 +/- 18 nM (n = 203) in mTAL monolayers and from 58 +/- 1 (n = 91) to 442 +/- 27 nM (n = 106) in cTAL monolayers (P < 0.05). At the re-introduction of oxygen and glucose, elevated [Ca2+]i rapidly declined to 110 +/- 4 (n = 167) and 105 +/- 5 nM (n = 87) in mTAL and cTAL, respectively (P < 0.05). Removal of extracellular Ca2+ and addition of 0.1 mM La3+ partially prevented anoxia-induced increases in [Ca2+]i in both cell types. The L-type Ca2+ channel blocker D600 (1 microM) was as effective as Ca2+ removal and La3+ addition. Comparing mTAL and cTAL cells, only one difference was consistently observed. Prevention of Ca2+ influx by exposure to La3+ combined with Ca2+ removal or addition of 1 microM D600 had a greater inhibitory effect on anoxic [Ca2+]i values in mTAL than in cTAL monolayers, indicative of a larger role of Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels in anoxia-induced increases in [Ca2+]i in the former cell type. In conclusion, substrate-free anoxia reversibly increases [Ca2+]i in primary cultures of cTAL and mTAL, which results from Ca2+ release from stores as well as from Ca2+ influx via D600-sensitive Ca2+ channels.

Effects of Ca2+ channel blockers, low Ca2+ medium and glycine on cell Ca2+ and injury in anoxic rabbit proximal tubules

L-type Ca2+ channel blockers (CCBs) have been shown to be protective against ischemia-induced injury of the kidney, suggesting that increased intracellular Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) play an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic cell injury. To assess the role of [Ca2+]i in anoxic injury of the proximal tubule (PT) and the protective effect of CCBs, digital imaging fluorescence microscopy was used to monitor [Ca2+]i in individual PT cells during 60 minutes of anoxia. [Ca2+]i started to rise within 10 minutes and reached maximal levels between 30 to 45 minutes of anoxia. The onset of this increase and the maximal levels reached varied markedly among individual cells. The mean values for initial and maximal anoxic [Ca2+]i were 109 +/- 2 (N = 209) and 422 +/- 14 (N = 240) nM, respectively. Methoxyverapamil (D600; 1 microM) significantly reduced anoxic [Ca2+]i to 122 +/- 5 nM (P < 0.05; N = 79). Removal of extracellular Ca2+ completely abolished anoxia-induced increases in [Ca2+]i, confirming that these increases in [Ca2+]i result from Ca2+ influx. During 60 minutes of anoxia, PT cells showed a gradual decrease in cell viability to 54 +/- 2%. D600 (1 microM) significantly increased cell viability to 64 +/- 3% (P < 0.05). Glycine (5 mM), however, increased cell viability to 77 +/- 4% without a significant reduction in anoxic [Ca2+]i levels. Low Ca2+ medium only protected when 0.1 mM La3+ was included, a condition which increased cell viability to 82 +/- 5%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)