A microelectrode for continuous recording of volume fluxes in isolated perfused tubule segments

In vivo and ex vivo analysis of tubule function

Analysis of tubule function with in vivo and ex vivo approaches has been instrumental in revealing renal physiology. This work allows assignment of functional significance to known gene products expressed along the nephron, primary of which are proteins involved in electrolyte transport and regulation of these transporters. Not only we have learned much about the key roles played by these transport proteins and their proper regulation in normal physiology but also the combination of contemporary molecular biology and molecular genetics with in vivo and ex vivo analysis opened a new era of discovery informative about the root causes of many renal diseases. The power of in vivo and ex vivo analysis of tubule function is that it preserves the native setting and control of the tubule and proteins within tubule cells enabling them to be investigated in a "real-life" environment with a high degree of precision. In vivo and ex vivo analysis of tubule function continues to provide a powerful experimental outlet for testing, evaluating, and understanding physiology in the context of the novel information provided by sequencing of the human genome and contemporary genetic screening. These tools will continue to be a mainstay in renal laboratories as this discovery process continues and as we continue to identify new gene products functionally compromised in renal disease.

A rapid enzymatic method for the isolation of defined kidney tubule fragments from mouse

The increasing number of available genetically manipulated mice makes it necessary to develop tools and techniques for examining the phenotypes of these animals. We have developed a straightforward and rapid method for the isolation of large quantities of single tubule fragments from the mouse kidney. Immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy were used to evaluate the viability, functional characteristics, and morphology of proximal tubules (PT), and collecting ducts from cortex (CCD) and inner stripe of the outer medulla (ISOMCD). Tubules were isolated using a modified collagenase digestion technique, and selected under light microscopy for experimentation. Electron microscopy and trypan blue exclusion showed that a large portion of unselected proximal tubules were damaged by the digestion procedure. The selected tubules, however, all excluded trypan blue, indicating that the plasma membrane had remained intact. Immunocytochemistry on isolated CCD showed normal distribution of H(+)-ATPase, pendrin, and anion exchanger-1 (AE-1) staining. The pH-sensitive dye 2',7'-bis(2-carboxylethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) was used to measure Na(+)-dependent and -independent intracellular pH (pH(i)) recovery rates in PT, and in single intercalated cells of CCD and ISOMCD fragments. Na(+)-dependent pH(i)-recovery was 0.144+/-0.008 (PT), 0.182+/-0.013 (CCD), and 0.112+/-0.010 pH units/min. (ISOMCD). Na(+)-independent pH(i) recovery was found in all three segments (PT: 0.021+/-0.002, CCD: 0.037+/-0.002, ISOMCD: 0.033+/-0.002 pH units/min) and was sensitive to concanamycin. In summary, we have developed a new technique for rapid and straightforward preparation of large quantities of defined tubule fragments from mouse kidney. Using this technique, the first measurements of plasma membrane vacuolar H(+)-ATPase activities in mouse PT and collecting duct were made. This technique will facilitate further characterization of kidney function in normal and genetically manipulated animals.

A microelectrode for continuous monitoring of redox activity in isolated perfused tubule segments

The design and application of a micro-plantinum electrode for continuous monitoring of reducing activity in the isolated tubule preparation is described. The electrodes response to H2O2 up to 0.1 mmol/l, to uric acid up to 0.3 mmol/l, ascorbic acid up to 1.0 mmol/l and cysteine up to 2.0 mmol/l is almost linear. The electrode is insensitive to extracellular ions, to changes of pH (5.5-8.0), CO2 (1-10%) and O2 (1-100%). The reading of the electrodes is almost doubled when the temperature is increased from 20-40 degrees C. When reducing substances are omitted from the perfusate for isolated perfused proximal tubules of the mouse, the reading is identical in perfusate and collected fluid, indicating that the tubular epithelium does not produce redox substances in sufficient amount to interfere with the electrode reading at flow rates approximately 10 nl/min. When the tubule is perfused with solutions containing 0.3 mmol/l uric acid, the uric acid concentration in the collected fluid is 0.16 +/- 0.01 mmol/l after a contact time of 1.36 +/- 0.1 S, revealing net uric acid reabsorption. Adding probenecid to the luminal perfusion fluid leads to a 37.5 +/- 1.0% increase of uric acid concentration in collected fluid, disclosing the inhibitory effect of probenecid on uric acid reabsorption. If 0.3 mmol/l uric acid is added to the bath, 0.017 +/- 0.002 mmol/l uric acid is detected in the luminal fluid. The entry of uric acid into the lumen is abolished by 10(-4) mol/l pyrazinamide.

A microelectrode for continuous monitoring of glucose concentration in isolated perfused tubule segments

The design and the application of a micro-enzyme-electrode for continuous monitoring of glucose concentration in the isolated tubule preparation is described. The principle of the electrode is the amperometric detection of hydrogen peroxide, which is a product of the oxidation of D-glucose by glucose oxidase immobilized at the tip of a micro-electrode. The resulting current causes a voltage deflection across a resistor in series with the electrode that is correlated directly with the glucose concentration. The electrode response to glucose is almost linear over the concentration range from 0 to 12 mmol/l with a slightly diminished slope in the higher range. Other sugars (12 mmol/l raffinose, galactose, fructose, sucrose, mannitol), pH (from 6.5 to 8.0) and pCO2 (from 1 to 10 kPa) do not influence the reading. A reduction of pO2 in the test solution to 1 kPa blunts the reading. Raising the temperature from 20 degrees C to 40 degrees C leads to a pronounced increase of the voltage deflection at a given glucose concentration. Interference is observed with strongly reducing agents such as L-cysteine, ascorbic acid and uric acid. At defined conditions the electrode is well suited to measure continuously glucose concentration in the luminal fluid at the collection site of the isolated perfused tubule of the kidney. Experiments are presented which illustrate the performance of the glucose electrode in this isolated tubule set-up. Peritubular reduction of potassium concentration or the application of ouabain diminish glucose reabsorption.