Characterization of LLC-PK1 kidney epithelial cells as an in vitro model for studying renal tubular reabsorption of protein drugs

Ca2+-sensing receptor-TRP channel-mediated Ca2+ signaling: Functional diversity and pharmacological complexity

The Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR) is a G-protein-coupled receptor activated by elevated concentrations of extracellular Ca2+, and was initially known for its regulation of parathyroid hormone (PTH) release. Ubiquitous expression of CaSR in different tissues and organs was later noted and CaSR participation in various physiological functions was demonstrated. Accumulating evidence has suggested that CaSR functionally interacts with transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, which are mostly non-selective cation channels involved in sensing temperature, pain and stress. This review describes the interactions of CaSR with TRP channels in diverse cell types to trigger a variety of biological responses. CaSR has been known to interact with different types of G proteins. Possible involvements of G proteins, other signaling and scaffolding protein intermediates in CaSR-TRP interaction are discussed. In addition, an attempt will be made to extend the current understanding of biased agonism of CaSR.

Rapamycin treatment induces tubular proteinuria: role of megalin-mediated protein reabsorption

Introduction: Rapamycin is an immunosuppressor that acts by inhibiting the serine/threonine kinase mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1. Therapeutic use of rapamycin is limited by its adverse effects. Proteinuria is an important marker of kidney damage and a risk factor for kidney diseases progression and has been reported in patients and animal models treated with rapamycin. However, the mechanism underlying proteinuria induced by rapamycin is still an open matter. In this work, we investigated the effects of rapamycin on parameters of renal function and structure and on protein handling by proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs). Methods: Healthy BALB/c mice were treated with 1.5 mg/kg rapamycin by oral gavage for 1, 3, or 7 days. At the end of each treatment, the animals were kept in metabolic cages and renal function and structural parameters were analyzed. LLC-PK1 cell line was used as a model of PTECs to test specific effect of rapamycin. Results: Rapamycin treatment did not change parameters of glomerular structure and function. Conversely, there was a transient increase in 24-h proteinuria, urinary protein to creatinine ratio (UPCr), and albuminuria in the groups treated with rapamycin. In accordance with these findings, rapamycin treatment decreased albumin-fluorescein isothiocyanate uptake in the renal cortex. This effect was associated with reduced brush border expression and impaired subcellular distribution of megalin in PTECs. The effect of rapamycin seems to be specific for albumin endocytosis machinery because it did not modify renal sodium handling or (Na⁺+K⁺)ATPase activity in BALB/c mice and in the LLC-PK1 cell line. A positive Pearson correlation was found between megalin expression and albumin uptake while an inverse correlation was shown between albumin uptake and UPCr or 24-h proteinuria. Despite its effect on albumin handling in PTECs, rapamycin treatment did not induce tubular injury measured by interstitial space and collagen deposition. Conclusion: These findings suggest that proteinuria induced by rapamycin could have a tubular rather than a glomerular origin. This effect involves a specific change in protein endocytosis machinery. Our results open new perspectives on understanding the undesired effect of proteinuria generated by rapamycin.

Gold nanoparticles reduce tubule-interstitial injury and proteinuria in a murine model of subclinical acute kidney injury

Subclinical acute kidney injury (subAKI) is characterized by tubule-interstitial injury without significant changes in glomerular function. SubAKI is associated with the pathogenesis and progression of acute and chronic kidney diseases. Currently, therapeutic strategies to treat subAKI are limited. The use of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has shown promising benefits in different models of diseases. However, their possible effects on subAKI are still unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of AuNPs on a mouse model of subAKI. Animals with subAKI showed increased functional and histopathologic markers of tubular injury. There were no changes in glomerular function and structure. The animals with subAKI also presented an inflammatory profile demonstrated by activation of Th1 and Th17 cells in the renal cortex. This phenotype was associated with decreased megalin-mediated albumin endocytosis and expression of proximal tubular megalin. AuNP treatment prevented tubule-interstitial injury induced by subAKI. This effect was associated with a shift to an anti-inflammatory Th2 response. Furthermore, AuNP treatment preserved megalin-mediated albumin endocytosis in vivo and in vitro. AuNPs were not nephrotoxic in healthy mice. These results suggest that AuNPs have a protective effect in the tubule-interstitial injury observed in subAKI, highlighting a promising strategy as a future antiproteinuric treatment.

Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Is a New Substrate of ATP-Binding Cassette Subfamily C Member 11

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor, after conversion to tenofovir (TFV), is mainly eliminated by glomerular filtration and active tubular secretion. The major adverse effect of tenofovir is nephrotoxicity; however, the exact mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, the ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 11 (ABCC11; multidrug resistance protein 8 [MRP8]) transporter, which is abundant in proximal tubular cells, was demonstrated to act as an efflux transporter of tenofovir. Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and indirect immunofluorescence assays were used to determine MRP8 overexpression in a continuous cell line. Tenofovir accumulations were assessed by cytotoxicity, cellular transport, and vesicular uptake assays. Substrate specificity was confirmed using MK-571, an MRP-specific inhibitor, and methotrexate, which served as a known substrate. Intracellular and intravesicular concentrations of tenofovir were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC₅₀) of TDF in MRP8-overexpressing cells was 4.78 times higher than that of parental cells. Transport assays also showed that the intracellular accumulation of tenofovir in MRP8-overexpressing cells was 55 times lower than that in parental cells and was partly reversed by MK-571. Similarly, an "inside-out" vesicular uptake assay, using Sf9 inverted membrane vesicles to allow measuring of accumulation of the substrates into the vesicles, demonstrated a higher intravesicular concentration of tenofovir in MRP8-overexpressing vesicles than in Sf9 insect control vesicles. These effects were effectively reversed by increasing concentrations of the specific inhibitor MK-571. In conclusion, tenofovir is a new substrate of the MRP8 transporter. An alteration in the activity of this efflux pump may increase the intracellular accumulation of tenofovir in proximal renal tubular cells.

Direct reprogramming of human bone marrow stromal cells into functional renal cells using cell-free extracts

The application of cell-based therapies in regenerative medicine is gaining recognition. Here, we show that human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), also known as bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal cells, can be reprogrammed into renal proximal tubular-like epithelial cells using cell-free extracts. Streptolysin-O-permeabilized BMSCs exposed to HK2-cell extracts underwent morphological changes—formation of “domes” and tubule-like structures—and acquired epithelial functional properties such as transepithelial-resistance, albumin-binding, and uptake and specific markers E-cadherin and aquaporin-1. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of brush border microvilli and tight intercellular contacts. RNA sequencing showed tubular epithelial transcript abundance and revealed the upregulation of components of the EGFR pathway. Reprogrammed BMSCs integrated into self-forming kidney tissue and formed tubular structures. Reprogrammed BMSCs infused in immunodeficient mice with cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury engrafted into proximal tubuli, reduced renal injury and improved function. Thus, reprogrammed BMSCs are a promising cell resource for future cell therapy.

•

BMSCs cross lineage boundaries toward renal cells via cell-extract reprogramming

•

Reprogrammed BMSCs acquire proximal tubular-like epithelial cell properties

•

Reprogrammed BMSCs integrate into proximal tubuli and protect mice from AKI

High glucose reduces albumin uptake in cultured proximal tubular cells (LLC-PK1)

In this study, we clarify that high glucose inhibits albumin uptake in cultured LLC-PK1 cells. LLC-PK1 cells cultured for 6 days with 5.5-27.8 mM D-glucose were challenged by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated human albumin (HA). FITC-HA binding and uptake were inhibited by >5.5mM glucose (5.5 mM > (P < 0.01) 11.0 mM > (P < 0.05) 16.7 mM approximately= 27.8 mM). Analysis of FITC-HA binding and uptake at 5.5 and 16.7 mM D-glucose (high glucose, HG) showed decreased affinity (K(m) for binding: 35.5 mg/l versus 52.6 mg/l, K(m) for uptake; 41.3 mg/l versus 55.6 mg/l) and maximal velocity (B(max)--0.33 microg versus 0.27 microg/30 min/mg protein; U(max)--4.40 microg versus 3.48 microg/60 min/mg protein) at HG. A comparison of the time courses of FITC-HA binding and uptake at 5.5 mM glucose and at HG showed that HG suppressed them beyond 15 min (P < 0.005-0.001). Phlorizin (>0.25 mM) completely reversed the HG-induced inhibition of FITC-HA binding and uptake. High glucose decreased mRNA of GLUT-1 and SGLT-1, but did not influence that of SGLT-2. The simultaneous presence of Vitamin E (10(-6)M), Vitamin C (10(-6)M) and reduced glutathione (0.25 mM) reversed the suppressed FITC-HA binding and uptake by HG, while any one or two of these molecules, and various inhibitors of advanced glycation end products, failed to do so. In conclusion, a high glucose milieu causes inhibition of albumin binding and uptake in proximal tubular cells by increasing metabolic oxidative stress through excessive glucose flux via the sodium glucose transporter.

Oxalate selectively activates p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase signal transduction pathways in renal epithelial cells

Oxalate, a metabolic end product, is an important factor in the pathogenesis of renal stone disease. Oxalate exposure to renal epithelial cells results in re-initiation of the DNA synthesis, altered gene expression, and apoptosis, but the signaling pathways involved in these diverse effects have not been evaluated. The effects of oxalate on mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase signaling pathways were studied in LLC-PK1 cells. Exposure to oxalate (1 mM) rapidly stimulated robust phosphorylation and activation of p38 MAPK. Oxalate exposure also induced modest activation of JNK, as monitored by phosphorylation of c-Jun. In contrast, oxalate exposure had no effect on phosphorylation and enzyme activity of p42/44 MAPK. We also show that specific inhibition of p38 MAPK by 4(4-(fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole (SB203580) or by overexpression of a kinase-dead dominant negative mutant of p38 MAPK abolishes oxalate induced re-initiation of DNA synthesis in LLC-PK1 cells. The inhibition is dose-dependent and correlates with in situ activity of native p38 MAP kinase, determined as MAPK-activated protein kinase-2 activity in cell extracts. Thus, this study not only provides the first demonstration of selective activation of p38 MAPK and JNK signaling pathways by oxalate but also suggests that p38 MAPK activity is essential for the effects of oxalate on re-initiation of DNA synthesis.

Measurement of the kinetics of protein uptake by proximal tubular cells using an optical biosensor

BACKGROUND

The affinity and specificity of protein reabsorption by proximal tubular cells have been investigated using techniques for monitoring endocytosis, demonstrating a high capacity but low affinity process. It is not known whether uptake is through binding to a single binding site/receptor with differing affinities, or if there are several classes of binding sites receptors, each specific for differing proteins or groups, such as, high or low molecular weight proteins.

METHODS

We have developed a novel technique for analyzing the kinetics of protein binding to tubular cells using a optical biosensor system. We have studied the binding of cultured LLCPK cells to albumin and RBP immobilized onto the sensor. By adding increasing concentrations of competing proteins [varying in molecular weight from 66,000 to 11,800 D and pI from 4.6 to 9.2 as represented by albumin, alpha1-microglobulin (alpha1M), retinol binding protein (RBP), cystatin C and beta2-microglobulin (beta2m)], specific and inhibitable cell binding was demonstrated.

RESULTS

Equilibrium constants, KA, could be calculated from the reciprocal of the protein concentration causing 50% inhibition in binding rate. These were: albumin = 8.0 x 10(4) M(-1), alpha1M = 2.0 x 10(5) M(-1), RBP = 2.7 x 10(4) M(-1), cystatin C = 2.0 x 10(4) M(-1), beta2m = 4.2 x 10(3) M(-1). There were no significant differences between the measured KA's whether RBP or albumin were immobilized on the surface.

CONCLUSIONS

All the proteins gave similar shaped inhibition profiles, suggesting that there is one binding site/receptor for all proteins studied, regardless of molecular weight or charge, but there are differing affinities for each protein.

Activation of DeltaF508 CFTR in an epithelial monolayer

The DeltaF508 mutation leads to retention of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in the endoplasmic reticulum and rapid degradation by the proteasome and other proteolytic systems. In stably transfected LLC-PK1 (porcine kidney) epithelial cells, DeltaF508 CFTR conforms to this paradigm and is not present at the plasma membrane. When LLC-PK1 cells or human nasal polyp cells derived from a DeltaF508 homozygous patient are grown on plastic dishes and treated with an epithelial differentiating agent (DMSO, 2% for 4 days) or when LLC-PK1 cells are grown as polarized monolayers on permeable supports, plasma membrane DeltaF508 CFTR is significantly increased. Moreover, when confluent LLC-PK1 cells expressing DeltaF508 CFTR were treated with DMSO and mounted in an Ussing chamber, a further increase in cAMP-activated short-circuit current (i.e., approximately 7 microA/cm2; P < 0.00025 compared with untreated controls) was observed. No plasma membrane CFTR was detected after DMSO treatment in nonepithelial cells (mouse L cells) expressing DeltaF508 CFTR. The experiments describe a way to augment DeltaF508 CFTR maturation in epithelial cells that appears to act through a novel mechanism and allows insertion of functional DeltaF508 CFTR in the plasma membranes of transporting cell monolayers. The results raise the possibility that increased epithelial differentiation might increase the delivery of DeltaF508 CFTR from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi, where the DeltaF508 protein is shielded from degradative pathways such as the proteasome and allowed to mature.

Cellular uptake properties of oligonucleotides in LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells

The objective of this study was to clarify the renal uptake characteristics of oligonucleotides at a cellular level using LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells derived from the proximal tubule. The association of [35S]-labeled 20-mer phosphodiester (PO) and phosphorothioate (PS) oligonucleotides with the monolayers of polarized LLC-PK1 cells cultured on polycarbonate filter was characterized after apical or basolateral application. The cellular association of PO and PS at both apical and basolateral membranes was time dependent and temperature dependent, and the apparent association amount of PS was larger than that of PO. The PO and PS association after apical application was saturable, with the apparent Km and Vmax values determined to be 5.4 microM and 0.14 nmol/mg protein for PO and 0.22 microM and 0.11 nmol/mg protein for PS, respectively. In contrast, almost linear kinetics were observed after basolateral application within a tested concentration range. The association was inhibited significantly by sodium azide and chloroquine, suggesting that an energy-dependent endocytotic process was involved. Internalization and subsequent transport to endosome and lysosome compartments of FITC-labeled oligonucleotides were shown by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The present study has demonstrated that both types of oligonucleotides are taken up by LLC-PK1 cells from both apical and basolateral surfaces probably via an endocytosis mechanism.