Expression of CR1 (CD35) mRNA in podocytes from adult and fetal human kidneys

Not an immune cell, but they may act like one-cells with immune properties outside the immune system

The cells presented in this work are not classified as cells that make up the immune system. They, however, present functions and molecules, which are characteristic of immune cells. These characteristic functions are, for example, sensing threat, performing phagocytosis, presentation of foreign antigens, cytokine release or enhancing immune memory. The enlisted immune response mechanisms are carried out by the possession of molecules such as Toll-like receptors, receptors for the Fc fragment of IgG, major histocompatibility complex class II molecules, costimulatory CD80/CD86 proteins and molecules needed for NLRP3 (NOD-like family pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome activation. Thanks to these properties, the described nonimmune cells play an important role in the local immune response and support of the entire body in the fight against pathogens. They constitute the first line of defense of tissues and organs against pathogens and molecules recognized as harmful. The cells described in this article are particularly important in immunologically privileged places (e.g. the Bowman's capsule in the kidney), where "typical" immune cells normally do not have access. In this paper, we present immune-like functions and molecule suites of resident kidney cells (podocytes and mesangial cells), cochlear resident cells, fibrocytes and fibroblasts, as well as some stem cells (mesenchymal stem cells and umbilical cord Wharton's jelly-derived cells).

The Proteome of Antibody-Mediated Rejection: From Glomerulitis to Transplant Glomerulopathy

Antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) is the leading cause of allograft failure in kidney transplantation. Its histological hallmark is represented by lesions of glomerulitis i.e., inflammatory cells within glomeruli. Current therapies for ABMR fail to prevent chronic allograft damage i.e., transplant glomerulopathy, leading to allograft loss. We used laser microdissection of glomeruli from formalin-fixed allograft biopsies combined with mass spectrometry-based proteomics to describe the proteome modification of 11 active and 10 chronic active ABMR cases compared to 8 stable graft controls. Of 1335 detected proteins, 77 were deregulated in glomerulitis compared to stable grafts, particularly involved in cellular stress mediated by interferons type I and II, leukocyte activation and microcirculation remodeling. Three proteins extracted from this protein profile, TYMP, WARS1 and GBP1, showed a consistent overexpression by immunohistochemistry in glomerular endothelial cells that may represent relevant markers of endothelial stress during active ABMR. In transplant glomerulopathy, 137 proteins were deregulated, which favor a complement-mediated mechanism, wound healing processes through coagulation activation and ultimately a remodeling of the glomerular extracellular matrix, as observed by light microscopy. This study brings novel information on glomerular proteomics of ABMR in kidney transplantation, and highlights potential targets of diagnostic and therapeutic interest.

Complement Receptors and Their Role in Leukocyte Recruitment and Phagocytosis

The complement system is deeply embedded in our physiology and immunity. Complement activation generates a multitude of molecules that converge simultaneously on the opsonization of a target for phagocytosis and activation of the immune system via soluble anaphylatoxins. This response is used to control microorganisms and to remove dead cells, but also plays a major role in stimulating the adaptive immune response and the regeneration of injured tissues. Many of these effects inherently depend on complement receptors expressed on leukocytes and parenchymal cells, which, by recognizing complement-derived molecules, promote leukocyte recruitment, phagocytosis of microorganisms and clearance of immune complexes. Here, the plethora of information on the role of complement receptors will be reviewed, including an analysis of how this functionally and structurally diverse group of molecules acts jointly to exert the full extent of complement regulation of homeostasis.

The immune podocyte

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a serious manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus and is characterized by proteinuria and renal failure. Proteinuria is a marker of poor prognosis and is attributed to podocyte loss and dysfunction. It is often debated whether these cells are innocent bystanders or active participants in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Podocytes share many elements of the innate and adaptive immune system. Specifically, they produce and express complement components and receptors which when dysregulated appear to contribute to podocyte damage and LN. In parallel, podocytes express major histocompatibility complex and co-stimulatory molecules which may be involved in local immune events. Podocyte-specific cytotoxic cells and possibly other immune cells contribute to glomerular damage. Autoantibodies present in lupus sera enter podocytes to upregulate calcium/calmodulin kinase which in turn compromises their structure and function.

SUMMARY

More recent studies point to the restoration of podocyte function using cell targeted approaches to prevent and treat LN. These strategies along with podocyte involvement in the pathogenesis of LN will be addressed in this review.

Autoantibody levels are associated with acute kidney injury, anemia and post-discharge morbidity and mortality in Ugandan children with severe malaria

Autoantibodies targeting host antigens contribute to autoimmune disorders, frequently occur during and after infections and have been proposed to contribute to malaria-induced anemia. We measured anti-phosphatidylserine (PS) and anti-DNA antibody levels in 382 Ugandan children prospectively recruited in a study of severe malaria (SM). High antibody levels were defined as antibody levels greater than the mean plus 3 standard deviations of community children (CC). We observed increases in median levels of anti-PS and anti-DNA antibodies in children with SM compared to CC (p < 0.0001 for both). Children with severe malarial anemia were more likely to have high anti-PS antibodies than children with cerebral malaria (16.4% vs. 7.4%), p = 0.02. Increases in anti-PS and anti-DNA antibodies were associated with decreased hemoglobin (p < 0.05). A one-unit increase in anti-DNA antibodies was associated with a 2.99 (95% CI, 1.68, 5.31) increase odds of acute kidney injury (AKI) (p < 0.0001). Elevated anti-PS and anti-DNA antibodies were associated with post-discharge mortality (p = 0.031 and p = 0.042, respectively). Children with high anti-PS antibodies were more likely to have multiple hospital readmissions compared to children with normal anti-PS antibody levels (p < 0.05). SM is associated with increased autoantibodies against PS and DNA. Autoantibodies were associated with anemia, AKI, post-discharge mortality, and hospital readmission.

Interactions among glomerulus infiltrating macrophages and intrinsic cells via cytokines in chronic lupus glomerulonephritis

Inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN) and inflammatory cytokines within the glomeruli are critical in this process. However, little information is available for the identities of the cell types that are primarily responsible for the production and function of the various cytokines. We have devised a novel method to visualize cytokine signals in the kidney by confocal microscopy and found that cytokine production within the glomerulus is cell type-specific and under translational control. In the lupus-prone NZM2328 mice with chronic glomerulonephritis, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the glomerulus were produced predominantly by mesangial cells, podocytes, and glomerulus-infiltrating blood-derived macrophages, respectively. Microarray and RNASeq analyses showed that these cells expressed the receptors for these cytokines. Together the 3 cell types form a cytokine circuit in amplifying cytokine responses in LN. The intrinsic cells and infiltrating macrophages also produced other cytokines including M-CSF, SCF, and IL-34 that constituted within the enclosed glomerular space the soluble effector milieu which may mediate cellular damage and proliferation, and cytokine transcriptional and translation regulation. IL-10 and IL-1β were translationally regulated in the glomeruli in the intact kidney in a cell type-specific manner. The production of these 2 cytokines by infiltrating macrophages was undetectable in a visualization system for in situ protein accumulation despite high mRNA expression levels. However, these macrophages in isolated glomeruli which are released from Bowman's capsules produced large amounts of IL-10 and IL-1β. These data reveal the complexity of cytokine regulation, production, and function in the glomerulus and provide a model in which cytokine blocking may be beneficial in LN treatment.

The multifaceted role of complement in kidney transplantation

Increasing evidence indicates an integral role for the complement system in the deleterious inflammatory reactions that occur during critical phases of the transplantation process, such as brain or cardiac death of the donor, surgical trauma, organ preservation and ischaemia-reperfusion injury, as well as in humoral and cellular immune responses to the allograft. Ischaemia is the most common cause of complement activation in kidney transplantation and in combination with reperfusion is a major cause of inflammation and graft damage. Complement also has a prominent role in antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) owing to ABO and HLA incompatibility, which leads to devastating damage to the transplanted kidney. Emerging drugs and treatment modalities that inhibit complement activation at various stages in the complement cascade are being developed to ameliorate the damage caused by complement activation in transplantation. These promising new therapies have various potential applications at different stages in the process of transplantation, including inhibiting the destructive effects of ischaemia and/or reperfusion injury, treating ABMR, inducing accommodation and modulating the adaptive immune response.

The Expression Profile of Complement Components in Podocytes

Podocytes are critical for maintaining the glomerular filtration barrier and are injured in many renal diseases, especially proteinuric kidney diseases. Recently, reports suggested that podocytes are among the renal cells that synthesize complement components that mediate glomerular diseases. Nevertheless, the profile and extent of complement component expression in podocytes remain unclear. This study examined the expression profile of complement in podocytes under physiological conditions and in abnormal podocytes induced by multiple stimuli. In total, 23/32 complement component components were detected in podocyte by conventional RT-PCR. Both primary cultured podocytes and immortalized podocytes expressed the complement factors C1q, C1r, C2, C3, C7, MASP, CFI, DAF, CD59, C4bp, CD46, Protein S, CR2, C1qR, C3aR, C5aR, and Crry (17/32), whereas C4, CFB, CFD, C5, C6, C8, C9, MBL1, and MBL2 (9/32) complement factors were not expressed. C3, Crry, and C1q-binding protein were detected by tandem mass spectrometry. Podocyte complement gene expression was affected by several factors (puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN), angiotensin II (Ang II), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)). Representative complement components were detected using fluorescence confocal microscopy. In conclusion, primary podocytes express various complement components at the mRNA and protein levels. The complement gene expressions were affected by several podocyte injury factors.

Role of complement receptor 1 (CR1; CD35) on epithelial cells: A model for understanding complement-mediated damage in the kidney

The regulators of complement activation gene cluster encodes a group of proteins that have evolved to control the amplification of complement at the critical step of C3 activation. Complement receptor 1 (CR1) is the most versatile of these inhibitors with both receptor and regulatory functions. While expressed on most peripheral blood cells, the only epithelial site of expression in the kidney is by the podocyte. Its expression by this cell population has aroused considerable speculation as to its biologic function in view of many complement-mediated renal diseases. The goal of this investigation was to assess the role of CR1 on epithelial cells. To this end, we utilized a Chinese hamster ovary cell model system. Among our findings, CR1 reduced C3b deposition by ∼ 80% during classical pathway activation; however, it was an even more potent regulator (>95% reduction in C3b deposition) of the alternative pathway. This inhibition was primarily mediated by decay accelerating activity. The deposited C4b and C3b were progressively cleaved with a t½ of ∼ 30 min to C4d and C3d, respectively, by CR1-dependent cofactor activity. CR1 functioned intrinsically (i.e, worked only on the cell on which it was expressed). Moreover, CR1 efficiently and stably bound but didn't internalize C4b/C3b opsonized immune complexes. Our studies underscore the potential importance of CR1 on an epithelial cell population as both an intrinsic complement regulator and an immune adherence receptor. These results provide a framework for understanding how loss of CR1 expression on podocytes may contribute to complement-mediated damage in the kidney.

A compendium of urinary biomarkers indicative of glomerular podocytopathy

It is well known that glomerular podocyte injury and loss are present in numerous nephropathies and that the pathophysiologic consecution of disease hinges upon the fate of the podocyte. While multiple factors play a hand in glomerulopathy progression, basic logic lends that if one monitors the podocyte's status, that may reflect the status of disease. Recent investigations have focused on what one can elucidate from the noninvasive collection of urine, and have proven that certain, specific biomarkers of podocytes can be readily identified via varying techniques. This paper has brought together all described urinary biomarkers of podocyte injury and is made to provide a concise summary of their utility and testing in laboratory and clinical theatres. While promising in the potential that they hold as tools for clinicians and investigators, the described biomarkers require further comprehensive vetting in the form of larger clinical trials and studies that would give their value true weight. These urinary biomarkers are put forth as novel indicators of glomerular disease presence, disease progression, and therapeutic efficacy that in some cases may be more advantageous than the established parameters/measures currently used in practice.

Differential expression of functional Fc-receptors and additional immune complex receptors on mouse kidney cells

The precise mechanisms by which circulating immune complexes accumulate in the kidney to form deposits in glomerulonephritis are not well understood. In particular, the role of resident cells within glomeruli of the kidney has been widely debated. Immune complexes have been shown to bind one glomerular cell type (mesangial cells) leading to functional responses such as pro-inflammatory cytokine production. To further assess the presence of functional immunoreceptors on resident glomerular cells, cultured mouse renal epithelial, endothelial, and mesangial cells were treated with heat-aggregated mouse IgG or preformed murine immune complexes. Mesangial and renal endothelial cells were found to bind IgG complexes, whereas glomerular epithelial cell binding was minimal. A blocking antibody for Fc-gamma receptors reduced binding to mesangial cells but not renal endothelial cells, suggesting differential immunoreceptor utilization. RT-PCR and immunostaining based screening of cultured renal endothelial cells showed limited low-level expression of known Fc-receptors and Ig binding proteins. The interaction between mesangial cells and renal endothelial cells and immune complexes resulted in distinct, cell-specific patterns of chemokine and cytokine production. This novel pathway involving renal endothelial cells likely contributes to the predilection of circulating immune complex accumulation within the kidney and to the inflammatory responses that drive kidney injury.

Complement gene expression is regulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines and the anaphylatoxin C3a in human tenocytes

Interplay between complement factors, regulatory proteins, anaphylatoxins and cytokines could be involved in tendon healing and scar formation. The expression and regulation of complement factors by cytokines or anaphylatoxins are completely unclear in tendon. Hence, the gene expression of the anaphylatoxin receptors C3aR, C5aR and cytoprotective complement regulatory proteins (CRPs) was analysed in human tendon, cultured primary tenocytes and to directly compare the general expression level, additionally in human leukocytes. Time-dependent regulation of complement by cytokines and the anaphylatoxin C3a was assessed in cultured tenocytes. Gene expression of the anaphylatoxin receptors C3aR, C5aR and the CRPs CD46, CD55 and CD59 was detected in tendon, cultured tenocytes and leukocytes, whereas CD35 could only be found in tendon and leukocytes. Compared with cultured tenocytes, complement expression was higher in tendon and compared with leukocytes C3aR, C5aR, CD35 and CD55, but not CD46 and CD59 gene expression levels were lower in tendon. C3aR mRNA was up-regulated by both TNFα and C3a in cultured tenocytes in a time-dependent manner whereby C5aR gene expression was only induced by C3a. IL-6 or C3a impaired the CRP gene expression. C3a stimulation lead to an up-regulation of TNFα and IL-1β mRNA in tenocytes. Degenerated tendons revealed an increased C5aR and a reduced CD55 expression. The expression profile of the investigated complement components in tendon and cultured tenocytes clearly differed from that of leukocytes. Tenocytes respond to the complement split fragment C3a with CRP suppression and enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression suggesting their sensitivity to complement activation.

Microglia, Alzheimer's disease, and complement

Microglia, the immune cell of the brain, are implicated in cascades leading to neuronal loss and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent genome-wide association studies have indicated a number of risk factors for the development of late-onset AD. Two of these risk factors are an altered immune response and polymorphisms in complement receptor 1. In view of these findings, we discuss how complement signalling in the AD brain and microglial responses in AD intersect. Dysregulation of the complement cascade, either by changes in receptor expression, enhanced activation of different complement pathways or imbalances between complement factor production and complement cascade inhibitors may all contribute to the involvement of complement in AD. Altered complement signalling may reduce the ability of microglia to phagocytose apoptotic cells and clear amyloid beta peptides, modulate the expression by microglia of complement components and receptors, promote complement factor production by plaque-associated cytokines derived from activated microglia and astrocytes, and disrupt complement inhibitor production. The evidence presented here indicates that microglia in AD are influenced by complement factors to adopt protective or harmful phenotypes and the challenge ahead lies in understanding how this can be manipulated to therapeutic advantage to treat late onset AD.

Acquired loss of erythrocyte complement receptor type 1 in patients with diabetic nephropathy undergoing hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

Complement receptor type 1 on erythrocytes (E-CR1) plays important roles not only in the regulation of complement activation, but also the clearance of immune complexes. Reduced E-CR1 was previously found in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). We investigated whether the E-CR1level in HD patients with diabetic nephropathy (DMN) is decreased. The levels of decay accelerating factor (DAF) and CD59 on erythrocytes (E) were also determined to ascertain whether the loss of CR1 is a specific phenomenon or other complement regulatory proteins are also affected.

METHODS

The levels of CR1, DAF, and CD59 on E were analyzed in 176 HD patients with DMN, 101 HD patients with non-diabetes mellitus renal diseases (non-DMN), and 108 healthy individuals. Hind III restriction fragment length polymorphism of intron 27 of the CR1 gene was analyzed. The serum-soluble CR1 levelwas measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

The E-CR1 level was significantly lower in the DMN group than the non-DMN group (p < 0.0001) and healthy individuals (p < 0.05). The E-CR1 level was significantly higher in the non-DMN group than in healthy individuals (p < 0.01). The levels of E-DAF and E-CD59 were significantly lower in the DMN group than non-DMN group (DAF, p < 0.01; CD59, p < 0.0001). Within each genotype of the CR1 gene, the E-CR1 level was significantly lower in the DMN group than in the non-DMN group and healthy individuals (non-DMN, p < 0.01; healthy individuals, p < 0.05). The serum-soluble CR1 level was significantly higher in the DMN group than non-DMN group and control group (p < 0.01 each). However, soluble CR1 did not correlate with E-CR1.

CONCLUSION

Acquired loss of E-CR1 was found among HD patients with DMN. From the viewpoint of host defense, it may be a prognostic factor.

Renal expression of the C3a receptor and functional responses of primary human proximal tubular epithelial cells

Although complement activation and deposition have been associated with a variety of glomerulopathies, the pathogenic mechanisms by which complement directly mediates renal injury remain to be fully elucidated. Renal parenchymal tissues express a limited repertoire of receptors that directly bind activated complement proteins. We report the renal expression of the receptor for the C3 cleavage product C3a, a member of the anaphylatoxin family. C3aR is highly expressed in normal human and murine kidney, as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Its distribution is limited to epithelial cells only, as glomerular endothelial and mesangial cells showed no evidence of C3aR expression. The C3aR is also expressed by primary renal proximal tubular epithelial cells in vitro as demonstrated by FACS, Western blot, and RT-PCR. In vitro C3aR is functional in terms of its capacity to bind 125I-labeled C3a and generate inositol triphosphate. Finally, using microarray analysis, four novel genes were identified and confirmed as transcriptionally regulated by C3aR activation in proximal tubular cells. These studies define a new pathway by which complement activation may directly modulate the renal response to immunologic injury.

Quantitative polymorphism of complement receptor type 1 (CR1) in patients undergoing haemodialysis

BACKGROUND

The level of complement receptor type 1 (CR1) on erythrocytes (E-CR1) is determined by the presence of high (H) or low (L) expression alleles. We investigated whether acquired loss of E-CR1 occurs in haemodialysis patients and, if so, which factors may contribute to acquired loss of E-CR1 in these patients.

METHODS

The E-CR1 level was determined in 195 Japanese haemodialysis patients, and we selected patients with a high or low E-CR1 level. In patients with low E-CR1 expression, sequence analysis of polymorphic sites (A3650G and C5507G) in the CR1 gene was performed. To assess the effect of the type of dialysis membrane used in the patients with low E-CR1 expression, the dialysis membrane was changed from a cellulose membrane to a biocompatible membrane (to a polyacrylonitrile membrane and then to a polysulfone membrane). To evaluate the susceptibility of E-CR1 to proteolysis, erythrocytes were incubated with various concentrations of trypsin, and the level of remaining CR1 on the erythrocytes was determined.

RESULTS

Among patients with high E-CR1 expression (n = 30), 87% had HH alleles and 13% had HL alleles. Among patients with low E-CR1 expression (n = 29), 24% had LL alleles, 45% had HL alleles and 31% had HH alleles. Nucleotides 3650G and 5507G in the CR1 gene were associated with the L allele. Nucleotides 3650A and 5507C were associated with the H allele. Only one patient with HH alleles had nucleotides 3650G and 5507C. Three months after changing the haemodialysis membrane, the E-CR1 level significantly increased (P<0.02). The proteolysis curves of E-CR1 of patients with low or high E-CR1 expression and normal controls were similar.

CONCLUSION

Use of a non-biocompatible dialysis membrane may contribute to acquired loss of E-CR1 in haemodialysis patients.

Cell biology of the glomerular podocyte

Glomerular podocytes are highly specialized cells with a complex cytoarchitecture. Their most prominent features are interdigitated foot processes with filtration slits in between. These are bridged by the slit diaphragm, which plays a major role in establishing the selective permeability of the glomerular filtration barrier. Injury to podocytes leads to proteinuria, a hallmark of most glomerular diseases. New technical approaches have led to a considerable increase in our understanding of podocyte biology including protein inventory, composition and arrangement of the cytoskeleton, receptor equipment, and signaling pathways involved in the control of ultrafiltration. Moreover, disturbances of podocyte architecture resulting in the retraction of foot processes and proteinuria appear to be a common theme in the progression of acquired glomerular disease. In hereditary nephrotic syndromes identified over the last 2 years, all mutated gene products were localized in podocytes. This review integrates our recent physiological and molecular understanding of the role of podocytes during the maintenance and failure of the glomerular filtration barrier.

Complement regulatory proteins in glomerular diseases

Complement activation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of many forms of glomerulonephritis. Complement activation leads to tissue injury through various mechanisms including the generation of chemotactic factors and activation of the resident glomerular cells following C5b-9 insertion. Recent advances have disclosed the mechanisms of regulation of complement activation by discovery of a number of complement regulatory proteins. Decay accelerating factor (DAF), membrane cofactor protein (MCP), and complement receptor type 1 (CR1) act by inactivating C3/C5 convertase. They belong to the gene superfamily known as the regulators of complement activation (RCA), and share a common structural motif called a short consensus repeat (SCR). In contrast, CD59 works by inhibiting formation of C5b-9. The glomerulus is particularly well endowed with these membrane-bound complement regulatory proteins. DAF, MCP, and CD59 are ubiquitously expressed by all three resident glomerular cells, while CR1 is localized exclusively in podocytes. Expression of complement regulatory proteins can be changed by many factors including complement attack itself, and their expression levels are affected in various glomerular disorders. Studies utilizing cultured glomerular cells and animal models of glomerular diseases suggest important protective roles of complement regulatory proteins against immune-mediated renal injury. Recent progress in molecular biological techniques has made new therapeutic strategy feasible. Systemic administration of soluble recombinant complement regulatory proteins and local overexpression of complement regulatory proteins are promising therapeutic approaches.

Complement regulation

Because of its strong potential for generating inflammation and causing tissue destruction the complement system has to be kept strictly under control. Cells of the host need special protection against the cytolytic complement system. This paper will describe how inappropriate activation of complement in the fluid phase is prevented and how viable human blood cells defend themselves against being destroyed and cleared away by the complement system. Since disturbances in complement regulation occasionally result in disease a brief reference will be made to two of the syndromes caused by complement regulator deficiency, hereditary angioedema (HAE) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).

Identification of membrane-bound CR1 (CD35) in human urine: evidence for its release by glomerular podocytes

Complement receptor 1 (CR1) is present on erythrocytes (E-CR1), various leucocytes, and renal glomerular epithelial cells (podocytes). In addition, plasma contains a soluble form of CR1 (sCR1). By using a specific ELISA, CR1 was detected in the urine (uCR1) of normal individuals (excretion rate in 12 subjects, 3.12 +/- 1.15 micrograms/24 h). Contrary to sCR1, uCR1 was pelleted by centrifugation at 200,000 g for 60 min. Analysis by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation showed that uCR1 was sedimenting in fractions larger than 19 S, whereas sCR1 was found as expected in fractions smaller than 19 S. The addition of detergents reduced the apparent size of uCR1 to that of sCR1. After gel filtration on Sephacryl-300 of normal urine, the fractions containing uCR1 were found to be enriched in cholesterol and phospholipids. The membrane-association of uCR1 was demonstrated by analyzing immunoaffinity purified uCR1 by electron microscopy which revealed membrane-bound vesicles. The apparent molecular mass of uCR1 was 15 kD larger than E-CR1 and sCR1 when assessed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. This difference in size could not be explained on the basis of glycosylation only, since pretreatment with N-glycosidase F reduced the size of all forms of CR1; however, the difference in regular molecular mass was not abrogated. The structural alleles described for E-CR1 were also found for uCR1. The urine of patients who had undergone renal transplantation contained alleles of uCR1 which were discordant with E-CR1 in 7 of 11 individuals, indicating that uCR1 originated from the kidney. uCR1 was shown to bind C3b-coated immune complexes, suggesting that the function of CR1 was not destroyed in urine. A decrease in uCR1 excretion was observed in 3 of 10 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, corresponding to the three who had severe proliferative nephritis, and in three of three patients with focal sclerosis, but not in six other patients with proteinuria. Taken together, these data suggest that glomerular podocytes release CR1-coated vesicles into the urine. The function of this release remains to be defined, but it may be used as a marker for podocyte injury.

Asymmetric origins of the mature glomerular basement membrane

Renal plasma filtration is a critical physiologic function that depends upon the precise composition and arrangement of the constituent extracellular matrix proteins within the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). The GBM develops during renal embryogenesis by the fusion of discrete basement membranes produced independently by endothelial and visceral epithelial cells, and, possibly from matrix secreted by the mesangial cells. In the mature animal, however, the epithelial cell has generally been accepted as the sole source of all GBM constituent proteins. Although the final structures and distributions of the component proteins have been defined by histochemical techniques, the individual contributions of the three resident glomerular cell types to the maintenance and turnover of the mature GBM remain uncertain. We report the application of a new technique, in situ reverse transcription (ISRT), for the localization of RNA transcripts of nine major GBM protein components within the closely apposed cells of the glomerulus. Using this technique, we demonstrate that in normal adult rat glomeruli the RNA transcripts for heparan sulfate proteoglycan and the laminin-S chain are primarily expressed by visceral epithelial cells, while Type IV alpha-1 and alpha-2 collagen transcripts were restricted to the endothelial cells in a heterogeneous pattern. RNA transcripts for entactin and the laminin-A and -B2 chains were expressed by all three glomerular cell types, while laminin-B1 and fibronectin transcripts were limited to the mesangium. These findings demonstrate that GBM synthesis in the mature animal is not restricted to the epithelial cell and that all intrinsic glomerular cells contribute to the production of GBM protein components. The ISRT technique also provided the additional, and unexpected, finding that appreciable synthetic heterogeneity exists within individual glomerular cell types.

Isolation and characterization of complement receptor type 1 from rat glomerular epithelial cells

Complement receptor type 1 (C3b/C4b receptor, CR1) is known to be present in human glomerular epithelial cells (GEC) in vivo. The presence of CR1 has not been documented in rat glomeruli, although cultured rat GEC appear to express CR1 based upon their ability to rosette with complement-coated erythrocytes. In this study, we establish that CR1 is present in cultured rat GEC: (1) by isolating a 200 kDa protein from detergent-solubilized cultured rat GEC through the use of C3b affinity chromatography; (2) by Western blotting studies demonstrating reactivity of anti-human CR1 antibodies with this protein from cultured GEC; and (3) by demonstrating that C3b binding to GEC monolayers exhibits low affinity and that an estimate of the number of binding sites is 6700 per cell, both of which are comparable to that seen for CR1 in human blood cells. Furthermore, we show that CR1 is also present in rat glomeruli by Western blotting studies with anti-human CR1. Anti-human CR1 also identifies a 70 kDa protein from cultured GEC and isolated glomeruli. This 70 kDa protein is likely to be the CR1-like protein, designated Crry, which was initially identified in the mouse and has significant homology to human CR1. Crry may be present in rat GEC instead of decay accelerating factor, which is present in human GEC.

Demonstration of PDGF B-chain mRNA in glomeruli in mesangial proliferative nephritis by in situ hybridization

We used the technique of in situ hybridization to determine if cells expressing PDGF B-chain mRNA can be detected in a model of mesangial proliferative nephritis in the rat induced with antibody directed against the Thy 1 antigen present on the mesangial cell membrane. The method involved hybridization with a digoxigenin-labeled cRNA probe for the murine PDGF B-chain followed by detection with an anti-digoxigenin-alkaline phosphatase conjugate and subsequent colorimetric reaction. In normal rats (N = 4), the majority of glomeruli (74%) were negative for PDGF B-chain mRNA, whereas 65% of glomeruli from rats with mesangial proliferative nephritis (N = 4) had segmental or diffuse staining for PDGF B-chain mRNA in a mesangial pattern. The difference, as measured using a semiquantitative scale, was significant (mean scores 0.4 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.9 +/- 0.2; scale 0 to 3+; P less than 0.001). The increase in PDGF B-chain mRNA positive cells localized to areas of hypercellularity and was associated with a significant increase in cells positive for PDGF B-chain by immunostaining with a specific monoclonal antibody (0.8 +/- 0.1 vs. 1.7 +/- 0.4, scale 0 to 3+, normal vs. diseased rats, P less than 0.005). Complement depletion, which prevents the mesangial cell proliferation, also prevented the increase in cells expressing PDGF B-chain mRNA and protein. Thus, this method of in situ hybridization can successfully detect cells expressing PDGF mRNA in active glomerulonephritis, and may be useful for detecting cells expressing genes for other growth factors and cytokines in both human and experimental models of glomerular injury.