Morphometric studies of the renomedullary interstitial cells

Hypercalcemia stimulates expression of intrarenal phospholipase A2 and prostaglandin H synthase-2 in rats. Role of angiotensin II AT1 receptors

In chronic hypercalcemia, inhibition of thick ascending limb sodium chloride reabsorption is mediated by elevated intrarenal PGE2. The mechanisms and source of elevated PGE2 in hypercalcemia are not known. We determined the effect of hypercalcemia on intrarenal expression of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), prostaglandin H synthase-1 (PGHS-1), and prostaglandin H synthase-2 (PGHS-2), enzymes important in prostaglandin production. In rats fed dihydrotachysterol to induce hypercalcemia, Western blot analysis revealed significant upregulation of both cPLA2 and PGHS-2 in the kidney cortex and the inner and outer medulla. Immunofluorescence localized intrarenal cPLA2 and PGHS-2 to interstitial cells of the inner and outer medulla, and to macula densa and cortical thick ascending limbs in both control and hypercalcemic rats. Hypercalcemia had no effect on intrarenal expression of PGHS-1. To determine if AT1 angiotensin II receptor activation was involved in the stimulation of cPLA2 and PGHS-2 in hypercalcemia, we treated rats with the AT1 receptor antagonist, losartan. Losartan abolished the polydipsia associated with hypercalcemia, prevented the increase in cPLA2 protein in all regions of the kidney, and diminished PGHS-2 expression in the inner medulla. In addition, losartan completely prevented the increase in urinary PGE2 excretion in hypercalcemic rats. Intrarenal levels of angiotensin II were unchanged in hypercalcemia. These data indicate that hypercalcemia stimulates intrarenal cPLA2 and PGHS-2 protein expression. Our results further support a role for angiotensin II, acting on AT1 receptors, in mediating this stimulation.

A monoclonal antibody (ER-HR3) against murine macrophages. I. Ontogeny, distribution and enzyme histochemical characterization of ER-HR3-positive cells

We describe ER-HR3, a monoclonal antibody directed against bone marrow-derived haemopoietic reticulum cells. ER-HR3-positive cells have the electron-microscopic and enzyme-histochemical characteristics of macrophages. Additionally, they are able to phagocytoze. The ER-HR3 antigen is expressed by a majority of blood monocytes and is present on a subpopulation of resident macrophages in multiple organs. ER-HR3-positive cells are abundant in the bone marrow, the splenic red pulp, the mesenteric lymphoid paracortex and the interfollicular areas of the Peyer's patch. Few ER-HR3-positive cells have been observed in the thymic cortex and the connective tissues of the gastro-intestinal tract, the dermis and the renal medulla. Moreover, epidermal Langerhans cells express the antigen. No cross-reactivity with other cell types has been found. It is concluded that ER-HR3 has a unique distribution pattern distinct from other macrophage-specific antibodies.

Selective zonal change of the renomedullary interstitial cells in hypokalemic rats

Electron microscopic morphometry was undertaken to quantitate the morphological change of the renomedullary interstitial cells (RIC) of hypokalemic rats by using large montages. Two weeks of potassium depletion resulted in an increase of the RIC, which were restricted to the interbundle region of the inner stripe of the outer medulla. The increase of the RIC is characterized by a preferential increase in volume density (+340.0%; P < 0.01) and numerical density (+61.4%; P < 0.01) in the interbundle region but not in the vascular bundle of the inner stripe or in the inner medulla. The increased RIC in the interbundle region of the inner stripe demonstrated an increase of lipid droplets, which are known to contain prostaglandin precursors. The selective zonal change of RIC with increased lipid droplets is a characteristic lesion of hypokalemic rats and suggests an enhanced vasoactive function of RIC associated with hypokalemic nephropathy.

Experimental analgesic nephropathy: changes in renal structure and urinary concentrating ability in Fischer 344 rats given continuous low doses of aspirin and paracetamol

Long-term treatment with aspirin and paracetamol produced renal papillary necrosis in female Fischer 344 rats. Aspirin (230 mg/kg body weight/day) and paracetamol (380 mg/kg body weight/day) were dissolved in drinking water and given continuously for up to 65 weeks. Renal morphological changes were examined between 21 weeks and 65 weeks of commencement of analgesic treatment using light and electron microscopy, and were compared with age-matched controls. Structural damage initially occurred in the mid-papillary region, and specifically involved the interstitial cells and interstitial matrix. Necrosis of the epithelium of the thin limbs of the loop of Henle was present only after interstitial changes were well established. Cortical interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy occurred after renal papillary changes were observed. There was no evidence of significant vascular damage. Urinary concentrating ability was measured sequentially during the period of analgesic treatment. A decrease in urine concentrating ability was present when early changes to the interstitial cells and matrix were observed, and concentrating ability continued to decrease in parallel with increasing morphological damage. This study describes an animal model of analgesic-induced nephropathy, enabling early morphological changes to be studied and correlated with renal functional changes.