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Biomedical subjects

B J Ballermann

Publications and source records attributed to B J Ballermann.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Rat mesangial cell hypertrophy in response to transforming growth factor-beta 1.

Central features of progressive glomerular sclerosis are initial glomerular hypertrophy and subsequent accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins. Since TGF-beta 1 may play a key role in this glomerular response to injury, the present study sought to explore further TGF-beta 1 actions and regulated expression of its receptor in rat mesangial cells. The rat TGF-beta type II receptor (TGF-beta RII) homolog was cloned by screening a rat kidney cDNA library with a human TGF-beta RII cDNA probe, and sequenced. Expression of this receptor subtype in rat mesangial cells was then demonstrated by RNase protection assay, and by Northern blot analysis of poly (A)+ RNA, TGF-beta RII expression was down-regulated in cells treated with exogenous TGF-beta 1. Affinity cross linking studies demonstrated presence of this receptor on cell surface. Rat mesangial cells also expressed TGF-beta 1 and autoinduction by TGF-beta 1 was observed in the same cells, suggesting that this polypeptide may act in an autocrine fashion on mesangial cells, and that it may stimulate a positive autoamplification loop. TGF-beta 1 inhibited mesangial cell proliferation and stimulated significant overall protein and collagen production. Furthermore, mesangial cell size increased in response to chronic TGF-beta 1 treatment. These findings demonstrate that rat mesangial cells express key components of the TGF-beta system and raise the intriguing possibility that in the glomerular mesangium, TGF-beta 1 may not only induce extracellular matrix synthesis, but may also participate in the process of glomerular hypertrophy in response to injury.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Expression of rat fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 as three splicing variants during kidney development.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) are known to participate in the processes of embryogenesis and angiogenesis. This study was undertaken to examine the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of the FGF receptor 1 (FGFR-1) subclass in the embryonic rat kidney. Two full-length FGF receptor cDNAs were cloned using low-stringency screening of a neonatal rat kidney library with a chicken FGFR-1 cDNA probe. Sequencing revealed these cloned cDNAs to be rat homologues of the FGFR-1 subtype, with the two clones representing splicing variants beta and gamma of the FGFR-1. Evidence for renal expression of a third splicing variant (alpha) was obtained by use of the polymerase chain reaction. Splicing variants alpha and beta of FGFR-1 are predicted to produce cell-surface FGF receptors with three and two immunoglobulin-like domains, respectively, whereas the gamma-isoform may represent an intracellular form of the receptor. Although all three splicing variants were expressed in the developing kidney at days 14, 17, and 20 of gestation, at neonatal days 1 and 7 and in mature rats the beta-isoform was present in vastly larger abundance than alpha- and gamma-isoforms at all stages studied. Northern blot analysis revealed enhanced expression of FGFR-1 in the neonatal compared with the mature kidney. It is concluded that FGFR-1 is expressed in the kidney predominantly as the beta-isoform splicing variant and that expression of this receptor is enhanced during kidney development.

Aging↗
PubMed1992

Sustained activation of PGE2 synthesis in mesangial cells cocultured with glomerular endothelial cells.

Glomerular endothelial cells synthesize and release endothelin-1 (ET-1), and mesangial cells, normally closely apposed to endothelial cells in vivo, respond to ET-1 with contraction, proliferation, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release. This study sought to determine whether chronic coculture of mesangial cells with glomerular endothelial cells alters mesangial cell PGE2 synthesis. Mesangial cells cocultured with endothelial cells were found to release PGE2 at rates much greater than those observed in mesangial cells not cocultured with endothelial cells. This effect persisted for at least 24 h after the mesangial cells were removed from coculture with endothelial cells. The increase in basal mesangial cell PGE2 synthesis was dependent on endothelial cell-derived ET-1. Despite the increase in basal PGE2 synthesis after coculture with endothelial cells, acute ET-1-stimulated PGE2 release was markedly blunted in mesangial cells that had been cocultured with endothelial cells when compared with mesangial cells in solo-culture. This lack of responsiveness was specific for ET-1 and resulted from a profound downregulation of mesangial cell endothelin receptors. Thus coculture with endothelial cells produces two apparently opposing and ET-1-dependent effects in mesangial cells, namely a sustained increase in basal PGE2 synthesis by the cells and a loss of responsiveness to further stimulation with ET-1. It is postulated that the induction of sustained PGE2 synthesis may also occur in vivo if endothelin release from endothelial cells is stimulated and may explain, in part, the extraordinary sensitivity of some patients with glomerular disease to cyclooxygenase inhibitors.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Regulated expression of endothelin 1 in glomerular capillary endothelial cells.

Endothelin (ET)-1 is a powerful vasoconstrictor known to be produced and secreted by endothelial cells lining large vessels. Because ET-1 stimulates glomerular mesangial cell contraction, glomerular capillary endothelial cells (GEN), normally situated in close apposition to mesangial cells, were examined for potential ET expression and secretion. Cultured bovine GEN released ET in a time-dependent fashion. ET secretion was significantly stimulated by bradykinin, an agonist known to activate phospholipase C in these cells. Preproendothelin 1 (preproET-1) mRNA levels in GEN rose in a biphasic manner on stimulation with bradykinin. The early increments (at 30 min) were not dependent on new protein synthesis, whereas the late rise (6 h after addition of bradykinin) appeared to be protein synthesis dependent. Neither early or late bradykinin-stimulated preproET-1 mRNA expression in glomerular endothelial cells was due to inhibition of mRNA breakdown. Both phases of preproET-1 mRNA expression were observed with other glomerular endothelial cell calcium-mobilizing agonists, namely thrombin, and were mimicked by the calcium ionophore ionomycin. By contrast, the protein kinase C activator phorbol myristate acetate only enhanced preproET-1 mRNA expression at 30 min and suppressed expression thereafter. It is concluded that GEN have the potential to express and secrete ET-1 in a phospholipase C-regulated fashion. Furthermore, because glomerular mesangial cells respond to this peptide, the findings raise the possibility of paracrine regulation of mesangial cell tone by glomerular endothelial cell-derived ET-1.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Endothelium-derived vasoactive mediators and renal glomerular function.

Glomerular endothelial cells are located in extremely close proximity to glomerular mesangial cells, without intervening basement membrane. This close apposition of the two cell types suggest that interactions between the cells should readily occur. Given that endothelial cells are known to produce mediators which regulate the tone of underlying vascular smooth muscle cells, the hypothesis that glomerular endothelial cells can produce endothelium-derived relaxation factor and the potent vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 was examined. Pure cultures of glomerular endothelial cells were established in vitro. The cells expressed a number of characteristics that identified them as endothelial cells, namely Factor VIII related antigen, angiotensin I converting enzyme, and uptake of acetylated LDL. The glomerular endothelial cells responded to the calcium-mobilizing agonists bradykinin, ATP, thrombin and platelet activating factor with a significant rise in cytosolic calcium concentrations. Under basal conditions, the glomerular endothelial cells produced a mediator pharmacologically indistinguishable from EDRF, which raised cGMP levels in co-incubated mesangial cells approximately 4 to 5-fold. The calcium-mobilizing agonists further stimulated EDRF release by glomerular endothelial cells. Glomerular endothelial cells in culture were also found to express mRNA for endothelin-1, and to secrete this peptide into their supernatant. Furthermore, the calcium-mobilizing agonists markedly stimulated endothelin-1 release by activating endothelin-1 gene transcription. Glomerular mesangial cells respond to EDRF with a rise in cytosolic cGMP concentration and relaxation, and to endothelin-1 with a rise in cytosolic calcium concentration and contraction. It is therefore proposed that local release of EDRF and endothelin-1 by glomerular endothelial cells may participate in the regulation of glomerular hemodynamics through alterations in mesangial cell contractile tone.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Tumor necrosis factor alpha activates soluble guanylate cyclase in bovine glomerular mesangial cells via an L-arginine-dependent mechanism.

Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) causes vasodilatation by activating soluble guanylate cyclase, and glomerular mesangial cells respond to NO with elevations of intracellular guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). We explored whether mesangial cells can be stimulated to produce NO and whether NO modulates mesangial cell function in an autocrine or paracrine fashion. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) raised mesangial cell cGMP levels in a time- and concentration-dependent manner (threshold dose 1 ng/ml, IC50 13.8 ng/ml, maximal response 100 ng/ml). TNF-alpha-induced increases in mesangial cGMP content were evident at 8 h and maximal at 18-24 h. The TNF-alpha-induced stimulation of mesangial cell cGMP production was abrogated by actinomycin D or cycloheximide suggesting dependence on new RNA or protein synthesis. Hemoglobin and methylene blue, both known to inhibit NO action, dramatically reduced TNF-alpha-induced mesangial cell cGMP production. Superoxide dismutase, known to potentiate NO action, augmented the TNF-alpha-induced effect. Ng-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) decreased cGMP levels in TNF-alpha-treated, but not vehicle-treated mesangial cells in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 53 microM). L-arginine had no effect on cGMP levels in control or TNF-alpha-treated mesangial cells but reversed L-NMMA-induced inhibition. Interleukin 1 beta and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), but not interferon gamma, also increased mesangial cell cGMP content. Transforming growth factor beta 1 blunted the mesangial cell response to TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha-induced L-arginine-dependent increases in cGMP were also evident in bovine renal artery vascular smooth muscle cells, COS-1 cells, and 1502 human fibroblasts. These findings suggest that TNF-alpha induces expression in mesangial cell of an enzyme(s) involved in the formation of L-arginine-derived NO. Moreover, the data indicate that NO acts in an autocrine and paracrine fashion to activate mesangial cell soluble guanylate cyclase. Cytokine-induced formation of NO in mesangial and vascular smooth muscle cells may be implicated in the pathogenesis of septic shock.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Heterogeneity of cell surface endothelin receptors.

Two distinct cell surface endothelin receptors were identified, namely a 73-kDa protein referred to as ET-R1 and a 60-kDa protein named ET-R2. ET-R1 was expressed as the sole endothelin receptor on rat A10 vascular smooth muscle cells and C6 glial cells. Binding of 125I-ET-1 to these cells was inhibited by 50-200 pM endothelin-1 and -2, whereas endothelin-3 did not compete for this receptor subtype. Binding of 125I-ET-1 to intact A10 and C6 cells was reversible, indicating that ET-R1 is located on the cell surface. Affinity labelling of a single 73-kDa band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels by 125I-ET-1 in A10 and C6 cells was inhibited by endothelin-1 but not by endothelin-3. In A10 cells, endothelin-1 but not endothelin-3 elicited a concentration-dependent increase in intracellular inositol trisphosphate levels. ET-R1 was also expressed in cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells based on findings of a subset of receptors with an apparent molecular mass of 73 kDa that bound 125I-ET-1 displacable by endothelin-1 and endothelin-2 but not by endothelin-3. These cells also expressed the ET-R2 receptor subtype, based on findings of a 60-kDa binding site that could be labeled by both 125I-ET-1 and 125I-ET-3. Labeling of ET-R2 by the radioactive endothelins-1 and -3 was inhibited competitively by endothelins-1, -2, and -3. Furthermore, ET-R2 was shown to be a functional receptor, as endothelin-3 caused inositol trisphosphate levels to rise in mesangial cells. An endothelin binding site with high affinity for endothelin-3 was also identified on rat PC12 pheochromocytoma cells, although the apparent molecular mass of this receptor could not be verified by cross-linking studies. Since endothelin-1 or -3 failed to augment inositol trisphosphate levels in these cells, this binding site could represent a third endothelin receptor subtype. Thus, two distinct functional receptors for endothelins were identified on rat cells, namely the 73-kDa ET-R1 which has an exceedingly low affinity for endothelin-3 and the 60-kDa ET-R2 which binds endothelin-3 with high affinity. Whether an additional endothelin receptor subtype exists in PC12 cells remains to be shown with certainty.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

pH regulation and response to AVP in A10 cells differ markedly in the presence vs. absence of CO2-HCO3-.

The fluorescent pH-sensitive dye 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) was used to determine the effect of ambient CO2-HCO3- on the regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) and the pHi response to arginine vasopressin (AVP) in A10 vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells. Steady-state pHi averaged 7.04 +/- 0.02 in the absence and 7.25 +/- 0.01 in the presence of CO2-HCO3-. In the absence of CO2-HCO3-, virtually all (greater than 96%) of the acid extrusion from acidification occurred by amiloride-sensitive Na(+)-H+ exchange. However, in the presence of CO2-HCO3-, acid extrusion after acidification occurred by both Na(+)-H+ exchange and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS)-sensitive Na(+)-dependent Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange. In CO2-HCO3(-)-containing media, amiloride-sensitive Na(+)-H+ exchange mediated 85% of acid extrusion at a pHi of 6.48, but the DIDS-sensitive acid extrusion mechanism (NA(+)-dependent Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange) was the dominant acid extrusion mechanism at a pHi of 6.94. Base exited A10 cells by a DIDS-sensitive process consistent with Na(+)-independent Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange. Both amiloride- and DIDS-sensitive processes regulated steady-state pHi in CO2-HCO3-. AVP (10(-7) M) alkalinized steady-state pHi in the absence of CO2-HCO3- (delta pHi = 0.08 +/- 0.01 pH units) by stimulating Na(+)-H+ exchange; however, AVP did not alter pHi of untreated cells in CO2-HCO3- (delta pHi = -0.01 +/- 0.01 pH units) because of concomitant stimulation of Na(+)-independent Cl(-)-HCO3-exchange. We conclude that the steady-state pHi, the mechanisms of pHi regulation, and the pHi response to AVP in A10 cells are critically influenced by the presence of extracellular CO2-HCO3-. Thus the potential contribution of pHi changes to VSM cell responses to vasoactive agents should be evaluated in the presence of CO2-HCO3-.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1990

Influence of Na+ intake on dopamine-induced inhibition of renal cortical Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase.

The enzyme L-amino acid decarboxylase (L-AADC), found in abundance in rat proximal tubule cell cytosol, converts L-dopa to dopamine. Dopamine, in turn, suppresses proximal tubule sodium transport by inhibiting Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity. We sought to determine whether changes in dietary sodium intake in rats lead to adaptation of dopamine formation and dopamine-induced Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase inhibition. In rats on a high-salt (HS) diet, the maximal velocity (Vmax) of renal cortical L-AADC was 78 +/- 19% higher than that in rats on a low-salt (LS) diet. The Michaelis constant (Km) of the enzyme remained unchanged. In renal cortical tubule cell suspensions the L-dopa-induced inhibition of ouabain-sensitive oxygen consumption (QO2) was significantly greater in rats on HS diet than in rats on LS diet. Furthermore, L-dopa completely inhibited the nystatin-induced rise in QO2 in the HS but not in the LS group. Carbidopa, an inhibitor of L-AADC, abolished the L-dopa-induced inhibition of nystatin-stimulated QO2 in cells from HS rats and was without significant effect in cells from LS rats. L-Dopa-stimulated K+ efflux was greater in cells from HS rats at 28 +/- 1 nmol.min-1.mg protein-1, compared with 7 +/- 6 nmol.min-1.ng protein-1 in cells from LS rats. By contrast, ouabain-stimulated K+ efflux did not differ between the groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Brain natriuretic peptide: interaction with renal ANP system.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has recently been found in porcine brain and has been shown to cause diuresis and natriuresis when injected in rats, effects similar to those caused by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). BNP is also synthesized in the cardiac atria and circulates in plasma. The amino acid sequence of the peptide resembles that of ANP particularly closely within the ring structure of the peptide. We examined the potential role of BNP in modulating renal function by assessing its ability to mimic the effects of ANP on rat glomeruli and in rabbit inner medullary collecting duct cells (IMCD). BNP bound with high affinity to glomeruli (Kd approximately 900 pM) and IMCD cells (Kd approximately 500 pM). In IMCD cells, BNP stimulated particulate guanylate cyclase (approximately 3-fold at maximum ligand concentration) and inhibited conductive 22Na+ uptake by 50% at concentrations at which ANP is also effective. In rat glomeruli, BNP bound with high affinity to the low-molecular-weight receptors but with lesser affinity to the higher-molecular-weight guanylate cyclase-linked receptors (Kd approximately 50 nM). In addition, the guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate accumulation response was less impressive in glomeruli than the guanylate cyclase response in IMCD tissue. Thus we conclude that BNP is of only slightly reduced affinity and potency for the ANP receptors in the kidney and probably acts through these receptors to exert its physiological effects.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Glomerular endothelial cells respond to calcium-mobilizing agonists with release of EDRF.

To determine whether glomerular endothelial cells (GEN) may play a role in the local control of glomerular function by releasing endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), the effect of several agonists on GEN cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and GEN EDRF release was determined. Bradykinin, ATP, thrombin, and platelet-activating factor (PAF) all increased [Ca2+]i in GEN in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas serotonin, acetylcholine, phenylephrine, and endothelin-1 were without effect. Coincubation of glomerular mesangial cells (GMC) with GEN augmented mesangial cell guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) content five- to sixfold, Bradykinin elicited a further concentration-dependent increase in GMC cGMP content in the presence but not absence of GEN. The GEN-dependent bradykinin-stimulated GMC cGMP accumulation was abolished by hemoglobin and methylene blue, blunted by gossypol, and augmented by superoxide dismutase. Other agonists capable of augmenting GEN [Ca2+]i also stimulated GMC cGMP accumulation in the presence but not in the absence of GEN. Thus cultured GEN release a factor that stimulates cGMP accumulation in adjacent mesangial cells which has the pharmacological characteristics of EDRF.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Dopamine1-receptor blockade inhibits ANP-induced phosphaturia and calciuria in rats.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is known to enhance the excretion of Pi and Ca, solutes reabsorbed primarily by the proximal tubule. Previous studies have shown that proximal tubule Na transport is inhibited by dopamine (DA), and that the natriuretic action of ANP is blunted by DA-receptor blockade. However, alterations in Na reabsorption cannot localize ANP or DA action to a specific nephron site. Therefore, the possibility that DA mediates the apparent proximal tubule effects of ANP was investigated with the use of Pi and Ca as proximal tubule markers. ANP was infused into normal rats in the presence and absence of specific DA-receptor antagonists, and Na, Pi, and Ca excretion rates were determined. ANP enhanced Na, Pi, and Ca excretion at doses that failed to alter glomerular filtration rate and mean arterial pressure (MAP). DA1-receptor blockade significantly blunted the influence of ANP on urinary Na, Pi, and Ca excretion, whereas DA2-receptor blockade was without effect. MAP and inulin and p-aminohippurate (PAH) clearances remained stable during DA-receptor blockade. Because endogenous ANP levels are elevated in rats with remnant kidneys, and because blockade of endogenous ANP reduces Pi and Ca as well as Na excretion in this model, the effect of DA1-receptor blockade on solute excretion was also examined in rats with 5/6 nephrectomy. DA1-receptor blockade significantly reduced absolute and fractional Na, Pi, and Ca excretion in rats with 5/6 nephrectomy, in the absence of measurable changes in MAP, inulin, or PAH clearance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Leukotrienes stimulate neutrophil adhesion to mesangial cells: modulation with lipoxins.

We have examined polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) adhesion to mesangial cells (MC) in vitro and have assessed the actions of lipoxygenase (LO) products in this process. On exposure to either leukotriene B4 (LTB4), or leukotriene D4 (LTD4), 111In-labeled PMNs adhere to monolayers of cultured MC. These actions were rapid in onset (less than 5 min) and dependent upon leukotriene concentration (10(-9) to 10(-6) M) and the presence of divalent cations. Adhesion was sustained (0-30 min), and neither LTB4 nor LTD4 was metabolized to inactive products during PMN-MC interaction, as determined by their recovery after reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. LTB4 was a PMN-directed stimulus, whereas LTD4 appeared to act on MC. A monoclonal antibody (TS 1/18) against the CD18 component of the PMN CD18/CD11 adhesion complex inhibited the LTB4-induced response, indicating involvement of this PMN glycoprotein in the adhesion process. In contrast, this antibody did not affect LTD4-induced adhesion, suggesting that this response was mediated by other adhesion epitopes. When added alone, neither lipoxin A4 (LXA4) nor lipoxin B4 (LXB4) provoked PMN adhesion to MC. In contrast, LXA4 and LXB4 at equimolar concentrations attenuated the LTD4- but not LTB4-induced response. Together, these results provide further evidence that LO-derived eicosanoids may constitute important early signals that regulate PMN-MC interaction in glomerular inflammation.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1989

Identification and characterization of endothelin binding sites in rat renal papillary and glomerular membranes.

The present study was designed to identify and characterize specific endothelin binding sites in membranes of rat renal papillae and glomeruli which appear to be target tissues for this new peptide hormone. Saturation binding studies indicate that the sites have a high and uniform affinity. The dissociation constants averaged 662 +/- 151 and 1309 +/- 123 pM and the receptor densities 7666 +/- 920 and 5831 +/- 348 fmol/mg protein for papillary and glomerular membranes, respectively. Endothelin 1, endothelin 3 and sarafotoxin all inhibited [125I]-endothelin binding with IC50's in the 100-300 pM range, whereas unrelated peptides, namely angiotensin II, atrial natriuretic peptide, and platelet-derived growth factor failed to compete for [125I]-endothelin binding. Deletion of the carboxyterminal tryptophan in endothelin 1 reduced its affinity for glomerular binding sites by 2 orders of magnitude. Specific endothelin binding to these membranes was maximal at pH 4 and was markedly inhibited as the pH was raised above 8. When [125I]-endothelin is covalently linked to glomerular membrane binding sites, SDS-PAGE of these solubilized membranes followed by autoradiography reveals a predominant specifically labeled band of 45 kDa. Whether this band represents a subunit of the endothelin receptor(s), the receptor proper, or an intracellular endothelin binding protein remains to be determined.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Endothelin action on vascular smooth muscle involves inositol trisphosphate and calcium mobilization.

Cultured endothelial cells release a potent vasoconstrictor peptide, endothelin. Cumulative addition of synthetic endothelin to isolated rabbit aortic rings elicited a concentration-dependent increase in contractile tension which was endothelium-independent. In cultured rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells loaded with the fluorescent dye fura 2, endothelin induced a concentration-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i over the range of 0.01 to 100 nM. Moreover, in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, endothelin could still induce an increase in [Ca2+]i. In addition, endothelin stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux from preloaded vascular smooth muscle cells in the presence and absence of extracellular Ca2+, as well as stimulating 45Ca2+ influx in a concentration-dependent manner. Measurement of inositol phosphates in [3H]-myoinositol-labelled vascular vascular trisphosphate. Unlabelled endothelin inhibited (125I)-endothelin binding to cultured rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Binding was not inhibited by other vasoactive hormones or calcium channel ligands, suggesting cell surface receptors specific for endothelin. We conclude that one of the initial membrane events in the action of endothelin is to induce phospholipase C-stimulated PIP2 hydrolysis and that this signalling mechanism is initiated by endothelin/receptor interaction at the plasma membrane.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Regulation of bovine glomerular endothelial cell growth in vitro.

To enable the study of glomerular endothelial cell functions and interactions with other glomerular cells, bovine glomerular capillary endothelial cells were established in culture. Selective media were used to facilitate endothelial cell proliferation and to suppress glomerular mesangial cell growth. Glomerular endothelial cells were separated from other cell types by fluorescence-activated cell sorting or, alternatively, by cloning. Glomerular endothelial cells expressed angiotensin I-converting enzyme and factor VIII activity and acetylated LDL uptake, properties generally held to be specific for endothelial cells. Proliferation of subconfluent glomerular endothelial cells was stimulated by basic fibroblast growth factor and, in the presence of heparin sodium, by acidic fibroblast growth factor. Platelet-derived growth factor was without effect on glomerular endothelial cell proliferation. Coculture with mesangial cells markedly inhibited proliferation of subconfluent glomerular endothelial cells. By contrast, medium conditioned by confluent glomerular endothelial cells markedly enhanced proliferation of subconfluent glomerular endothelial cells. These findings suggest that glomerular endothelial cell growth is under autocrine and paracrine control.

Animals↗