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MDCK Cells (mdck + cell)
Selected AbstractsReleased nucleotides amplify the cilium-dependent, flow-induced [Ca2+]i response in MDCK cellsACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 3 2009H. A. Praetorius Abstract Aim:, Changes in perfusate flow produce increases in [Ca2+]i in renal epithelial cells. Cultured renal epithelia require primary cilia to sense subtle changes in flow. In perfused kidney tubules this flow response is caused by nucleotide signalling via P2Y2 receptors. It is, however, not known whether nucleotides are released by mechanical stress applied to renal primary cilia. Here we investigate whether nucleotides are released during the cilium-dependent flow response and contribute to the flow-induced, cilium-dependent [Ca2+]i signal. Methods:, MDCK cells loaded with Fluo-4-AM were observed at 37 °C in semi-open single or closed-double perfusion chambers. Results:, Our data suggest a purinergic component of the cilium-dependent flow-response: (1) ATP scavengers and P2 receptor antagonists reduced (55%) the cilium-dependent flow-response; (2) ATP added at subthreshold concentration sensitized the renal epithelia to flow changes; (3) increases in fluid flow transiently enhanced the ATP concentration in the superfusate (measured by biosensor-cells). To test if nucleotides were released in sufficient quantities to stimulate renal epithelia we used non-confluent MDCK cells without cilia as reporter cells. We confirmed that non-confluent cells do not respond to changes in fluid flow. Placing confluent, ciliated cells upstream in the in-flow path of the non-confluent cells made them responsive to fluid flow changes. This phenomenon was not observed if either non-confluent or de-ciliated confluent cells were placed upstream. The [Ca2+]i -response in the non-confluent cells with ciliated cells upstream was abolished by apyrase and suramin. Conclusion:, This suggests that subtle flow changes sensed by the primary cilium induces nucleotide release, which amplifies the epithelial [Ca2+]i -response. [source] Effect of capsaicin on Ca2+ fluxes in Madin-Darby canine renal tubular cellsDRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, Issue 2 2010Jeng-Hsien Yeh Abstract The effect of capsaicin, a transient receptor potential vanniloid-1 (TRPV1) receptor agonist, on cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells is unclear. This study explored whether capsaicin changed basal [Ca2+]i levels in suspended MDCK cells by using fura-2 as a Ca2+ -sensitive fluorescent dye. Capsaicin at concentrations between 10,100,µM increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner. The Ca2+ signal was reduced by 80% by removing extracellular Ca2+. Capsacin induced Mn2+ influx, leading to quench of fura-2 fluorescence suggesting Ca2+ influx. This Ca2+ influx was inhibited by phospholipase A2 inhibitor aristolochic acid and the non-selective Ca2+ entry blocker La3+, but not by store-operated Ca2+ channel blockers nifedipine, econazole, and SK&F96365, and protein kinase C/A modulators. In Ca2+ -free medium, pretreatment with the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor thapsigargin abolished capsaicin-induced Ca2+ release. Conversely, pretreatment with capsaicin partly reduced thapsigargin-induced [Ca2+]i rise. Inhibition of phospholipase C with U73122 did not alter capsaicin-induced [Ca2+]i rise. The TRPV1 receptor antagonist capsazepine also induced significant Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ release. Collectively, in MDCK cells, capsaicin induced [Ca2+]i rises by causing phospholipase C-independent Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum and Ca2+ influx via phospholipase A2-regulated, La3+ -sensitive Ca2+ channels in a manner dissociated from stimulation of TRPV1 receptors. Drug Dev Res, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Nonylphenol-induced cytosolic Ca2+ elevation and death in renal tubular cellsDRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, Issue 5 2009Jeng-Yu Tsai Abstract Nonylphenol is an environmental endocrine disrupter. The effect of nonylphenol on intracellular free Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) and viability in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells was explored. Nonylphenol increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50,0.8,,M). Nonylphenol-induced Mn2+ entry demonstrated Ca2+ influx and removal of extracellular Ca2+ partly decreased the [Ca2+]i rise. The [Ca2+]i rise was inhibited by the protein kinase C activator, phorbol 13-myristate acetate (PMA) but not by L-type Ca2+ channel blockers. In Ca2+ -free medium, nonylphenol-induced [Ca2+]i rise was partly inhibited by pretreatment with 1,,M thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor). Conversely, nonylphenol pretreatment abolished thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ release. Nonylphenol-induced Ca2+ release was unaltered by inhibition of phospholipase C. At concentrations of 5,100,,M, nonylphenol killed cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The cytotoxic effect of 100,,M nonylphenol was not affected by preventing [Ca2+]i rises with BAPTA/AM. Collectively, this study shows that nonylphenol induced [Ca2+]i increase in MDCK cells via evoking Ca2+ entry through protein kinase C-regulated Ca2+ channels, and releasing Ca2+ from endoplasmic reticulum and other stores in a phospholipase C-independent manner. Nonylphenol also killed cells in a Ca2+ -independent fashion. Drug Dev Res, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Expression of multiple P2Y receptors by MDCK-D1 cells: P2Y1 receptor cloning and signalingDRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, Issue 1 2003Richard J. Hughes The Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line, a well-differentiated renal epithelial cell line, is a useful model to examine P2Y receptor signaling and response. Our studies with MDCK-D1, a clonal isolate, demonstrate that these cells release ATP in response to mechanical stimulation and activation of certain G-protein-coupled receptors. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) studies document that MDCK cells express multiple P2Y receptors, including P2Y1, P2Y2, P2Y6, and P2Y11 receptors. We isolated cDNAs for several of the P2Y receptor genes and expressed these in cells, such as the 1321N1 astrocytoma cell line, that lack native P2Y receptor expression. We report here the molecular cloning of the MDCK P2Y1 receptor, heterologous expression in 1321N1 cells, and the ability of the heterologously expressed receptors to increase intracellular calcium and phosphoinositide hydrolysis. ADP, methylthioATP, and ADP,S are agonists with the greatest potency, while ATP and ATP,S show lower potency and efficacy, and benzoylbenzoylATP, UTP, and UDP lack efficacy at the cloned P2Y1 receptor. Several antagonists, including MRS2179, A3P5PS, suramin, and PPADS blocked response at the cloned P2Y1 receptors. With their ability to respond to ADP and ATP, P2Y1 receptors, along with other P2Y receptors expressed in MDCK cells, contribute to the response of these cells to ATP (or its breakdown product, ADP) released from the cells and to exogenously added nucleotides. Drug Dev. Res. 59:1,7, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Secretion of proteases in serglycin transfected Madin,Darby canine kidney cellsFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 3 2006Lillian Zernichow Madin,Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, which do not normally express the proteoglycan (PG) serglycin, were stably transfected with cDNA for human serglycin fused to a polyhistidine tag (His-tag). Clones with different levels of serglycin mRNA expression were generated. One clone with lower and one with higher serglycin mRNA expression were selected for this study. 35S-labelled serglycin in cell fractions and conditioned media was isolated using HisTrap affinity chromatography. Serglycin could also be detected in conditioned media using western blotting. To investigate the possible importance of serglycin linked to protease secretion, enzyme activities using chromogenic substrates and zymography were measured in cell fractions and serum-free conditioned media of the different clones. Cells were cultured in both the absence and presence of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). In general, enzyme secretion was strongly enhanced by treatment with PMA. Our analyses revealed that the clone with the highest serglycin mRNA expression, level of HisTrap isolated 35S-labelled serglycin, and amount of serglycin core protein as detected by western blotting, also showed the highest secretion of proteases. Transfection of serglycin into MDCK cells clearly leads to changes in secretion levels of secreted endogenous proteases, and could provide further insight into the biosynthesis and secretion of serglycin and potential partner molecules. [source] Effect of Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin on MDCK cellsFEMS IMMUNOLOGY & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2001Erika Borrmann Abstract Epsilon toxin is one of the major lethal toxins produced by Clostridium perfringens type D and B. It is responsible for a rapidly fatal disease in sheep and other farm animals. Many facts have been published about the physical properties and the biological activities of the toxin, but the molecular mechanism of the action inside the cells remains unclear. We have found that the C. perfringens epsilon toxin caused a significant decrease of the cell numbers and a significant enlargement of the mean cell volume of MDCK cells. The flow cytometric analysis of DNA content revealed the elongation of the S phase and to a smaller extent of the G2+M phase of toxin-treated MDCK cells in comparison to untreated MDCK cells. The results of ultrastructural studies showed that the mitosis is disturbed and blocked at a very early stage, and confirmed the toxin influence on the cell cycle of MDCK cells. [source] hScrib, a human homologue of Drosophila neoplastic tumor suppressor, is a novel death substrate targeted by caspase during the process of apoptosisGENES TO CELLS, Issue 7 2008Kenbun Sone hScrib, human homologue of Drosophila neoplastic tumor suppressor, was identified as a target of human papillomavirus E6 oncoprotein for the ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Here, we report that hScrib is a novel death substrate targeted by caspase. Full-length hScrib was cleaved by caspase during death ligands-induced apoptosis, which generates a p170 C-terminal fragments in Hela cells. In vitro cleavage assay using recombinant caspases showed that hScrib is cleaved by the executioner caspases. DNA damage-induced apoptosis caused loss of expression of full-length hScrib, which was recovered by addition of capase-3 inhibitor in HaCat cells. TUNEL positive apoptotic cells, which were identified 4 h after UV irradiation in HaCat cells, showed loss of hScrib expression at the adherens junction. Mutational analysis identified the caspase-dependent cleavage site of hScrib at the position of Asp-504. Although MDCK cells transfected with GFP-fused wild-type hScrib showed loss of E-cadherin expression and shrinkage of cytoplasm by UV irradiation, cells transfected with hScrib with Ala substitution of Asp-504 showed resistance to caspase-dependent cleavage of hScrib and intact expression of E-cadherin. These results indicate that caspase-dependent cleavage of hScrib is a critical step for detachment of cell contact during the process of apoptosis. [source] Involvement of integrin-induced activation of protein kinase C in the formation of adherens junctionsGENES TO CELLS, Issue 5 2007Misa Ozaki In epithelial cells, tight junctions (TJs) and adherens junctions (AJs) form junctional complexes. At AJs, cadherins and nectins are the major cell-cell adhesion molecules. Nectins first form cell,cell adhesions and then recruit cadherins to the nectin-based cell,cell adhesion sites to form AJs in coordination with the activation of integrin ,v,3, followed by the formation of TJs. We previously demonstrated that when MDCK cells precultured at a low Ca2+ concentration were treated with the protein kinase C (PKC) activator 12- O -tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), incomplete AJs and a TJ-like structure were achieved. However, it remains unknown how PKC is activated and how it regulates the formation of cell,cell junctions. When MDCK cells precultured at a low Ca2+ concentration were treated with TPA, incomplete AJs were formed without the activation of integrin ,v,3. Treatment of cells with TPA also enhanced the phosphorylation of FAK, which transmits the outside-in signal of integrin and plays a role in the nectin-induced formation of AJs. In addition, inhibition of PKC suppressed the formation of AJs. These results indicate that the activation of PKC functions downstream of integrin ,v,3 and upstream of FAK, and is important for the nectin-induced formation of AJs. [source] The first CH domain of affixin activates Cdc42 and Rac1 through ,PIX, a Cdc42/Rac1-specific guanine nucleotide exchanging factorGENES TO CELLS, Issue 3 2004Wataru Mishima Rho GTPases, Cdc42 and Rac1, play pivotal roles in cell migration by efficiently integrating cell-substrate adhesion and actin polymerization. Although it has been suggested that integrins stimulate these Rho GTPases via some of integrin binding proteins such as focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin, the precise molecular mechanism is largely unknown. In this study, we showed that the over-expression of RP1 corresponding to the first CH domain (CH1) of affixin, an integrin-linked kinase (ILK)-binding protein, induced a significant actin reorganization in MDCK cells by activating Cdc42/Rac1. Affixin full length and RP1 co-immunoprecipitated with ,PIX, a Cdc42/Rac1-specific guanine nucleotide exchanging factor (GEF), and they co-localized at the tips of lamellipodia in motile cells. The involvement of ,PIX in the RP1-induced Cdc42 activation was demonstrated by the significant dominant negative effect of a point mutant of ,PIX, ,PIX (L383R, L384S), lacking GEF activity. Our data strongly support that ILK and affixin provide a novel signalling pathway that links integrin signalling to Cdc42/Rac1 activation. [source] p.R254Q mutation in the aquaporin-2 water channel causing dominant nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is due to a lack of arginine vasopressin-induced phosphorylation,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 10 2009Paul JM Savelkoul Abstract Vasopressin regulates human water homeostasis by re-distributing homotetrameric aquaporin-2 (AQP2) water channels from intracellular vesicles to the apical membrane of renal principal cells, a process in which phosphorylation of AQP2 at S256 by cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) is thought to be essential. Dominant nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), a disease in which the kidney is unable to concentrate urine in response to vasopressin, is caused by AQP2 gene mutations. Here, we investigated a reported patient case of dominant NDI caused by a novel p.R254Q mutation. Expressed in oocytes, AQP2-p.R254Q appeared to be a functional water channel, but was impaired in its transport to the cell surface to the same degree as AQP2-p.S256A, which mimics non-phosphorylated AQP2. In polarized MDCK cells, AQP2-p.R254Q was retained and was distributed similarly to that of unstimulated wt-AQP2 or AQP2-p.S256A. Upon co-expression, AQP2-p.R254Q interacted with, and retained wt-AQP2 in intracellular vesicles. In contrast to wild-type AQP2, forskolin did not increase AQP2-p.R254Q phosphorylation at S256 or its translocation to the apical membrane. Mimicking constitutive phosphorylation in AQP2-p.R254Q with the p.S256D mutation, however, rescued its apical membrane expression. These date indicate that a lack of S256 phosphorylation is the sole cause of dominant NDI here, and thereby, p.R254Q is a loss of function instead of a gain of function mutation in dominant NDI. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Overexpression of BAD preferentially augments anoikisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 2 2003Masashi Idogawa Abstract BAD is a BH3-only protein, and its proapoptotic activity is negatively regulated by serine phosphorylation. Here, we show that overexpression of BAD preferentially augments anchorage loss,induced apoptosis (anoikis). Gene transfer,mediated BAD overexpression alone did not induce apoptosis in attached MDCK cells but strongly augmented apoptosis when cells were cultured in suspension. In contrast, overexpression of another BH3-only protein, BID, displayed much lower augmentation of anoikis, suggesting a preferential contribution of BAD to anoikis. During suspension culture, unphosphorylated BAD was gradually increased and targeted to the mitochondria. Cotransfection of BAD with constitutively active Akt cDNA strongly inhibited this change. In contrast, the increase of unphosphorylated BAD was not significantly inhibited by several phosphatase inhibitors or cotransfection with a dominant negative calcineurin cDNA, implying that the increase may be mainly due to a decrease of serine kinase activity, such as that of Akt. Similar results were observed in COS-7 cells, suggesting that BAD overexpression can increase sensitivity of anchorage-dependent cancer cells to anoikis. Thus, we propose that BAD can serve as a valuable gene therapeutic molecule to inhibit carcinoma progression. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A new panel of NS1 antibodies for easy detection and titration of influenza A virus,JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 3 2010Zhihao Tan Abstract The non-structural protein NS1 of the influenza A virus is a good target for the development of diagnostic assays. In this study, three NS1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were generated by using recombinant NS1 protein of H5N1 virus and found to bind both the native and denatured forms of NS1. Two of the mAbs, 6A4 and 2H6, bind NS1 of three different strains of influenza A virus, namely H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1. Epitope mapping revealed that residues 42,53 of H5N1 NS1 are essential for the interaction with both mAbs. Between the three strains, there is only one amino acid difference in this domain, which is consistent with the observed cross-reactivities. On the other hand, mAb 1G1 binds to residues 206,215 of H5N1 NS1 and does not bind NS1 of H1N1 or H3N2. Furthermore, all three mAbs detected NS1 proteins expressed in virus infected MDCK cells and indirect immunofluorescence staining with mAbs 6A4 and 2H6 provided an alternative method for viral titer determination. Quantifying the numbers of fluorescent foci units yielded viral titers for three different isolates of H5N1 virus that are highly comparable to that obtained by observing cytopathic effect induced by virus infection. Importantly, this alternative method yields results at 1 day post-infection while the conventional method using cytopathic effect yields results at 3 days post-infection. The results showed that this new panel of NS1 antibodies can detect NS1 protein expressed during viral infection and can be used for fast and easy titration of influenza A virus. J. Med. Virol. 82:467,475, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Melatonin increases stress fibers and focal adhesions in MDCK cells: participation of Rho-associated kinase and protein kinase CJOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2007Gerardo Ramírez-Rodríguez Abstract:, Melatonin cyclically modifies water transport measured as dome formation in MDCK cells. An optimal increase in water transport, concomitant with elevated stress fiber (SF) formation, occurs at nocturnal plasma melatonin concentrations (1 nm) after 6 hr of incubation. Blockage in melatonin-elicited dome formation was observed with protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors. Despite, this information on the precise mechanism by which melatonin increases SF formation involved in water transport is not known. Focal adhesion contacts (FAC) are cytoskeletal structures, which participate in MDCK membrane polarization. SF organization and vinculin phosphorylation are involved in FAC assembly and both processes are mediated by PKC, an enzyme stimulated by melatonin; in these processes also involved is Rho-associated kinase (ROCK). Thus, we studied FAC formation and the ROCK/PKC pathway as the mechanism by which melatonin increases SF formation and water transport. The results showed that 1 nM melatonin and the PKC agonist phorbol-12-miristate-13-acetate increased FAC. The PKC inhibitor GF109203x, and the ROCK inhibitor Y27632, blocked increased FAC caused by melatonin. ROCK and PKC activities, vinculin phosphorylation and FAC formation were increased with melatonin. The PKC inhibitor, GF109203x, abolished both melatonin stimulated FAC in whole cells and ROCK activity, indicating that ROCK is a downstream kinase in the melatonin-stimulated PKC pathway in MDCK cultured cells that causes an increase in SF and FAC formation. Data also document that melatonin modulates water transport through modifications of the cytoskeletal structure. [source] Cloning and heterologous expression of the ovine (Ovis aries) P-glycoprotein (Mdr1) in Madin,Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cellsJOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2010D. ZAHNER Zahner, D., Alber, J., Petzinger, E. Cloning and heterologous expression of the ovine (Ovis aries) P-glycoprotein (Mdr1) in Madin,Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.33, 304,311. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) plays a crucial role in the multidrug resistance of pathogenic helminths in sheep (Ovis aries) as well as in antiparasitic drug pharmacokinetics in the host. We cloned sheep P-gp cDNA and expressed it stably in Madin,Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. The open reading frame consists of 3858 nucleotides coding for a 1285 amino acids containing protein. The sequence shows high homology to the orthologs of other mammalian species, especially cattle. Both ruminant DNA sequences show a 9 bp insertion that is lacking in all other investigated sequences. Expressed in MDCK cells, the protein displays a size of 170 kDa on Western analysis. Transfection of MDCK cells with sheep P-gp resulted in 10- to 50-fold resistance to the cytotoxic P-gp substrates colchicin and daunorubicin, and in reduced digoxin accumulation. [source] Broad-spectrum antiviral effect of Agrimonia pilosa extract on influenza virusesMICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Woo-Jin Shin ABSTRACT Influenza virus continues to emerge and re-emerge, posing new threats for humans. Here we tested various Korean medicinal plant extracts for potential antiviral activity against influenza viruses. Among them, an extract of Agrimonia pilosa was shown to be highly effective against all three subtypes of human influenza viruses including H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A subtypes and influenza B virus. The EC50 value against influenza A virus, as tested by the plaque reduction assay on MDCK cells, was 14,23 ,g/ml. The extract also exhibited a virucidal effect at a concentration of 160,570 ng/ml against influenza A and B viruses when the viruses were treated with the extract prior to plaque assay. In addition, when tested in embryonated chicken eggs the extract exhibited a strong inhibitory effect in ovo on the H9N2 avian influenza virus at a concentration of 280 ng/ml. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis data showed that the extract, to some degree, suppressed viral RNA synthesis in MDCK cells. HI and inhibition of neuraminidase were observed only at high concentrations of the extract. And yet, the extract's antiviral activity required direct contact between it and the virus, suggesting that its antiviral action is mediated by the viral membrane, but does not involve the two major surface antigens, HA and NA, of the virus. The broad-spectrum antiviral activity of Agrimonia pilosa extract on various subtypes of influenza viruses merits further investigation as it may provide a means of managing avian influenza infections in poultry farms and potential avian-human transmission. [source] Effects of Clinacanthus siamensis leaf extract on influenza virus infectionMICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Mali Wirotesangthong ABSTRACT Ethanolic extracts of 20 medicinal plants were screened for influenza virus NA inhibition and in vitro antiviral activities using MDCK cells in an MTT assay. The vaccine proteins of influenza virus A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1), mouse-adapted influenza virus A/Guizhou/54/89 (A/G)(H3N2) and mouse-adapted influenza virus B/Ibaraki/2/85 (B/I) were used in the NA inhibition assay, and mouse-adapted influenza viruses A/PR/8/34 (H1N1), A/G and B/I were used in the in vitro antiviral assay. The results of the in vitro antiviral assay indicated that the A/G virus was the most susceptible and an extract of the leaf of CS possessed the highest in vitro anti-A/G virus activity (41.98%). Therefore, the A/G virus and the CS extract were selected for studying in vivo anti-influenza virus activity. BALB/c mice were treated with CS extract (100 mg/kg per day, 5 times) orally from 4 hr before to 4 days after infection. CS extract elicited significant production of anti-influenza virus IgG1 antibody in BAW and increased mouse weight compared to oseltamivir (0.1 mg/kg per day) on day 19 or water on days 17,19 of infection. Moreover, CS extract produced a higher anti-influenza virus IgA antibody level in BAW compared to oseltamivir, and a tendency towards an increase in anti-influenza virus IgA compared to water was shown. The results suggest that CS extract has a protective effect against influenza virus infection. [source] Differential expression of heat shock protein 27 and 70 in renal papillary collecting duct and interstitial cells , implications for urea resistanceTHE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005Wolfgang Neuhofer The adaptation of renal medullary cells to their hyperosmotic environment involves the accumulation of compatible organic osmolytes and the enhanced synthesis of heat shock proteins (HSP) 27 and 70. While the mechanisms leading to osmolyte accumulation are similar in papillary collecting duct (PCD) and papillary interstitial (PI) cells, the present data demonstrate that HSP27 and HSP70 are expressed differentially in these cells both in vivo and in vitro. HSP70 is abundant in PCD, but not expressed in PI cells in the papilla in situ, while HSP27 is expressed in both PCD and PI cells. These observations could be reproduced by non-permeant solutes in cultured cells. Osmotic stress strongly induced HSP70 in MDCK cells (as a model for PCD cells), but not in PI cells, while HSP27 was constitutively expressed in MDCK cells and was up-regulated in PI cells. Since prior hypertonic stress (NaCl addition) protects MDCK against subsequent exposure to high urea concentrations, this effect was also assessed in PI cells. In both cell lines, hypertonic pretreatment prior to urea exposure (400 mm) strongly attenuated caspase-3 activation. Inhibition of HSP27 expression by antisense transfection diminished the protective effect of hypertonic preconditioning in PI cells, while attenuation of HSP70 expression in MDCK cells diminished the protective effect of hypertonic preconditioning in these cells. These observations indicate that PCD and PI cells employ cell-specific mechanisms for protection against high urea concentrations as present in the renal papilla during antidiuresis. [source] Effects of tetraalkylammonium compounds with different affinities for organic cation transporters on the pharmacokinetics of metforminBIOPHARMACEUTICS AND DRUG DISPOSITION, Issue 9 2007Min-Koo Choi Abstract The study sought to investigate the effects of tetraalkylammonium (TAA), inhibitors of the organic cation transporters (OCTs) with different affinities, on the pharmacokinetics of metformin. The inhibitory potentials of TAAs on the uptake of metformin were evaluated by determining IC50 values in MDCK cells over-expressing OCTs and, to assess in vivo drug interactions, metformin and TAAs were coadministered to rats. Uptake of metformin was facilitated by over-expression of hOCT1 and hOCT2 and showed saturable processes, indicating that metformin is a substrate of hOCT1 and hOCT2. The IC50 values of TAAs for hOCT2 were lower than hOCT1 and decreased with increasing alkyl chain length, indicating that the inhibitory potential of TAAs on metformin uptake was greater in hOCT2 than in hOCT1 and increased with increasing alkyl chain length. The plasma concentration of metformin was elevated by the coadministration of tetrapropylammonium (TPrA) and tetrapentylammonium (TPeA), but not by tetramethylammonium (TMA) or tetraethylammonium (TEA). However, the plasma concentrations of TMA, TEA and TPrA were not changed by the coadministration of metformin. In conclusion, in vivo drug interactions between metformin and TAAs were caused only when metformin was coadministered with TAAs showing higher affinities for OCTs. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A microfluidic bioreactor with integrated transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurement electrodes for evaluation of renal epithelial cellsBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 4 2010Nicholas Ferrell Abstract We have developed a bilayer microfluidic system with integrated transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurement electrodes to evaluate kidney epithelial cells under physiologically relevant fluid flow conditions. The bioreactor consists of apical and basolateral fluidic chambers connected via a transparent microporous membrane. The top chamber contains microfluidic channels to perfuse the apical surface of the cells. The bottom chamber acts as a reservoir for transport across the cell layer and provides support for the membrane. TEER electrodes were integrated into the device to monitor cell growth and evaluate cell,cell tight junction integrity. Immunofluorescence staining was performed within the microchannels for ZO-1 tight junction protein and acetylated ,-tubulin (primary cilia) using human renal epithelial cells (HREC) and MDCK cells. HREC were stained for cytoskeletal F-actin and exhibited disassembly of cytosolic F-actin stress fibers when exposed to shear stress. TEER was monitored over time under normal culture conditions and after disruption of the tight junctions using low Ca2+ medium. The transport rate of a fluorescently labeled tracer molecule (FITC-inulin) was measured before and after Ca2+ switch and a decrease in TEER corresponded with a large increase in paracellular inulin transport. This bioreactor design provides an instrumented platform with physiologically meaningful flow conditions to study various epithelial cell transport processes. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;107:707,716. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Measurement of key metabolic enzyme activities in mammalian cells using rapid and sensitive microplate-based assaysBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 3 2010R. Janke Abstract Sensitive microplate-based assays to determine low levels of key enzyme activities in mammalian cells are presented. The enzyme platform consists of four cycling assays to measure the activity of 28 enzymes involved in central carbon and glutamine metabolism. The sensitivity limit of all cycling assays was between 0.025 and 0.4,nmol product. For the detection of glutaminase activity, a new glutamate cycle system involving the enzymes glutamate dehydrogenase and aspartate transaminase was established. The relative standard deviation of the method was found to be 1.7% with a limit of detection of 8.2,pmol and a limit of quantitation of 24.8,pmol. Hence, cell extracts could be highly diluted to reduce interferences caused by other components in the extract, which in addition minimized underestimates or overestimates of actual enzyme activities. Since substrate concentrations could be maintained at a nearly constant level throughout the assay product accumulation during the reaction was low, which minimized product inhibition. As an example, the enzyme platform was used to investigate maximum enzyme activities of stationary-phase MDCK cells grown in serum-containing GMEM medium as typically used in influenza vaccine production. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;107: 566,581. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Hypertonic upregulation of betaine transport in renal cells is blocked by a proteasome inhibitorCELL BIOCHEMISTRY AND FUNCTION, Issue 5 2005Philip E. Lammers Abstract The renal betaine transporter (BGT1) protects cells in the hypertonic medulla by mediating uptake and accumulation of the osmolyte betaine. Transcription plays an essential role in upregulating BGT1 transport in MDCK cells subjected to hypertonic stress. During hypertonic stress, the abundance of the transcription factor TonEBP increases and it shifts from the cytoplasm to the nucleus where it activates transcription of the BGT1 gene. Little is known about post-transcriptional regulation of BGT1 protein. In the presence of the proteasome inhibitor MG-132, which blocked nuclear translocation of TonEBP, the hypertonic upregulation of BGT1 protein and transport was prevented and cell viability in hypertonic medium was impaired over 24,h. Urea also prevented the hypertonic upregulation of BGT1 protein and transport, but did not interfere with TonEBP translocation and cell viability. Shorter treatments of hypertonic cells with MG-132 avoided viability problems and produced dose-dependent inhibition of translocation and transport. When stably transfected MDCK cells that over-expressed BGT1 were treated for 6,h with hypertonic medium containing 3,µM MG-132, there was 43% inhibition of nuclear translocation, 83% inhibition of BGT1 transport, and no change in viability. While other proteasome functions may be involved, these data are consistent with a critical role for nuclear translocation of TonEBP in upregulation and membrane insertion of BGT1 protein. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Influence of Serine O -Glycosylation or O -Phoshorylation Close to the vJun Nuclear Localisation Sequence on Nuclear ImportCHEMBIOCHEM, Issue 1 2006Stefanie Schlummer Dr. Abstract Nuclear import triggered by the nuclear-localisation sequence (NLS) of the viral Jun (vJun) protein is mediated by phosphorylation of a serine close to the NLS. Since phosphorylation and glycosylation of serine residues are often in a reciprocal "yin,yang" relationship, we investigated whether glycosylation of this serine with O-linked N -acetylglucosamine (O -GlcNAc) would also regulate nuclear import via the vJun NLS. Peptides containing the vJun NLS with an adjacent O -phosphorylated, O -GlcNAc-functionalised or unmodified serine, and equipped with an N-terminal biotin or a 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazolyl (NBD) fluorescent label, were synthesised on the solid phase by means of an Fmoc/Boc strategy and a Pd0 -sensitive HYCRON linker. Fluorescence-polarisation measurements on the NBD-labelled peptides indicated that modification with phosphate or O -GlcNAc leads to a decrease in affinity to the import-mediating adapter protein, importin,, of about one order of magnitude compared to the unmodified NLS. Microinjection of biotinylated NLS peptide conjugated with fluorescently labelled avidin into NIH/3T3 and MDCK cells, revealed that avidin,unmodified-NLS peptide was rapidly imported into the nucleus. However, either phosphate or O -GlcNAc next to the NLS caused almost complete exclusion of the protein conjugate from nuclear import. These findings indicate that nuclear import by the vJun NLS might not be regulated by a "yin,yang" modification of an adjacent serine with phosphate or O -GlcNAc. Rather, negative regulation of binding between the polybasic NLS and importin by a negatively charged or a bulky, uncharged residue appears likely. [source] | ||||||||||||||||