Calcium signalling during RVD of kidney cells

The balance of a high extracellular osmolarity in the kidney medulla is mainly based on an accumulation of organic osmolytes in the cells. The regulation of cell volume during hypotonic conditions results in a release of organic osmolytes - a process that is partly calcium-dependent. Using calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye and confocal laser scanning microscopy, we have investigated calcium signalling during regulatory volume decrease (RVD) in kidney cells. In rat inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells in primary culture, hypotonic stress induced a calcium release from intracellular stores that preceded calcium entry from the extracellular milieu. Hyposmotic stress had no effect on the cellular IP(3) content. Preincubation with 100 micromol/l ETYA (a non-metabolizible derivative of arachidonic acid), however, reduced the calcium response to hypotonic stress as well as the RVD. Blocker of voltage-dependent calcium channels (verapamil, diltiazem, and nifedipine) in the concentration of 40 micromol/l reduced partly the calcium response. SKF-96365, an inhibitor of receptor-mediatedcalcium channels, also attenuated the calcium influx. In conclusion, swelling of IMCD cells increases intracellular calcium by release from intracellular stores and entry across the cell membranes. The signalling involves arachidonic acid metabolism.