Regulation of cyclooxygenase isoforms in the renal thick ascending limb: effects of extracellular calcium

We previously showed that primary cultures of mTAL cells express cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) when challenged with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Moreover, expression of COX-2 was linked to decreases in TNFalpha-mediated 86Rb uptake, an in vitro correlate of natriuresis. mTAL cells in primary culture express calcium sensing receptor (CaR), a G-protein coupled receptor that senses changes in extracellular calcium concentration and ultimately increases intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and protein kinase C (PKC) activity. PGE2 synthesis by mTAL cells increases in a dose- and time-dependent manner after exposure of these cells to extracellular Ca2+. Similar effects were observed when cells were challenged with the CaR-selective agonist, poly-L-arginine. These data suggest that intracellular signaling mechanisms initiated via activation of CaR contribute to mTAL PGE2 synthesis. As TNF production is calcium-sensitive in some cells types, we postulate that these effects involve the regulation of COX-2 expression via a TNF-dependent mechanism. The functional implications of these studies relate to a cytokine-mediated mechanism that contributes to salt and water balance, and suggests that small changes in Ca(2+)o may contribute to the regulation of these events. The possibility that the effects of Ca(2+)o involve activation of CaR suggests that novel calcimimetic molecules might be useful in conditions, such as hypertension or other conditions, in which manipulation of extracellular fluid volume provides beneficial effects.