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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
A Modified Two Kidney One Clip Mouse Model of Renin Regulation in Renal Artery Stenosis
Published on: October 26, 2020
Characterization of renin mRNA expression and enzyme activity in rat and mouse mesangial cells
A Q Andrade1, D E Casarini, N Schor
1Disciplina de Nefrologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Abstract:
Renin is an enzyme involved in the stepwise generation of angiotensin II. Juxtaglomerular cells are the main source of plasma renin, but renin activity has been detected in other cell types. In the present study we evaluated the presence of renin mRNA in adult male Wistar rat and mouse (C-57 Black/6) mesangial cells (MC) and their ability to process, store and release both the active and inactive forms of the enzyme. Active renin and total renin content obtained after trypsin treatment were estimated by angiotensinogen consumption analyzed by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and quantified by angiotensin I generation by HPLC. Renin mRNA, detected by RT-PCR, was present in both rat and mouse MC under basal conditions. Active renin was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the cell lysate (43.5 +/- 5.7 ng h-1 10(6) cells) than in the culture medium (12.5 +/- 2.5 ng h-1 10(6) cells). Inactive prorenin content was similar for the intra- and extracellular compartments (9.7 +/- 3.1 and 3.9 +/- 0.9 ng h-1 10(6) cells). Free active renin was the predominant form found in both cell compartments. These results indicate that MC in culture are able to synthesize and translate renin mRNA probably as inactive prorenin which is mostly processed to active renin inside the cell. MC secrete both forms of the enzyme but at a lower level compared with intracellular content, suggesting that the main role of renin synthesized by MC may be the intracellular generation of angiotensin II.
Insights
Mesangial cells (MC) synthesize renin mRNA and produce active and inactive renin. These cells primarily process renin intracellularly, suggesting a key role in local angiotensin II generation within the cell.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Renin is crucial for angiotensin II production, primarily from juxtaglomerular cells.
- Renin activity is also found in non-juxtaglomerular cell types.
- The role of mesangial cells in renin production is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate renin mRNA presence in rat and mouse mesangial cells (MC).
- To evaluate MC's capacity for processing, storing, and releasing active and inactive renin.
- To determine the predominant form and location of renin within MC.
Main Methods:
- Detection of renin mRNA using RT-PCR in rat and mouse MC.
- Quantification of active and total renin by angiotensinogen consumption and angiotensin I generation via HPLC.
- Measurement of renin content in cell lysate and culture medium.
Main Results:
- Renin mRNA was detected in both rat and mouse MC under basal conditions.
- Active renin was significantly higher intracellularly than extracellularly.
- Inactive prorenin levels were similar in both compartments, with active renin being predominant.
Conclusions:
- MC synthesize and translate renin mRNA, likely as inactive prorenin.
- Intracellular processing predominantly converts prorenin to active renin within MC.
- MC secrete both renin forms at lower levels, suggesting intracellular angiotensin II generation is their primary function.
