Oxalate transport in cultured porcine renal epithelial cells

Oxalate-containing kidney stones are the most common type (75%) of renal stones. In order to control oxalate excretion in the urine, a basic understanding of the cellular transport of oxalate is imperative. We have utilized the technique of continuous cell culture to establish and characterize a model system to study renal epithelial cell (LLCPK1) oxalate transport. Our data demonstrate that oxalate uptake in these cells is dependent on time, concentration and energy. The Km for oxalate uptake was 200 microM. Oxalate uptake was decreased at lower temperatures and elevated in an acidic extracellular environment. Both anion exchange inhibitors DIDS and SITS inhibited oxalate uptake. Sulfate, chloride, and bicarbonate decreased oxalate uptake, as did the diuretics bumetanide and furosemide. There was no evidence for the co-transport of oxalate with sodium. Our data show that monolayers of cultured kidney epithelial cells are a valuable model system for study of the basic cellular mechanisms of oxalate transport.