[Isolation and characterization of cells from primary culture of rat kidney glomeruli]

The optimal method to obtain primary rat glomerular cell culture was developed. The method includes isolation of rat glomeruli by pressing slices of renal cortex through sieves, treatment of glomeruli with collagenase and cultivation on gelatin-coated plastic wells. Using electron microscopy and immunofluorescent staining with antibodies to intermediate filaments, factor VIII, myosin, common leucocyte antigen two cell types were identified; epithelial cells and contractile mesangial cells. Further subcultivation allowed to obtain a pure mesangial cell culture.