Immunodissection of mitochondria-rich cells from rabbit outer medullary collecting tubule

Two types of mitochondria-rich (MR) cells have been identified in the rabbit collecting tubule based on differences in immuno- and lectin cytochemistry. We have produced a monoclonal antibody, immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 (mr-mct), that reacts specifically with the MR cells (identified by positive histochemical staining for succinate dehydrogenase) found predominantly in the outer medulla (OM) and cells of the proximal tubule. IgG1 (mr-mct) reacted with 18 +/- 2% of the cells of the outer medullary collecting tubule (OMCT) and did not colocalize with peanut lectin-binding MR cells in the cortex. To isolate MR-OMCT cells, collecting tubule cells from collagenase dispersions of the OM were first adsorbed onto plates treated with a monoclonal antibody reactive against all of the OMCT cells. Of the isolated OMCT cells, 17% reacted with IgG1 (mr-mct). Cells were then detached from the plate and transferred to plates coated with IgG1. Greater than 70% of the adsorbed cells were MR as determined by positive staining with IgG1 (mr-mct). This enrichment of MR-OMCT cells was associated with a severalfold increase in adenosine 3',5' cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) production in response to isoproterenol and an attenuated increase in cAMP production to vasopressin. In summary, we report the isolation of highly enriched populations of MR cells from the OM using two-stage solid-phase immunoadsorption. This approach should provide a useful and convenient method for further investigations of the physiological role of these poorly understood tubular cells.