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Renotropic stimulation in rat kidney cell culture
1Department of Medicine (Nephrology Division), Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007.
Life Sciences
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Researchers identified a circulating renotropic factor in rats that stimulates kidney cell growth after unilateral nephrectomy. This factor, detected in rat sera, promotes DNA synthesis in cultured kidney cells.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- A circulating renotropic factor specific for renal cells has been previously described in rats.
- Kidney slices from unilaterally nephrectomized (uni) rats show increased DNA synthesis compared to sham-operated (sham) rats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To amplify the sensitivity of the assay for the renotropic agent.
- To verify the presence of a circulating renotropin using primary rat kidney cultures.
Main Methods:
- Primary rat kidney cultures were synchronized by protein-free starvation.
- The assay measured 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA in response to sera from uni- and sham-operated rats.
- D-valine medium was used to assess specificity for renal epithelial cells.
Main Results:
- Sera from uni-rats significantly stimulated thymidine incorporation compared to sham-rats at 16, 24, and 48 hours post-operation.
- Maximal stimulation (63.3%) occurred at 24 hours, exceeding previous findings with kidney slices.
- Renotropic activity was detected earlier and for a shorter duration than in rabbits.
Conclusions:
- Growth-synchronized primary rat renal cells in culture confirm the presence of a circulating renotropin.
- This renotropin arises 24 hours post-unilateral nephrectomy.
- The findings suggest a potential mechanism for kidney regeneration.