Isolation and characterization of chicken mesangial cells
M J Sadovnic1, J Brand-Elnaggar, W K Bolton
1Division of Nephrology, Alleghany General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Insights
Researchers cultured chicken mesangial cells, identifying key characteristics and phagocytic activity. This breakthrough enables in vitro studies of experimental autoimmune glomerulonephritis (EAG) and its relevance to human kidney disease.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Experimental autoimmune glomerulonephritis (EAG) in chickens involves cellular immunity and mesangial proliferation.
- Understanding the mechanisms of mesangial cell proliferation is crucial for studying kidney disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize in vitro culture techniques for chicken mesangial cells.
- To investigate factors contributing to mesangial cell proliferation in EAG.
Main Methods:
- Chicken glomeruli were isolated and cultured using specific media and supplements.
- Cellular characteristics were assessed using light and electron microscopy, fluorescence staining, and functional assays.
- Comparison with mammalian mesangial cells and fibroblasts was performed.
Main Results:
- Successfully cultured chicken mesangial cells exhibiting mammalian-like morphology and biochemical markers.
- Demonstrated unique phagocytic activity in chicken mesangial cells, unlike mammalian counterparts.
- Established distinct differences between cultured chicken mesangial cells and fibroblasts.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first successful culture of chicken mesangial cells.
- The established in vitro system provides a valuable tool for studying EAG pathogenesis.
- Findings offer insights into mechanisms potentially relevant to human kidney diseases.
Abstract:
Experimental autoimmune glomerulonephritis (EAG) in chickens appears to be mediated by cellular immunity and is associated with mesangial proliferation. We have developed techniques for the culture of chicken mesangial cells to study factors in vitro which lead to this proliferation. Chicken glomeruli isolated by sieving collagenase-treated whole kidney homogenates were cultured in Waymouth's medium MB 752/1 supplemented with 20% decomplemented fetal calf serum and 1 unit/ml insulin. Propagated cells share the following characteristics with mammalian mesangial cells: stellate and spindle-shaped morphology with an extensive microfilamentous system by light and electron microscopy; resistance to aminonucleoside of puromycin; susceptibility to mitomycin C; growth in L-valine-free medium; absent staining for factor VIII-related antigen, chicken T cell and Ia antigen; positive staining for fibronectin, myosin, alpha-actinin and desmin, and angiotensin II binding and induction of contraction. Unlike cultured mammalian mesangial cells, chicken mesangial cells avidly phagocytize latex beads and display multilamellar residual bodies on electron microscopy indicative of phagocytic activity. They differed from fibroblasts which were non-phagocytic, had different growth patterns, fluorescence staining and ultrastructural morphology. To our knowledge, this is the first description of the culture of chicken mesangial cells. This in vitro system should allow further studies of pathogenetic processes involved in the production of EAG with elucidation of mechanisms relevant to human disease.
