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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Fabricating a Kidney Cortex Extracellular Matrix-Derived Hydrogel
Published on: October 13, 2018
Cell adhesion molecule expression within human glomerular and kidney organ culture
C O Savage1, C J Brooks, D Adu
1Department of Medicine (CCRIS), Medical School, University of Birmingham, U.K.
Insights
Kidney cells show specific adhesion molecule and MHC antigen responses to cytokines, with some unique regulatory pathways. These findings offer insights into leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions within the kidney.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions are crucial in kidney inflammation.
- Cytokine regulation of adhesion molecules and MHC antigens in kidney cells requires detailed study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a glomerular and kidney organ culture method for investigating cytokine effects.
- To analyze the inducibility of adhesion molecules and MHC antigens in kidney cells by various cytokines.
Main Methods:
- Development of a glomerular and kidney organ culture system.
- Assessment of constitutive and cytokine-induced expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, P-selectin, and MHC antigens on kidney cells.
- Utilized cytokines including IL-1, TNF, IFN-gamma, GM-CSF, IL-4, and TGF-beta.
Main Results:
- Glomerular cells constitutively express ICAM-1 and MHC antigens.
- E-selectin expression on glomerular endothelial cells is induced by IL-1, TNF, IFN-gamma, and GM-CSF, and inhibited by TGF-beta and IL-4.
- VCAM-1 is constitutively expressed in Bowman's capsule and proximal tubules, with weak induction on glomerular ECs.
- ICAM-1 expression is upregulated by several cytokines, with TGF-beta acting as an inhibitor.
- MHC class II expression on glomerular ECs is upregulated by IFN-gamma.
Conclusions:
- Kidney leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions share common principles with other tissues but exhibit unique local regulatory differences.
- Cytokine-mediated modulation of adhesion molecules and MHC antigens plays a significant role in kidney physiology and pathology.
- The developed organ culture method provides a valuable tool for studying kidney immune responses.
Abstract:
A glomerular and kidney organ culture method was developed to study cytokine inducibility of adhesion molecules and MHC antigen expression. Glomerular cells showed constitutive expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and MHC class I and II antigens, but not vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, or P-selectin. Expression of E-selectin on glomerular endothelial cells (ECs) was induced by interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and granulocyte/ macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF); this induction was inhibited by transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) and by IL-4. P-selectin expression was never seen within glomeruli. VCAM-1 was constitutively expressed by Bowman's capsule and proximal tubules and was weakly induced on glomerular ECs by TNF and IL-4 in combination. Glomerular endothelial ICAM-1 expression was increased by IL-1, TNF, IFN-gamma, and GM-CSF, while TGF beta inhibited induction by TNF and IL-1. Expression of MHC class I and II antigens by glomerular ECs was constitutive; further upregulation of MHC class II by IFN-gamma was observed. These studies suggest that leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions that occur within the kidney follow broadly similar principles as are proposed to occur elsewhere in the body but, in addition, there are subtle differences that reflect local conditions.
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