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Immunoglobulin light chain alters mesangial cell calcium homeostasis

L Zhu1, G A Herrera, C R White

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294-0007, USA.

The American Journal of Physiology
|March 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Certain immunoglobulin light chains disrupt mesangial cell calcium signaling, potentially causing glomerulosclerosis. Myo-inositol supplementation partially reversed these effects, suggesting a therapeutic target for kidney disease.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Immunoglobulin light chains are implicated in kidney disease pathogenesis.
  • Mesangial cell calcium homeostasis is crucial for kidney function.
  • Dysregulation of intracellular calcium can lead to cellular dysfunction and disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if specific immunoglobulin light chains directly alter mesangial cell calcium homeostasis.
  • To elucidate the role of kappa-light chains in regulating intracellular calcium signaling in rat mesangial cells.
  • To explore the potential therapeutic effect of myo-inositol on light chain-induced calcium dysregulation.

Main Methods:

  • Measurement of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]) in rat mesangial cells using fura 2.
  • Assessment of ATP-, thrombin-, and thapsigargin-evoked calcium transients and influx.
  • Treatment of mesangial cells with a glomerulopathic kappa-light chain (gle) and myo-inositol.

Main Results:

  • Glomerulopathic kappa-light chain (gle) significantly attenuated ATP- and thrombin-evoked calcium transients and influx.
  • Myo-inositol supplementation partially reversed the gle-induced attenuation of ATP-evoked calcium signaling.
  • Gle also decreased thapsigargin-induced calcium transients and influx, an effect not reversed by myo-inositol.
  • A different kappa-light chain did not impact mesangial cell calcium signaling.

Conclusions:

  • Specific immunoglobulin light chains, like gle, can derange mesangial cell calcium homeostasis.
  • This disruption of calcium signaling may contribute to the pathogenesis of glomerulosclerosis.
  • Myo-inositol shows potential in mitigating some light chain-induced calcium dysregulation, warranting further investigation.

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