A serum-free in vitro model of renal microvessel development.

The differentiation and organization of the embryonic renal vasculature is a crucial event in renal development. To study this process, we developed a serum-free in vitro model of renal microvessel development. Mouse embryonic kidney explants, when embedded specifically in type I collagen, demonstrate outgrowth of microvascular structures when stimulated by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA, 10-50 ng/ml). Other polypeptide growth factors stimulated little, if any, microvessel outgrowth from the explants. Similar outgrowths were not observed when other embryonic tissue explants were used. The number of microvessels observed depended on the gestational age of the explants. We hypothesize that TPA induces the in situ differentiation of metanephric mesenchymal cells into endothelial cell precursors and that specific matrix proteins and cell-matrix interactions are necessary for the organization of these precursors into microvessels. Our model will allow us to examine in detail the responsiveness of metanephric kidney cells to both growth factors and extracellular matrix molecules and to understand how they influence renal endothelial cell differentiation.

Principles of diuretic therapy.

This section discusses the reasons different diuretic agents inhibit salt reabsorption at specific sites within the renal tubule. It also includes a brief review of how diuretics reach their target site of action along the nephron, together with a discussion of how disease states may affect the delivery of diuretics to those sites. When diuretics are administered to edematous patients, the natriuretic response is often blunted. In addition, increased renal tubular salt avidity is observed after administration of loop diuretics. The elements required to successfully achieve adequate natriuresis under such conditions are analyzed. Because achieving diuresis may result in significant hypokalemia, hyponatremia, metabolic alkalosis, and worsening prerenal azotemia, the prevention and management of these complications of diuretic therapy are also reviewed. A description of successful use of diuretics in specific edematous states, such as congestive heart failure, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, and liver disease, is followed by a brief discussion of the management of resistant edema and the use of diuretics in nonedematous states, including essential hypertension and other conditions.

Hypokalemia and the pathology of ion transport molecules.

Serum potassium is normally maintained within a narrow range through an exquisite balance between cellular K+ efflux and influx, and between the intake and output of potassium from the body. Ultimately such balances are determined by cell membrane molecules which effect K+ transfer from one milieu to another. Over the last decade, electrophysiological and molecular techniques of study, briefly reviewed in this article, have helped to define the biochemical and functional characteristics of many of the molecules responsible for potassium homeostasis. When combined with molecular genetics, the same technology allows for the ultimate definition of hereditary or familial disease states characterized by hypokalemia. Familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis is associated with mutations of the dihydropyridine receptor gene encoding the L-type Ca+2 channel, but how such mutations result in episodic hypokalemia and paralysis remains a mystery. Mutations in several genes involved in renal ion transport also result in hypokalemia. Among them, Liddle's syndrome, or pseudohyperaldosteronism, has been linked to increased surface expression of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) responsible for Na+ transport in the cortical collecting duct. On the other hand, Bartter's syndrome, characterized by defective salt reabsorption by the ascending limb of Henle's loop, is associated with mutations in either the NKCC2 gene encoding the loop's 1Na+-1K+-2Cl- cotransporter, or in the ROMK gene, which allows K+ recycling in the loop to occur from cell to lumen, making Na+ reabsorption via the cotransporter possible. In Gitelman's syndrome, which clinically appears as a milder form of Bartter's, the abnormal gene encodes the thiazide sensitive Na+-Cl- cotransporter operating in the distal convoluted tubule.

Myosin light-chain phosphorylation and vascular resistance in canine anterior tibial arteries in situ.

Two regulatory systems are believed to control the contractile state of vascular smooth muscle in vitro. In one, crossbridges are phosphorylated by myosin light-chain (MLC) kinase; these phosphorylated crossbridges are believed to predominate during force development. In the other system, the crossbridges are unphosphorylated (latchbridges); the latchbridges are thought to prevail during force maintenance. The role of these systems in the control of vascular resistance in vivo is unknown. This study compared MLC phosphorylation with vascular tone in canine anterior tibial arteries in vitro and in situ. The arteries were frozen at various times before and during stimulation with norepinephrine. Under both conditions, the levels of MLC phosphorylation were low at rest and increased transiently during norepinephrine stimulation. This increase was associated with stress development in vitro and with an increase in vascular resistance in situ. Thus, the biochemical changes measured in arteries in situ parallel those measured in vitro suggesting that the in vitro models are appropriate and useful for studying the physiological function of blood vessels. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of changing levels of MLC phosphorylation in an artery in situ.

Characterization of site-directed mutants in the lac permease of Escherichia coli. 2. Glutamate-325 replacements.

lac permease with Ala in place of Glu325 was solubilized from the membrane, purified, and reconstituted into proteoliposomes. The reconstituted molecule is completely unable to catalyze lactose/H+ symport but catalyzes exchange and counterflow at least as well as wild-type permease. In addition, Ala325 permease catalyzes downhill lactose influx without concomitant H+ translocation and binds p-nitrophenyl alpha-D-galactopyranoside with a KD only slightly higher than that of wild-type permease. Studies with right-side-out membrane vesicles demonstrate that replacement of Glu325 with Gln, His, Val, Cys, or Trp results in behavior similar to that observed with Ala in place of Glu325. On the other hand, permease with Asp in place of Glu325 catalyzes lactose/H+ symport about 20% as well as wild-type permease. The results indicate that an acidic residue at position 325 is essential for lactose/H+ symport and that hydrogen bonding at this position is insufficient. Taken together with previous results and those presented in the following paper [Lee, J. A., Püttner, I. B., & Kaback, H. R. (1989) Biochemistry (third paper of three in this issue)], the findings are consistent with the idea that Arg302, His322, and Glu325 may be components of a H+ relay system that plays an important role in the coupled translocation of lactose and H+.

lac permease of Escherichia coli: histidine-322 and glutamic acid-325 may be components of a charge-relay system.

When Glu-325 in the lac permease of Escherichia coli is replaced with Ala, lactose/H+ symport is abolished. Thus, the altered permease catalyzes neither uphill lactose accumulation nor efflux. Remarkably, however, permease with Ala-325 catalyzes exchange and counterflow at completely normal rates. Taken together with the results presented in the accompanying paper [Püttner, I. B., Sarkar, H. K., Poonian, M. S., & Kaback, H. R. (1986) Biochemistry (preceding paper in this issue)], the findings suggest that the His-322 and Glu-325 may be components of a charge-relay system that plays an important role in the coupled translocation of lactose and H+.