H-ras-transformed NRK-52E renal epithelial cells have altered growth, morphology, and cytoskeletal structure that correlates with renal cell carcinoma in vivo.

We studied the effect of the ras oncogene on the growth kinetics, morphology, cytoskeletal structure, and tumorigenicity of the widely used NRK-52E rat kidney epithelial cell line and two H-ras oncogene-transformed cell lines, H/1.2-NRK-52E (H/1.2) and H/6.1-NRK-52E (H/6.1). Population doubling times of NRK-52E, H/1.2, and H/6.1 cells were 28, 26, and 24 h, respectively, with the transformed cells reaching higher saturation densities than the parent cells. NRK-52E cells had typical epithelial morphology with growth in colonies. H/1.2 and H/6.1 cell colonies were more closely packed, highly condensed, and had increased plasma membrane ruffling compared to parent cell colonies. NRK-52E cells showed microfilament, microtubule, and intermediate filament networks typical of epithelial cells, while H/1.2 and H/6.1 cells showed altered cytoskeleton architecture, with decreased stress fibers and increased microtubule and intermediate filament staining at the microtubule organizing center. H/1.2 and H/6.1 cells proliferated in an in vitro soft agar transformation assay, indicating anchorage-independence, and rapidly formed tumors in vivo with characteristics of renal cell carcinoma, including mixed populations of sarcomatoid, granular, and clear cells. H/6.1 cells consistently showed more extensive alterations of growth kinetics, morphology, and cytoskeleton than H/1.2 cells, and formed tumors of a more aggressive phenotype. These data suggest that analysis of renal cell characteristics in vitro may have potential in predicting tumor behavior in vivo, and significantly contribute to the utility of these cell lines as in vitro models for examining renal epithelial cell biology and the role of the ras proto-oncogene in signal transduction involving the cytoskeleton.

Transforming growth factor beta modulation of the epidermal growth factor Ca2+ signal and c-Fos oncoprotein levels in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) was examined regarding its regulation of the mitogen EGF. A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells were treated with TGF beta and epidermal growth factor (EGF) (10 ng/ml each) to determine if TGF beta modulates EGF-induced Ca2+ signaling and c-Fos oncoprotein levels. Changes in [Ca2+]i were determined by digital imaging analysis or photon counting. In HBSS + Ca2+ (1.37 mM), EGF treatment resulted in a transient increase in [Ca2+]i from 75 to 150 nM, which lasted approximately 3.5 min and re-equilibrated to 90 nM. In nominally Ca(2+)-free (2-5 muM) HBSS, EGF caused a [Ca2+]i elevation that peaked at 140 nM and returned to baseline. TGF beta in HBSS + Ca2+ did not elicit a [Ca2+]i increase, although affinity labeling revealed types I, II, and III TGF beta receptors. TGF beta added simultaneously with EGF in HBSS + Ca2+ caused a gradual rise in [Ca2+]i from 50 to 100 nM over 16 min. Pretreatment with TGF beta (3 h; 10 ng/ml) abolished the EGF-induced [Ca2+]i elevation. EGF or TGF beta treatments increased c-Fos immunoreactivity by around 1 h. In summary, EGF elevated [Ca2+]i in the presence or absence of [Ca2+]e, resulting in high [Ca2+]n, associated with tyrosine and threonine phosphorylation, and increased c-Fos oncoprotein immunoreactivity. TGF beta did not increase [Ca2+]i but did increase c-Fos; TGF beta + EGF added simultaneously altered the EGF-induced [Ca2+]i elevation, and TGF beta pretreatment eliminated EGF-induced [Ca2+]i elevation. This suggests that TGF beta can regulate EGF in A431 cells and that increased c-Fos may not be mediated by Ca2+.

Cytosolic Ca2+ elevation and calpain inhibitors in HgCl2 injury to rat kidney proximal tubule epithelial cells.

This study assessed HgCl2 injury to proximal tubule epithelial cells as it relates to the concentration of ionized cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) elevation and activation of calpains. Experiments in high and low extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]e) were performed using the calpain inhibitors antipain and leupeptin, and also trypsin inhibitor, methylamine, chloroquine, and ryanodine. Cell killing was time/dose dependent and greater with high [Ca2+]e. After 30 min treatment with 25 microM HgCl2, 19% of cells in low [Ca2+]e were dead while 72% died in high [Ca2+]e. Morphologic changes such as cytoplasmic blebbing were also greater in high [Ca2+]e. Antipain and leupeptin diminished toxicity. Leupeptin did not block Ca2+ entry into cells. Results show that HgCl2 toxicity is correlated with increased [Ca2+]i, and that calpains may mediate the resultant pathological changes.

Primary cultures of normal rat kidney proximal tubule epithelial cells for studies of renal cell injury.

Normal rat kidney proximal tubule epithelial cell cultures were obtained by collagenase digestion of cortex and studied for 10 days. To assess the purity of the seeding suspension, we histochemically demonstrated gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase in greater than 95% of the starting material. To identify cell types in cultures, we investigated several markers. Cells stained positively for lectin Arachis hypogaea (rat proximal tubule) and negatively for Lotus tetragonolobus (rat distal tubule). Intermediate filament expression of cytokeratin confirmed the epithelial differentiation of the cultured cells. Using indirect immunofluorescence, we found that cultures were negative for vimentin and Factor VIII. Cells exhibited activities of two brush border enzymes, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and leucine aminopeptidase, and Na(+)-dependent glucose transport activity. Multicellular domes were evident in the Week 2 of culture. Proliferation was studied by comparing growth factor-supplemented serum-free medium to cells grown in serum; growth enhancers included insulin, hydrocortisone, transferrin, glucose, bovine albumin, and epidermal growth factor. Cells proliferate best in medium with 5 or 10% serum and in serum-free medium supplemented with insulin, hydrocortisone, transferrin, glucose, and bovine albumin. Proliferation was assessed by determining cell number (population doublings). By light microscopy, the cells were squamous with numerous mitochondria, a central nucleus, and a rather well-defined homogeneous ectoplasm. By electron microscopy, the cells were polarized with microvilli and cell junctions at the upper surface and a thin basal lamina toward the culture dish. These data show that the proximal tubule epithelial cells retain a number of functional characteristics and that they represent an excellent model for studies of normal and abnormal biology of the renal proximal tubule epithelium.

HgCl2-induced alteration of actin filaments in cultured primary rat proximal tubule epithelial cells labelled with fluorescein phalloidin.

When proximal tubule epithelial cells are exposed to HgCl2, cytoplasmic blebs are formed. These represent an early, potentially reversible response to injury. These blebs are accompanied by reorganization of cytoskeletal proteins, and presumably by alternations in cytoskeletal-plasma membrane interactions. Ca(2+)-activated proteinases, such as calpain, are known to affect cytoskeletal proteins and to be involved in diverse cellular processes. However, the role of calpains in cytotoxicity due to HgCl2 is unknown. To determine the relationship between F-actin, calpain, and HgCl2 toxicity, cells were stained with fluorescein phalloidin before and after treatment with HgCl2. Cells were grown on coverslips and exposed to HgCl2 (10 or 25 microM) in the presence or absence of the calpain inhibitor, leupeptin. Untreated cells were flat, polygonal, and contained many fluorescent-stained cables of actin filaments. Generally, cells exposed to HgCl2 became pleomorphic and contracted as the blebs formed. These cells showed fewer actin cables and fluorescence was seen mostly as either compact areas of dense stain or as peripheral rings. In many cells, actin cables and filaments were completely absent. Disappearance of F-actin was initially seen by 2 min after exposure to HgCl2. Thus, disruption of the actin cytoskeleton and blebbing were found to be early events in HgCl2 toxicity. When leupeptin was used with HgCl2 treatment, the actin staining appeared similar to that of untreated cells.

Relation between toxicity and carcinogenesis in the kidney: an heuristic hypothesis.

Cellular toxicity and cellular carcinogenesis are closely linked. In the kidney, this relationship has been emphasized by the recent discovery of a number of putatively non-mutagenic chemicals that result in acute and chronic toxicity and ultimately in carcinogenesis, especially in the male rat. Many, but not all such compounds, result in renal PTE phagolysosomal overload. At the same time, known metabolites of other carcinogens, e.g., HCBD and FBPA, result in acute renal injury and/or necrosis, followed by chronic tubular disease, interstitial nephritis, and ultimately carcinogenesis. A series of cell mechanisms have been suggested that lead from acute cell injury to altered control of cell division. These mechanisms appear to involve ion deregulation, (especially [Ca2+]i) resulting from a variety of continued injuries, (e.g., oxidative stress from inflammatory cells) and ultimately leading to altered gene expression.

Long-term culture of human esophageal explants and cells.

Human esophageal epithelium obtained from intermediate autopsies (less than 12 h) was maintained as cell and explant cultures. In order to develop a serum-free, defined media culture model, several medias and additives were evaluated. The viability and differentiation of the epithelial cells cultured with serum-free, Keratinocyte Growth Media (KGM, Clonetics Co., San Diego, CA) was improved over that of esophageal cells and explants cultured in either serum-supplemented CMRL 1066 (OCM), serum-free additive-supplemented CMRL 1066, or cimetidine-supplemented CMRL 1066. The KGM component EGF was determined to be trophic for esophagus cells on the basis of findings of increased 3H-TdR labelling in KGM cultures when compared to control cells grown in KGM without EGF (KBM). The morphologic pattern of the cytoskeletal proteins actin, keratin, and vimentin were characterized in isolated cell populations. The intermediate filaments, keratin, and vimentin were co-expressed in these epithelial cells. Esophageal explant viability, differentiation, and outgrowth from 15 cases were also evaluated in dishes coated with basement membrane associated proteins. Explants cultured in these dishes were equally well-preserved and differentiated. There were no significant differences in the explant histology when there was protein coating of the culture dishes, although one case showed improved outgrowth with laminin coating. A main advantage for using this culture system is that the same medium (KGM) can be used for both the culture of explants and isolated epithelial cells. Future applications of this model include determining: (1) the effect different concentrations of EGF and calcium in the media will have on esophageal proliferation and differentiation, and (2) the role of different basement membrane associated proteins on the plating efficiency of either isolated or outgrowth epithelial esophageal cells.

Nephrotoxicity in vitro: Role of ion deregulation in signal transduction following injury-Studies utilizing digital imaging fluorescence microscopy.

Over the years, many approaches have been utilized for studying in vitro toxicity in the kidney. These have included the use of isolated perfused kidneys, renal slices, isolated nephron explants and cultured tubular epithelium. Currently, in vitro systems of either primary cultures or cell lines make it possible to use newly developed fluorescent probes and digital imaging fluorescence microscopy coupled with image analysis to quantify various ions (e.g. [Ca(2+)](i), [Mg(2+)](i), [Na(+)](i) and [H(+)](i)) in individual live cells. Methods have been developed for the primary culture of rat, rabbit and human proximal tubular epithelium and these cultures are being utilized for the study of acute cell injury and for the comparison of animal cell data with that of human cells. In the current studies, the fluorescent probe, Fura 2, was used to observe changes in [Ca(2+)](i) as they relate to cell injury. The results show that changes in [Ca(2+)](i) begin very early after treatments with a variety of agents that produce lethal and sublethal toxic injuries. These injuries can increase [Ca(2+)](i) from its normal 100 nm level to a 2 mum level. The rise in [Ca(2+)](i) precedes early bleb formation and cell death. Elevated [Ca(2+)](i) may also activate enzymes such as lipases and proteases that lead to cell death.

The relationship between cellular ion deregulation and acute and chronic toxicity.

Cell injury proceeds through a predictable series of stages as it progresses from reversible to irreversible injury (or "point of no return") and ends eventually in cell death. Ion deregulation is strongly implicated in this process and, in particular, the deregulation of cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) which is thought by most to be a critical step in the transition from reversible to irreversible injury. [Ca2+]i is normally maintained at approximately 100 microM, a level 10,000 times lower than for extracellular Ca2+ [( Ca2+]e). Deregulation may affect any of three Ca2+ buffering systems: the plasma membrane, the mitochondria, and the endoplasmic reticulum. Perturbation of [Ca2+]i is intimately related to perturbation of other ions, including, H+, Na+, and K+. In normal cells, [Ca2+]i elevation is also linked to activation of oncogenes as well as cell division, initiation, wound repair, differentiation, and possibly tumor promotion. In all models of acute injury for which we have measured [Ca2+]i, including ischemia, HgCl2 and calcium inophores, [Ca2+]i always became elevated. This elevation results from influx of [Ca2+]e (ionomycin), redistribution from intracellular stores (NEM, KCN), or from both sources (HgCl2). The degree of [Ca2+]i elevation is correlated with the degree of injury (as determined by blebbing and morphological changes) and cell killing. More recently, much work has been focused on the role of [Ca2+]i in neoplasia. Many stimuli, including the promoter TPA and transforming growth factor beta have been shown to affect normal and transformed cells differently. Both cause differentiation in normal human bronchial epithelial cells but stimulate growth in transformed cells. We propose that deregulation of ions, especially [Ca2+]i, plays an important role, if not a key role, in the initiation of acute and chronic cell injury, including neoplasia. Increases in [Ca2+]i appear to accelerate degradative processes and, unless regulated, lead to cell death.