A mouse model of pseudohypoaldosteronism type II reveals a novel mechanism of renal tubular acidosis.

Pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (PHAII) is a genetic disease characterized by association of hyperkalemia, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, hypertension, low renin, and high sensitivity to thiazide diuretics. It is caused by mutations in the WNK1, WNK4, KLHL3 or CUL3 gene. There is strong evidence that excessive sodium chloride reabsorption by the sodium chloride cotransporter NCC in the distal convoluted tubule is involved. WNK4 is expressed not only in distal convoluted tubule cells but also in ß-intercalated cells of the cortical collecting duct. These latter cells exchange intracellular bicarbonate for external chloride through pendrin, and therefore, account for renal base excretion. However, these cells can also mediate thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride absorption when the pendrin-dependent apical chloride influx is coupled to apical sodium influx by the sodium-driven chloride/bicarbonate exchanger. Here we determine whether this system is involved in the pathogenesis of PHAII. Renal pendrin activity was markedly increased in a mouse model carrying a WNK4 missense mutation (Q562E) previously identified in patients with PHAII. The upregulation of pendrin led to an increase in thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride absorption by the cortical collecting duct, and it caused metabolic acidosis. The function of apical potassium channels was altered in this model, and hyperkalemia was fully corrected by pendrin genetic ablation. Thus, we demonstrate an important contribution of pendrin in renal regulation of sodium chloride, potassium and acid-base homeostasis and in the pathophysiology of PHAII. Furthermore, we identify renal distal bicarbonate secretion as a novel mechanism of renal tubular acidosis.

Role of Collecting Duct Renin in the Pathogenesis of Hypertension.

The presence of renin production by the principal cells of the collecting duct has opened new perspectives for the regulation of intrarenal angiotensin II (Ang II). Angiotensinogen (AGT) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) are present in the tubular fluid coming from the proximal tubule and collecting duct. All the components needed for Ang II formation are present along the nephron, and much is known about the mechanisms regulating renin in juxtaglomerular cells (JG); however, those in the collecting duct remain unclear. Ang II suppresses renin via protein kinase C (PKC) and calcium (Ca2+) in JG cells, but in the principal cells, Ang II increases renin synthesis and release through a pathophysiological mechanism that increases further intratubular Ang II de novo formation to enhance distal Na + reabsorption. Transgenic mice overexpressing renin in the collecting duct demonstrate the role of collecting duct renin in the development of hypertension. The story became even more interesting after the discovery of a specific receptor for renin and prorenin: the prorenin receptor ((P)RR), which enhances renin activity and fully activates prorenin. The interactions between (P)RR and prorenin/renin may further increase intratubular Ang II levels. In addition to Ang II, other mechanisms have been described in the regulation of renin in the collecting duct, including vasopressin (AVP), bradykinin (BK), and prostaglandins. Current active investigations are aimed at elucidating the mechanisms regulating renin in the distal nephron segments and understand its role in the pathogenesis of hypertension.

Renin and the (pro)renin receptor in the renal collecting duct: Role in the pathogenesis of hypertension.

The intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of hypertension and kidney disease. In angiotensin (Ang) II-dependent hypertension, collecting duct renin synthesis and secretion are stimulated despite suppression of juxtaglomerular (JG) renin. This effect is mediated by the AngII type I receptor (AT1 R), independent of blood pressure. Although the regulation of JG renin has been extensively studied, the mechanisms by which renin is regulated in the collecting duct remain unclear. The augmentation of renin synthesis and activity in the collecting duct may provide a pathway for additional generation of intrarenal and intratubular AngII formation due to the presence of angiotensinogen substrate and angiotensin-converting enzyme in the nephron. The recently described (pro)renin receptor ((P)RR) binds renin or prorenin, enhancing renin activity and fully activating the biologically inactive prorenin peptide. Stimulation of (P)RR also activates intracellular pathways related to fibrosis. Renin and the (P)RR are augmented in renal tissues of AngII-dependent hypertensive rats. However, the functional contribution of the (P)RR to enhanced renin activity in the collecting duct and its contribution to the development of hypertension and kidney disease have not been well elucidated. This review focuses on recent evidence demonstrating the mechanism of renin regulation in the collecting ducts and its interaction with the (P)RR. The data suggest that renin-(P)RR interactions may induce stimulation of intracellular pathways associated with the development of hypertension and kidney disease.

Análise do padrão de expressão do produto de PKHD1, o gene mutado na doença renal policística autossômica recessiva / Analysis of the expression pattern of the PKHD1 gene product, mutated in autosomal recessive polycistic kidney disease

O gene PKHD1, mutado na doença renal policística autossômica recessiva, apresenta um padrão de splicing complexo associado a múltiplos transcritos alternativos. Neste trabalho estudamos o perfil de expressão de seu produto, poliductina. Análises por western blot revelaram produtos putativos de membrana de >440 kDa e aproximadamente 230 kDa, e de aproximadamente 140 kDa em frações solúveis de rim, fígado e pâncreas. Estudos imunoistoquímicos mostraram marcação em ductos coletores renais e porção ascendente espessa da alça de Henle, em epitélios ductais biliar e pancreático e, no período embrionário, em broto ureteral, ductos biliar e pancreático e glândula salivar. /PKHD1, the gene mutated in autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease, presents a complex splicing pattern, associated with multiple alternative transcripts. In this work we have studied the expression profile of its product, polyductin. Western blot analysis revealed putative membrane products of >440 kDa and 230 kDa, and of about 140 kDa in soluble fractions in kidney, liver and pancreas. Immunohistochemistry studies showed staining in renal collecting duct and thick ascending limb of Henle, in biliary and pancreatic ductal epithelia and, in the embryonic period, in ureteric bud, biliary and pancreatic ducts and salivary gland...

Renografía radioisotópica con diurético en la evaluación de los procesos obstructivos del tracto urinario superior en pacientes pediátricos / Diuresis renography in the evaluation of pediatric patients with dilated upper urinary tract

La renografía con diurético es una evaluación no invasiva aceptada para distinguir entre procesos obstructivos y procesos no obstructivos causantes de la dilatación del tracto urinario superior en pacientes pediátricos. La detección de las alteraciones obstructivas como resposables de la dilatación de los sistemas colectores renales es muy importante ya que éstas son causas previsibles de la insuficiencia renal. La utilización conjunta de estudios morfológicos como el ultrasonido, y de evaluaciones funcionales como la gammagrafía, proporcionan información anatomofuncional que nos permite conocer el verdadero estado morfológico y funcional de los riñones de forma objetiva. El 99mTc-MAG 3 es actualmente el radionúclido preferido para la renografía con diurético. En infantes como obstrucción de la unión pieloureteral, el renograma con diurético se manifiesta de formas distintas. Desde el punto de vista clínico, los casos se clasifican en aquellos con evidencia precisa de obstrucción grave y no hay daño renal. Las intervenciones quirúrgicas quedan indicadas en pacientes con obstrucción completa. La gran mayoría de los renogramas con diurético pueden ser correctamente interpretados con el simple análisis visual de las curvas de tiempo/actividad generadas por computadora, sin la ayuda de otros cálculos más complejos

Renal concentrating defect in protein malnutrition: the role of the thick ascending limb of Henle and inner medullary collecting duct.

The present study was carried out to examine the effect of chronic dietary protein restriction on renal water handling in the rat. During hypotonic saline infusion, the malnourished rats showed a lower free-water clearance, corrected by inulin clearance (7.2 +/- 0.4%), than normal rats (13.6 +/- 2.5%, p less than 0.051), although the fractional distal delivery of sodium did not differ from normal. Throughout hypertonic saline diuresis the free-water reabsorption (TcCH20) corrected by inulin clearance was lower in malnourished rats (6.62 +/- 0.64%) than in control animals (9.25 +/- 0.62, p less than 0.05). Moreover, when TcH20 was referred to the osmolar clearance, malnourished animals showed lower values than normal. These results suggest a defect in NaCl transport in the thick ascending limb of Henle. In vitro measurements of diffusional water permeability (PDW) in the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) obtained from malnourished rats showed an increase from 40.0 +/- 5.4 x 10(5) cm/s to 71.3 +/- 5.4 x 10(5) cm/s by adding maximum effective concentration (50 microU/ml) of arginine vasopressin (VP) to the bath. These values were not different from the PDW observed in the IMCD of normal rats. In another series of microperfusion experiments, the hydraulic conductivity in IMCD of malnourished rats measured also in the presence of maximum effective concentration of VP was 29.7 +/- 3.4 x 10(-6) cm/atm/s, a mean value not significantly different from that observed in the IMCD of normal rats (35.2 +/- 4.3 x 10(-6) cm/atm/s).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)