Effects of leukotrienes on isolated rat glomeruli and cultured mesangial cells

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Abstract
Several vasoactive substances influence glomerular function in vivo and alter glomerular surface area and prostaglandin (PG) synthesis in vitro. Leukotrienes (LT) LTC4 and LTD4 may also influence glomerular function in vivo and in the isolated perfused kidney. We therefore compared the effects of LT with those of angiotensin II (ANG II), arginine vasopressin (AVP), and platelet activating factor (PAF) on planar surface area of isolated rat glomeruli and the shape change of cultured mesangial cells and their PG synthesis. ANG II, AVP, and PAF decreased the surface area of isolated rat glomeruli by 10-14% with comparable changes induced by LTC4 and LTD4. Half-maximal effects of LTs were observed at .apprx. 10-7 M. Incubation of cultured rat mesangial cells with LTC4 or LTD4 at 10-7 and 10-8 M was also associated with shape changes of the cells resulting in significant reductions in planar surface area in a dose- and time-dependent fashion similar to that noted previously with other vasoactive agents. In cells grown on a flexible silicone rubber support, LTD4 resulted in rapid increases in wrinkling of the mobile surface indicating that the shape change may represent cell contraction. The LT-mediated decrease in surface area of glomeruli and mesangial cells was partially antagonized by the LT inhibitor FPL-55712. In contrast to the 11- and 7-fold enhancement of PGE2 synthesis in cultured mesangial cells by ANG II or PAF, neither LTC4 nor LTD4 affected PGE2 production. These results demonstrate that LTC4 and LTD4 cause mesangial shape changes that in the whole glomerulus may decrease glomerular surface area. Unlike ANG II, AVP and PAF, LT incubation is not accompanied by concomitant increases in PG synthesis. These effects of LT on mesangial cells and isolated glomeruli may be important in the pathophysiology of glomerular disease.