Dynamic response of PG synthesis to peptide hormones and osmolality in renal tubular cells.

A superfusion technique was adapted to collagenase-dispersed renal medullary and cortical tubular cells to study prostaglandin (PG) synthesis in response to arginine vasopressin (AVP), angiotensin II (ANG II), bradykinin (BK), Ca2+ ionophore A23187, and to changes in osmolality. Medullary and cortical cells promptly responded to the stimuli by an increase in PGE2 and PGF2 alpha production, whereas 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was not detected. AVP and BK were active on medullary cells, and ANG II was active mainly on cortical cells. A23187 stimulated PG synthesis in both cells but predominantly in the medulla. PG synthesis was dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+. The Ca2+ entry blocking agents verapamil and lanthanum did not inhibit the PG response to AVP, BK, and ANG II. Thus peptide hormone-stimulated PG synthesis in renal tubular cells did not depend on Ca2+ influx through channels blocked by these agents. Hyperosmolar NaCl or mannitol stimulated PG synthesis in cortical and, more markedly, in medullary cells. Hyperosmolar urea inhibited PGE2 synthesis stimulated by peptide hormones, NaCl, and A23187 in both cell preparations. In conclusion, the superfusion of isolated tubular cells is a useful method to study the dynamic aspects of renal PG release in response to various sequentially applied stimuli.