Differential response to hormones of defined distal nephron epithelia in culture.

Defined cultures of rabbit kidney cortical collecting tubule (CCT) and cortical thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (CAL) were grown in monolayers from individual microdissected tubules and maintained for up to five passages, a maximum of 53 days. CCT cells contained cytochemically demonstrable vasopressin-stimulated adenylate cyclase, whereas CAL cells were characterized by the localization of Na+-K+-ATPase. [3H]thymidine labeling index decreased with time in primary cultures in the presence or absence of 3% serum. When added to unsupplemented serum-free media alone or in combinations, the growth factors dexamethasone, thyroxine, insulin, epidermal growth factor, and prolactin stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation to different extents. CCT cells were maximally stimulated by addition of dexamethasone alone, whereas a combination of dexamethasone, thyroxine, insulin, and prolactin was most stimulatory for CAL cells. Addition of hormones concerned with renal ion and water transport to fully supplemented serum-free media inhibited [3H]thymidine labeling index: 1) vasopressin, isoproterenol, and dibutyryl cAMP were equally inhibitory in CCT and CAL cultures; 2) parathyroid hormone and prostaglandin E1 were more inhibitory in CAL cultures; and 3) aldosterone was particularly inhibitory in CCT cultures.