Eberhard Hackenthal

Immunocytochemical localization of renin in mouse kidney.

SummaryThe distribution of renin in mouse kidney was examined in immunohistochemical studies by using an antiserum against pure mouse submaxillary renin and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique. At antibody dilutions from 1:104 to 1:106, renin was found in high concentrations in the epitheloid cells of the vasa afferentia and, in lower concentrations, in the wall of some of the vasa efferentia. Renin was also detected in most of the interlobular arteries. Mesangial cells and Goormaghtigh cells were always free of specific staining. At high antiserum concentrations (i.e., dilutions from 1:102 to 1:104) specific reaction product was also observed in the apical part of proximal tubule cells. This staining may represent filtered and pinocytozed renin.

Autoregulation of renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate and renin release in conscious dogs

The relationship between renal artery pressure (RAP), renal blood flow (RBF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the renal venous-arterial plasma renin activity difference (PRAD) was studied in 22 chronically instrumented, conscious foxhounds with a daily sodium intake of 6.6 mmol/kg. RAP was reduced in steps and maintained constant for 5 min using an inflatable renal artery cuff and a pressure control system.Between 160 and 81 mm Hg we observed a concomitant autoregulation of GFR and RBF with a high precision. The “break off points” for GRF- and RBF-autoregulation were sharp and were significantly different from each other (GFR: 80.5±3.5 mm Hg; RBF: 65.6±1.3 mm Hg;P<0.01). In the subautoregulatory range GFR and RBF decreased in a linerar fashion and ceased at 40 and 19 mm Hg, respectively.Between 160 mm Hg and 95 mm Hg (threshold pressure for renin release) PRAD remained unchanged; below threshold pressure PRAD increased steeply (average slope: 0.34 ng AI·ml−1·h−1· mm Hg−1) indicating that resting renin release may be doubled by a fall of RAP by only 3 mm Hg. At the “break-off point” of RBF-autoregulation (66 mm Hg) renin release was 10-fold higher than the resting level.It is concluded that under physiological conditions (normal sodium diet) GFR and RBF are perfectly autoregulated over a wide pressure range. Renin release remains suppressed until RAP falls below a well defined threshold pressure slightly below the animals resting systemic pressure. RBF is maintained at significantly lower pressures than GFR, indicating that autoregulation of RBF also involves postglomerular vessels. Our data are in agreement with the myogenic hypothesis as a basic mechanism of autoregulation.

Increased adrenal renin in transgenic hypertensive rats, TGR(mREN2)27, and its regulation by cAMP, angiotensin II, and calcium.

The newly established rat strain TGR(mREN2)27 is a monogenetic model in hypertension research. Microinjecting the mouse Ren-2d renin gene caused it to become a stable part of the genome. The rats are characterized by fulminant hypertension, low plasma active renin, suppressed kidney renin, high plasma inactive renin, and high extrarenal transgene expression, most prominently in the adrenal cortex. Additionally, they exhibit significantly enhanced excretion of corticosteroids. Here we demonstrate that part of the plasma renin and most of the adrenal renin are transgene determined and that the adrenal renin is strongly activated. TGR(mREN2)27 adrenal cells may serve as a new tool to investigate the regulation and processing of Ren-2d-derived renin and its significance in hypertension and steroid metabolism. Adrenal renin in TGR(mREN2)27 is stimulated by 8-bromo-cAMP (8-Br-cAMP), angiotensin II (ANGII), and calcium. 8-Br-cAMP significantly stimulates active renin and prorenin release, as well as Ren-2d mRNA. Interestingly, within 60 min 8-Br-cAMP, ANGII, and calcimycin stimulate active renin, but not prorenin release. This indicates different intracellular pathways. An activated adrenal renin-angiotensin system in TGR (mREN2)27 as well as the lack of negative feedback on renin secretion by ANGII may be of pathophysiological significance in this hypertensive model.

Threshold pressure for the pressure-dependent renin release in the autoregulating kidney of conscious dogs.

Abstract1.The effect of varying renal artery pressure between 160 and 40 mm Hg on renal blood flow and renin release was studied in seven conscious foxhounds under β-adrenergic blockade receiving a normal sodium diet (4.1 mmol/kg/day). Pressure was either increased by bilateral common carotid occlusion or reduced in steps and maintained constant by a control-system using an inflatable renal artery cuff. Carotid occlusion itself had no influence on renal blood flow and renin release when renal artery pressure was kept constant and the β-receptors in the kidney were blocked.2.Between 160 mm Hg and resting pressure there was no change in renal blood flow; between resting blood pressure and the lower limit of autoregulation (average 63.9 mm Hg) renal blood flow increased slightly (average 7%) indicating a high efficiency of renal blood flow autoregulation.3.The relationship between renal artery pressure and renin release could be approximated by two linear sections:a low sensitivity to a pressure change (average slope: −0.69 ±0.26ng AI/min/mm Hg) was found above a threshold pressure (average: 89.8±3.3 mm Hg) and a high sensitivity to a pressure change (average slope: −64.4±20.8 ng AI/ min/mm Hg) was observed between threshold pressure and 60 mm Hg. There was no further increase of renin release between 60 and 40 mm Hg.4.It is concluded that within the autoregulatory plateau the kidney of a conscious β-blocked dog receiving a normal sodium diet releases only negligible amounts of renin until renal artery pressure falls below a threshold pressure of 90 mm Hg which is close to the animals resting systemic pressure. Since beyond that a decrease of systemic pressure by as little as 1.3 mm Hg below threshold can raise resting renin release (84.8±29.8 ng/min) by 100%, it is suggested that systemic blood pressure tends to stabilize at a level at which renin release is minimal.

The Intrarenal Renin-Angiotensin-System An Immunocytochemical Study on the Localization of Renin, Angiotensinogen, Converting Enzyme and the Angiotensins in the Kidney of Mouse and Rat*

SummaryThe localization of renin, converting enzyme (CE) and angiotensin II (ANG II) in the kidneys of rats and mice was investigated with immunocytochemical methods. According to the presence and specific intrarenal localization of these components of the renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) our results suggest that in addition to the well known systemic effects of the RAS, there are interactions of its components inside the kidney. These interactions may lead to the generation of an extra portion of ANG II in the renal blood stream with its target cells determined by the localization of CE at the luminal side of well defined endothelial areas. These intrarenal-intravasal reactions may or may not reinforce the action of “systemic” ANG II, generated prerenally. In addition, the existence of true intrarenal-interstitial interactions, with the different components and actions of this intrarenal RAS restricted entirely to the kidney is suggested by our results, particularly the demonstration of ANG II within epitheloid cells and the dissociation of systemic renin and ANG II from their local concentrations in renal hypertensive rats.ZusammenfassungDie intrarenale Verteilung von Renin, Converting enzyme (CE) und Angiotensin II (ANG II) wurde mit immunzytochemischen Methoden an Ratten und Mäusen untersucht. Die hier aufgezeigten spezifischen Verteilungsmuster dieser Komponenten des Renin-Angiotensin-Systems (RAS) legen die Annahme nahe, daß es neben den bekannten systemischen, durch ANG II vermittelten Effekten des RAS auch lokale Interaktionen von RAS-Bestandteilen innerhalb der Niere gibt. — Eine erste Folge dieser Interaktionen dürfte die intrarenale Generation einer zusätzlichen Portion von ANG II im Nierenblutstrom sein, deren Zielgebiet durch die spezifische Lokalisation von CE in bestimmten Endothelbereichen der Nierenstrombahn bestimmt wird. Solche intrarenal-intravasalen Reaktionen können für sich wirksam werden, aber auch den Effekt von „systemisch“, d.h. prärenal generiertem ANG II verstärken. — Unsere Ergebnisse sprechen weiter dafür, daß es neben diesen intrarenal-intravasalen auch echte intrarenal-interstitielle Interaktionen der RAS-Komponenten gibt, deren Wirkung sich über das im Interstitium der Nierenrinde generierte ANG II allein auf die Niere beschränkt. Für das Vorhandensein eines solchen lokal-intrarenalen RAS spricht vor allem der Nachweis von ANG II in den epitheloiden Zellen des JGA und die Dissoziation des systemischen — an der Plasmakonzentration abzulesenden — Renin und ANG II von deren lokal-intrarenalen Konzentrationen bei renal hypertensiven Ratten.

Baroreflex sympathetic activation increases threshold pressure for the pressure-dependent renin release in conscious dogs.

Stimulus-response curves relating renal-venous-arterial plasma renin activity difference (P.R.A.-difference) to mean renal artery pressure (R.A.P.) were studied in seven chronically instrumented conscious foxhounds with a daily sodium intake of 6.1 mmol/kg. R.A.P. was reduced in steps and maintained constant for 5 min using an inflatable renal artery cuff and a pressure control system.The stimulus-response curve obtained during control conditions (C) or during common carotid artery occlusion (C.C.O.) could be approximated by two linear sections: a rather flat section or plateau-level of P.R.A.-difference at normal blood pressure or above, and a very steep section between a distinct threshold pressure and 65–70 mm Hg. While the parameters of the curves varied from dog to dog, the curves kept their inique shape in the individual dog for at least 1 week. C.C.O. had no effect on the plateau-level of the P.R.A.-difference (C:0.98±0.14,C.C.O.:0.99±0.14 ng Al·ml−1·h−1) and on the slope of the curve below threshold pressure (C:−0.379±0.041,C.C.O: −0.416±0.082 ng Al·ml−1·h−1·mm Hg−1) but shifted the stimulus-response curve to the right and increased threshold pressure (C:92.7±2.8,C.C.O.:109.7±4.1 mm Hg;P<0.05).Renal blood flow, which was measured simultaneously in three of the dogs, showed good autoregulation down to 70 mm Hg under resting conditions and was not affected by C.C.O. except for a 30% reduction of renal blood flow at the lowest pressure step (70 mm Hg).β-Adrenergic blockade in 4 of the dogs reduced the plateau-level of the P.R.A.-difference from 0.86±0.19 to 0.36±0.05 ng AI·ml−1·h−1 (P<0.05) but had no effect on the increase of threshold pressure elicited by C.C.O.It is concluded that the stimulus-response curve for the pressure-dependent renin release has a remarkable long-term stability in the individual dog. The curve is shifted to the right by a moderate carotid baroreflex increase of renal sympathetic nerve discharge which leaves total renal blood flow largely unchanged. It is suggested that the increase in threshold pressure is independent of β-adrenergic effects.

Renin immunocytochemistry of the differentiating juxtaglomerular apparatus.

SummaryThe differentiation of the juxtaglomerular apparatus in fetuses and newborn mice was investigated by renin immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy.Three to four days before delivery and prior to other organs renin was found in the fetal kidney. At this early time immunoreactivity was preferentially located in cells of the media of interlobular arteries.In newborn mice the formation of new nephrons and maturation of their glomeruli was accompanied by a shift in renin localization from the interlobular arteries to the afferent arterioles. At the same time, kidney renin content and concentration increased rapidly.Synchronously with renin immunoreactivity, during the capillary loop stage of glomerular development, granulated epitheloid cells became visible in the afferent arteriole.

Are the renin-containing granules of juxtaglomerular epithelioid cells modified lysosomes?

SummaryMature secretory granules of epithelioid cells — the so-called renin granules — exhibit certain properties, which in this particular combination are expressed only by lysosomes: Renin granules have autophagic capabilities; they react to the application of lipidosis-inducing, lysosomotropic substances by the gradual accumulation of polar lipids; all secretory granules of epithelioid cells contain acid phosphatase until maturity; and exogenous tracers reach renin granules without labeling the Golgi complex. Several functional implications can therefore be considered. Hydrolytic enzymes, constitutive elements of the granule matrix, might either cleave inactive prorenin to yield active renin within the granules or, by unspecific hydrolysis of renin, participate in the regulation of the overall quantity of secretory product. Autophagic phenomena, the involvement of renin granules in the traffic of exogenous tracers, and the build-up of polar lipids following experimental interference with lipid catabolism indicate a large turnover of membrane material in renin granules. They also suggest that cytoplasmic and extracellular fluid gains access to the granule content and may thus be involved there in the regulation of biochemical reactions by changing the intragranular milieu or via signal molecules.In addition to the lysosome-like properties of epithelioid cell secretory granules, the secretory product, renin, as a carboxyl protease, is structurally related to other acidic proteases. In the case of cathepsin D, even functional similarities exist.

Coexistence of renin and angiotensin II in epitheloid cell secretory granules of rat kidney

SummaryThe distribution of renin and angiotensin II (ANG II) in juxtaglomerular epitheloid cells of control and adrenalectomized rats was studied, using specific antisera and the protein A-gold technique in Lowicryl- and glycol methacrylate-embedded tissue.The matrix of virtually all mature secretory granules of epitheloid cells contains not only renin, but also ANG II. On adrenalectomy, the concentration of both renin and ANG II in the granule internum increases markedly, as indicated by the density of the immunolabel.Given the coexistence of renin and ANG II in the granule matrix, it is quite probable that, with each secretory event, a certain amount of ANG II is released together with renin. Further experiments will have to show if this amount of ANG II cosecreted with renin is sufficient to elicit immediate local intrarenal actions.ANG I, as well as angiotensinogen and converting enzyme, were not found in epitheloid cells. It is therefore inferred that ANG II is not generated intracellularly, but within the extracellular space and subsequently taken up by pinocytosis and incorporated into the secretory granules of epitheloid cells.

Purification and partial characterization of rat brain acid proteinase (isorenin)

1. Isorenin was purified 2000-fold from rat brain by a simple 3-step procedure involving affinity chromatography on pepstatinyl-Sepharose, The preparation appears as a homogenous protein in analytical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis indicated an apparent molecular weight of 45 000. Isoelectric focusing separated isoenzymes with isoelectric points at pH 5.45, 5.87, 6.16 and 7.05. 2. The enzyme generates antiotensin I from tetradecapeptide (pH optimum 4.7) and from sheep angiotensinogen (pH optima 3.9 and 5.5). The rate of angiotensin I formation from tetradecapeptide was 30 000 times higher than that from sheep angiotensinogen. The enzyme has acid protease activity at pH 3.2 with hemoglobin as the substrate and pepstatin is a potent inhibitor of the enzyme with a Ki of less than 10(-9) M. 3. The properties of the enzyme strongly suggest that it is identical with cathepsin D.