Timothy Traynor

Micropuncture analysis of single-nephron function in NHE3-deficient mice

The Na/H exchanger isoform 3 (NHE3) is expressed in the proximal tubule and thick ascending limb and contributes to the reabsorption of fluid and electrolytes in these segments. The contribution of NHE3 to fluid reabsorption was assessed by micropuncture in homozygous ( Nhe3 -/-) and heterozygous ( Nhe3 +/-) knockout mice, and in their wild-type (WT, Nhe3 +/+) littermates. Arterial pressure was lower in the Nhe3 -/-mice (89 ± 6 mmHg) compared with Nhe3 +/+ (118 ± 4) and Nhe3 +/-(108 ± 5). Collections from proximal and distal tubules demonstrated that proximal fluid reabsorption was blunted in both Nhe3 +/- and Nhe3 -/-mice (WT, 4.2 ± 0.3; Nhe3 +/-, 3.4 ± 0.2; and Nhe3 -/-, 2.6 ± 0.3 nl/min; P < 0.05). However, distal delivery of fluid was not different among the three groups of mice (WT, 3.3 ± 0.4 nl/min; Nhe3 +/-, 3.3 ± 0.2 nl/min; and Nhe3 -/-, 3.0 ± 0.4 nl/min; P < 0.05). In Nhe3 -/-mice, this compensation was largely attributable to decreased single-nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR): 10.7 ± 0.9 nl/min in the Nhe3 +/+ vs. 6.6 ± 0.8 nl/min in the Nhe3 -/-, measured distally. Proximal-distal SNGFR differences in Nhe3 -/-mice indicated that much of the decrease in SNGFR was due to activation of tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF), and measurements of stop-flow pressure confirmed that TGF is intact in Nhe3 -/-animals. In contrast to Nhe3 -/-mice, normalization of early distal flow rate in Nhe3 +/-mice was not related to decreased SNGFR (9.9 ± 0.7 nl/min), but rather, to increased fluid reabsorption in the loop segment ( Nhe3 +/+, 2.6 ± 0.2; Nhe3 +/-, 3.6 ± 0.5 nl/min). We conclude that NHE3 is a major Na/H exchanger isoform mediating Na+ and fluid reabsorption in the proximal tubule. In animals with NHE3 deficiency, normalization of fluid delivery to the distal tubule is achieved through alterations in filtration rate and/or downstream transport processes.

Inhibition of adenosine-1 receptor-mediated preglomerular vasoconstriction in AT1Areceptor-deficient mice

The effect of the adenosine type 1 receptor agonist N 6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) on glomerular vascular reactivity was studied in male angiotensin II type 1A (AT1A) receptor knockout mice (9). Vascular reactivity was assessed as the response of stop-flow pressure (PSF) to infusion of CHA into loops of Henle using micropuncture techniques. In AT1A +/+ mice at ambient arterial blood pressure (96.7 ± 2.8 mmHg), the presence of CHA (10-5 M) in the perfusate increased PSF responses from 6.8 ± 0.6 to 14.3 ± 0.9 mmHg when the loop of Henle of the index nephron was perfused and from 0.7 ± 0.3 to 12.3 ± 1.0 mmHg when the loop of an adjacent nephron was perfused. At reduced arterial blood pressure (82.8 ± 1.3 mmHg), index nephron perfusion with CHA increased PSF responses from 4.5 ± 0.3 to 9.4 ± 0.4 mmHg. In AT1A -/- mice with a mean arterial blood pressure of 80 ± 1.9 mmHg, CHA increased PSF responses only from 0.1 ± 0.3 to 3.6 ± 0.54 mmHg during index nephron perfusion and from 0.25 ± 0.2 to 2.7 ± 0.55 mmHg during adjacent nephron perfusion, significantly less than in wild-type animals ( P < 0.001). Responses to CHA were intermediate in AT1A +/- mice. Thus AT1A receptor knockout mice show a markedly reduced constrictor response to CHA both in the presence and absence of simultaneous activation of the tubuloglomerular feedback system. These data support the notion of a functional interaction between adenosine and angiotensin II in the regulation of afferent arteriolar tone.

Regulatory effects of macrophage inflammatory protein 1α/CCL3 on the development of immunity to Cryptococcus neoformans depend on expression of early inflammatory cytokines

ABSTRACT Macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α)/CCL3 prevents the development of eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) driven by a nonprotective T2-type immunity during infection with a highly virulent strain ofCryptococcus neoformans. The present study evaluated the interaction of MIP-1α with other innate immune system cytokines by comparing the immune responses that followed pulmonary infections with high- (C. neoformans 145A) and low (C. neoformans 52D)-virulence strains. In contrast to what was found for C. neoformans 145A infection, lack of MIP-1α in C. neoformans 52D infection did not cause the development of EP. C. neoformans 52D induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and MCP-1 in the lungs of infected wild-type (WT) and MIP-1α knockout (KO) mice by day 7 postinfection. Both WT and MIP-1α KO mice subsequently cleared this infection. Thus, the robust expression of early inflammatory cytokines in C. neoformans 52D-infected mice promoted the development of protective immunity even in the absence of MIP-1α. Alternatively, C. neoformans145A-infected WT and MIP-1α KO mice had diminished TNF-α, IFN-γ, and macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) responses, indicating that virulent C. neoformans 145A evaded early innate host defenses. However C. neoformans145A-infected WT mice had an early induction of MIP-1α and subsequently did not develop EP. In contrast, C. neoformans 145A-infected MIP-1α KO mice developed EP and had increased C. neoformans dissemination into the brain by day 35. We conclude that, in the absence of other innate immune response effector molecules, MIP-1α is crucial to prevent the development of EP and to control C. neoformansdissemination to the brain.

Leukocyte recruitment during pulmonary Cryptococcus neoformans infection

Leukocyte recruitment to the site of infection by the encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus neoformans is critical for clearance of the infection. We review data from our lab that chemokines, such as the CC chemokines MCP-1 and MIP-1alpha, are important mediators of leukocyte recruitment during C. neoformans infection. In addition, studies in CC chemokine receptor knockout mice have demonstrated that CCR2 and CCR5 are required not only for leukocyte recruitment but also for other aspects of immune response development and innate imunity to C. neoformans.