Characterization of hyaluronan cable structure and function in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells

Kidney Int. 2006 Oct;70(7):1287-95. doi: 10.1038/sj.ki.5001760. Epub 2006 Aug 9.

Abstract

Alteration in the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan (HA) has been demonstrated in numerous renal diseases. We have demonstrated that renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTCs) surround themselves in vitro with HA in an organized pericellular matrix or 'coat', which is associated with cell migration, and also form pericellular HA cable-like structures which modulate PTC-mononuclear leukocytes interactions. The aim of this study was to characterize potential regulatory mechanism in the assembly of PTC-HA into pericellular cables. HA cables are generated by PTCs in the absence of serum. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrates the incorporation of components of the inter-alpha-inhibitor (IalphaI) family of proteins and versican into HA cables. Addition of an antibody to IalphaI/PalphaI (pre-alpha-inhibitor) inhibits cable formation. In contrast, inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6) has no effect on cable formation, suggesting that their generation is independent of the known heavy-chain transfer activity of TSG-6. Overexpression of HAS3 is associated with induction of HA cable formation, and also increased incorporation of HA into pericellular coats. Functionally, this resulted in enhanced HA-dependent monocyte binding and cell migration, respectively. Cell surface expression of CD44 and trypsin-released cell-associated HA were increased in HAS3-overexpressing cells. In addition, hyaluronidase (hyal1 and hyal2) and bikunin mRNA expression were increased, whereas PalphaI HC3 mRNA expression was unchanged in the transfected cells. The data demonstrate the importance of IalphaI/PalphaI in cable formation and suggest that expression of HAS3 may be critical for HA cable assembly.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alpha-Globulins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Cattle
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement
  • Culture Media
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression
  • Glucuronosyltransferase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronan Synthases
  • Hyaluronic Acid / analysis
  • Hyaluronic Acid / metabolism*
  • Hyaluronic Acid / physiology
  • Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / pharmacology
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Kidney Tubules, Proximal / cytology
  • Kidney Tubules, Proximal / metabolism*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Protein Precursors / pharmacology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Testis / enzymology
  • Time Factors
  • Trypsin Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • U937 Cells
  • Versicans / analysis
  • Versicans / metabolism

Substances

  • Alpha-Globulins
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Culture Media
  • Protein Precursors
  • RNA, Messenger
  • TNFAIP6 protein, human
  • Trypsin Inhibitors
  • pre-alpha-trypsin inhibitor
  • Versicans
  • inter-alpha-inhibitor
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Glucuronosyltransferase
  • HAS3 protein, human
  • Hyaluronan Synthases
  • Hyaluronoglucosaminidase