Podocyte expression of membrane transporters involved in puromycin aminonucleoside-mediated injury

PLoS One. 2013 Jun 20;8(6):e66159. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066159. Print 2013.

Abstract

Several complex mechanisms contribute to the maintenance of the intricate ramified morphology of glomerular podocytes and to interactions with neighboring cells and the underlying basement membrane. Recently, components of small molecule transporter families have been found in the podocyte membrane, but expression and function of membrane transporters in podocytes is largely unexplored. To investigate this complex field of investigation, we used two molecules which are known substrates of membrane transporters, namely Penicillin G and Puromycin Aminonucleoside (PA). We observed that Penicillin G pre-administration prevented both in vitro and in vivo podocyte damage caused by PA, suggesting the engagement of the same membrane transporters by the two molecules. Indeed, we found that podocytes express a series of transporters which are known to be used by Penicillin G, such as members of the Organic Anion Transporter Polypeptides (OATP/Oatp) family of influx transporters, and P-glycoprotein, a member of the MultiDrug Resistance (MDR) efflux transporter family. Expression of OATP/Oatp transporters was modified by PA treatment. Similarly, in vitro PA treatment increased mRNA and protein expression of P-glycoprotein, as well as its activity, confirming the engagement of the molecule upon PA administration. In summary, we have characterized some of the small molecule transporters present at the podocyte membrane, focusing on those used by PA to enter and exit the cell. Further investigation will be needed to understand precisely the role of these transporter families in maintaining podocyte homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of podocyte injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / genetics
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / metabolism*
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / toxicity
  • Biological Transport / drug effects
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane Permeability
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cyclosporine / pharmacology
  • Cytoprotection
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Kidney Glomerulus / cytology
  • Kidney Glomerulus / drug effects
  • Male
  • Organic Anion Transporters / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Organic Anion Transporters / genetics
  • Organic Anion Transporters / metabolism*
  • Penicillin G / metabolism
  • Penicillin G / pharmacology
  • Podocytes / drug effects
  • Podocytes / metabolism*
  • Puromycin Aminonucleoside / metabolism*
  • Puromycin Aminonucleoside / toxicity
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Serum Albumin / metabolism

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Organic Anion Transporters
  • Serum Albumin
  • Puromycin Aminonucleoside
  • Cyclosporine
  • Penicillin G

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from “Fondazione la Nuova Speranza onlus Lotta alla Glomeruslerosi Focale, Rho (Milano), Italy”, “Fondazione Benefica Kathleen Foreman Casali, Trieste, Italy” and by “Renal Child Foundation, G. Gaslini Children Hospital, Genova, Italy”. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.