PKD1 Haploinsufficiency Causes a Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis in Mice
Ali K. Ahrabi*,
Sara Terryn,
Giovanna Valenti,
Nathalie Caron,
Claudine Serradeil-Le Gal||,
Danielle Raufaste||,
Soren Nielsen¶,
Shigeo Horie**,
Jean-Marc Verbavatz and
Olivier Devuyst*
* Division of Nephrology, Université catholique de Louvain Medical School, Brussels, Belgium; Laboratory of Cell Physiology, Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Physiology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Mons-Hainaut, Mons, Belgium; || Sanofi-Aventis, Toulouse, France; ¶ The Water and Salt Research Center, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark; ** Department of Urology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan; and Cell and Molecular Imaging, CEA/Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
Address correspondence to: Dr. Olivier Devuyst, Division of Nephrology, UCL Medical School, 10 Avenue Hippocrate, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium. Phone: +32-2-764-5450; Fax: +32-2-764-5455; E-mail: devuyst{at}nefr.ucl.ac.be
Received for publication January 18, 2006.
Accepted for publication March 9, 2007.
Mutations in PKD1 are associated with autosomal dominant polycystickidney disease. Studies in mouse models suggest that the vasopressin(AVP) V2 receptor (V2R) pathway is involved in renal cyst progression,but potential changes before cystogenesis are unknown. Thisstudy used a noncystic mouse model to investigate the effectof Pkd1 haploinsufficiency on water handling and AVP signalingin the collecting duct (CD). In comparison with wild-type littermates,Pkd1+/ mice showed inappropriate antidiuresis with higherurine osmolality and lower plasma osmolality at baseline, despitesimilar renal function and water intake. The Pkd1+/ micehad a decreased aquaretic response to both a water load anda selective V2R antagonist, despite similar V2R distributionand affinity. They showed an inappropriate expression of AVPin brain, irrespective of the hypo-osmolality. The cAMP levelsin kidney and urine were unchanged, as were the mRNA levelsof aquaporin-2 (AQP2), V2R, and cAMP-dependent mediators inkidney. However, the (Ser256) phosphorylated AQP2 was upregulatedin Pkd1+/ kidneys, with AQP2 recruitment to the apicalplasma membrane of CD principal cells. The basal intracellularCa2+ concentration was significantly lower in isolated Pkd1+/CD, with downregulated phosphorylated extracellular signalregulatedkinase 1/2 and decreased RhoA activity. Thus, in absence ofcystic changes, reduced Pkd1 gene dosage is associated witha syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (positive water balance)reflecting decreased intracellular Ca2+ concentration, decreasedactivity of RhoA, recruitment of AQP2 in the CD, and inappropriateexpression of AVP in the brain. These data give new insightsin the potential roles of polycystin-1 in the AVP and Ca2+ signalingand the trafficking of AQP2 in the CD.
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is themost frequent inherited nephropathy and an important cause ofESRD (1). Mutations in two genes, PKD1 and PKD2, have been associatedwith ADPKD. Mutations in PKD1 account for approximately 85%of the affected families, and they are associated with a renaldisease that progresses more rapidly than in families with PKD2(2). PKD1 and PKD2 encode integral membrane proteins, polycystin-1and polycystin-2, that interact in renal primary cilia and regulatethe proliferation and differentiation of renal tubular cellsvia different signaling pathways (3). Mutations in PKD1/PKD2disrupt these pathways, leading to cystogenesis by a combinationof increased cellular proliferation, abnormal fluid secretion,and dedifferentiation (1,3). All nephron segments may be involvedin cyst formation in ADPKD, but an important fraction of thecysts is derived from the collecting ducts (CD) (4,5).
In vitro studies have shown that cAMP plays a major role incystogenesis. Exposure to cAMP agonists stimulates fluid secretionacross monolayers of ADPKD cyst-lining epithelial cells (6),as well as the proliferation of these cells (7). Furthermore,increased levels of cAMP resulting from the activation of vasopressin(AVP) V2 receptor (V2R) pathway in CD cells may contribute tothe progression of cystogenesis. In two cystic models that areorthologous to human autosomal recessive PKD (PCK rat) and nephronophthisis(pcy mouse) and one cystic model that is orthologous to humanADPKD type 2 (Pkd2/tm1Som mouse), increased renal cAMPlevels compared with normal mice, paralleled with higher expressionof aquaporin-2 (AQP2) and V2R, have been reported (810).The administration of V2R antagonists to these models loweredrenal cAMP and inhibited the development and progression ofestablished renal cystic disease (810), motivating trialsto test the efficacy of V2R antagonists in patients with ADPKD(11). It is important to note that all rodent models testedso far develop renal cysts (and subsequent renal failure) withina few weeks of age.
In normal CD cells, the stimulation of V2R by AVP leads to thephosphorylation of AQP2 on the Ser256 residue and its subsequentinsertion in the apical plasma membrane, an essential step tomediate final urine concentration (12,13). A mild impairmentin urinary concentrating ability, with increased circulatingAVP levels, has been described in patients with ADPKD and cystickidneys (11,14,15). However, this urinary concentrating abnormalityis probably not specific, because any modification of the medullaryarchitecture (e.g., cystic changes) impairs the constitutionof the corticomedullary osmotic gradient, resulting in nephrogenicdiabetes insipidus (16). Considering that an activation of theV2R pathway has been involved in PKD mouse models with cystsoriginating from the CD (810), we hypothesized that thecomplex chain of events that mediates urinary concentrationin the CD could be modified early, before cystogenesis.
In this study, we used a well-established mouse model with atargeted deletion of Pkd1 (Pkd1+/) (17) to test whetherPkd1 haploinsufficiency causes abnormal water handling and AVPsignaling in the CD before cystogenesis and renal failure. Likeother Pkd1-null mutants, the homozygous Pkd1/mice die in utero with massive cystic kidneys, hydrops fetalis,and cardiovascular defects (1720). By contrast, thereis no consistent phenotype in heterozygous Pkd1+/ micethat do not develop renal cysts until (in a few individuals)a very old age (21,22). Our investigations reveal for the firsttime that reduced Pkd1 gene dosage results in inappropriateantidiuresis and positive water balance, reflecting decreasedintracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) levels with lowered RhoA activityand recruitment of AQP2 in the apical membrane of CD principalcells and inappropriate expression of AVP in the brain.
Pkd1 Mice and Sampling
Experiments were conducted on age- and gender-matched adultmice (aged 20 to 35 wk) with a targeted deletion of the exons2 to 5 and part of exon 6 of Pkd1, resulting in a null allele(17). The mice were maintained on a mixed 129/sv/C57BL/6J background.They were housed in light- and temperature-controlled room withad libitum access to tap water and standard chow (Pavan, Oud-Turnhout,Belgium). Previous experiments showed that the Pkd1 mice hadsimilar heart rate and BP (N. Morel, et al., unpublished data,2007). Water handling at baseline and during various protocolswas assessed in individual metabolic cages, after appropriatetraining. Blood and tissue samples were obtained at time ofkilling, after anesthesia with Sevoflurane (Abbott, Ottignies,Belgium) and exsanguination. Blood was collected by venous puncture,and plasma samples were kept at 20°C. The samplingprocedures were exactly similar in both groups. Tissue sampleswere immediately processed for fixation and mRNA/protein extraction.The experiments were conducted in accordance with the NationalResearch Council Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animalsand were approved by the local Animal Ethics Committee.
Water Handling Protocols
Plasma samples and 24-h urine collections were obtained at baseline,and the urinary concentrating ability was tested after 24-hwater deprivation. The capacity to excrete a water load wastested after intraperitoneal injection of 2 ml of sterile water;urine was collected under a plastic-wrapped container on anhourly basis for the next 6 h. The aquaretic effect of the V2Rantagonist SR121463B (Sanofi-Aventis, Chilly-Mazarin, France),which has a high affinity for renal V2R from several species,including rat, mouse, and human (Ki = 0.26 ± 0.04 nM)(23), was tested after intraperitoneal administration of dosagesthat ranged from 0.1 to 30 mg/kg and hourly determination ofdiuresis for the next 6 h as described above.
V2R Binding Assays and Autoradiography
Renomedullary preparations from Pkd1+/+ and Pkd1+/ mice(or CHO membranes that expressed human V2R used as positivecontrols) were incubated in a 50-mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.1)that contained 2 mM MgCl2, 1 mM EDTA, 0.1% BSA, 0.1% bacitracin,and [3H]SR121463 (0.8 to 28 nM for saturation experiments or2 nM for binding studies). The reaction was started by the additionof membranes (7.5 µg/assay for CHO and 100 to 130 µg/assayfor mouse renal tissue) and incubation for 45 min at 25°C,stopped by filtration through Whatman GF/B filters as describedpreviously (24). Nonspecific binding was determined in the presenceof 1 µM SR121463B. Data for equilibrium binding (apparentequilibrium dissociation constant [Kd] and maximum binding density[Bmax]) were calculated using an interactive nonlinear regressionprogram (25).
For performance of autoradiography, kidneys from Pkd1 mice werefrozen at 40°C in isopentane and further stored at80°C. Serial sections (15 µm) were mountedonto gelatin chrome-alum slides, rinsed to eliminate endogenousAVP, and incubated with 1.5 nM [3H]SR121463 alone (total binding)and in the presence of 1 µM unlabeled SR121463B or AVP(nonspecific binding) as described previously (24). After incubation,the sections were washed three times for 10 min each in ice-coldbinding buffer, dipped in distilled water, and dried under astream of cold air. Rinsed labeled sections were placed on aphosphor-imaging plate for 4 d and further analyzed with a BAS5000Bio-Image Analyser (Fuji, Tokyo, Japan). SR121463B, monophosphatesalt, and [3H]SR121463 (47.5 Ci/mmol) were synthesized at Sanofi-Aventis,whereas AVP was obtained from Sigma Chemical Co. (L'Isle d'Abeau,France).
Plasma and Urine Analyses
Sodium, urea, creatinine, and calcium were measured using aKodak Ektachem DT60II Analyzer (Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick,NJ), and osmolality was measured using a Fiske Osmometer (NeedhamHeights, MA). The nitrite/nitrate (NOx) concentrations weremeasured in urine and plasma using a colorimetric assay (CaymanChemical, Ann Arbor, MI). Because sevoflurane may induce therelease of AVP, thereby increasing plasma values in our protocols,we measured urine AVP levels, which were not obtained undersevoflurane anesthesia, using RIA (Peninsula Laboratories, SanCarlos, CA). For cAMP determinations, whole kidneys were groundunder liquid nitrogen and homogenized in 10 volumes of 0.1 MHCl. The homogenate was centrifuged at 600 x g for 10 min, andthe supernatant was collected, diluted (1:10) in 0.1 M HCl,and processed with acetylation using an enzyme immunoassay kit(Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO). The urine samples were diluted(1:5000) in 0.1 M HCl and were processed without acetylation.The urinary prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was measured by EIA (AmershamBiosciences, Piscataway, NJ).
Reverse TranscriptionPCR and Real-Time Reverse TranscriptionPCR
Total RNA from mouse kidney and brain (26) was extracted withTrizol (Invitrogen, Merelbeke, Belgium), treated with DNaseI, and reverse-transcribed into cDNA. The primers (SupplementaryTable 1) were designed using Beacon Designer 2.0 (Premier BiosoftInternational, Palo Alto, CA). Changes in target gene mRNA levelswere determined by semiquantitative real-time reverse transcriptionPCR(RT-PCR) with an iCycler IQ System (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules,CA) using SYBR Green I. Real-time semiquantitative PCR analyseswere performed in duplicate as described previously (27). ThePCR conditions were 94°C for 3 min followed by 31 cyclesof 30 s at 95°C, 30 s at 61°C and 1 min at 72°C.Negative controls excluded amplification from genomic DNA. Foreach assay, standard curves were prepared by serial four-folddilutions of cDNA samples. The efficiency of the reactions wascalculated from the slope of the standard curve [efficiency= (101/slope) 1] (27).
Antibodies
Rabbit polyclonal antibodies against AQP2 (Sigma-Aldrich), Ser256phosphorylated AQP2 (p-AQP2) (12), AQP1 (Chemicon, Temecula,CA), AQP3 (a gift from J.-M. Verbavatz, CEA Saclay), extracellularsignalregulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2; C16) and Tyr204 p-ERK1/2(Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, Santa Cruz, CA), mouse monoclonalRhoA and Ser188 p-RhoA (Santa Cruz Biotechnologies), and mousemAb against -actin (Sigma-Aldrich) were used.
Immunoblotting
Kidneys were ground under liquid nitrogen and homogenized asdescribed previously (27). The homogenate was centrifuged at1000 x g for 15 min at 4°C. The resulting supernatant waseither kept at 80°C (as the "total extract" fraction)or centrifuged at 100,000 x g for 120 min at 4°C. The pellet("membrane" fraction) was suspended in homogenization bufferbefore determination of protein concentration and storage at80°C. SDS-PAGE was performed under reduced (kidney)or nonreduced (urine) conditions. After blotting on nitrocellulose,the membranes were incubated overnight at 4°C with primaryantibodies, washed, incubated for 1 h at room temperature withperoxidase-labeled antibodies (Dako, Glostrup, Denmark), andvisualized with enhanced chemiluminescence. Normalization for-actin was obtained after stripping and reprobing. Densitometryanalysis was performed with a StudioStar Scanner (Agfa-Gevaert,Mortsel, Belgium) using the NIH-Image V157 software.
Immunohistochemistry
Kidney samples were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde (BoehringerIngelheim, Heidelberg, Germany) in 0.1 mol/L phosphate buffer(pH 7.4) before embedding in paraffin. The 6-µm sectionswere stained with hemalum-eosin or incubated for 30 min with0.3% H2O2, followed by 20 min with 10% normal serum, and 45min with the primary antibodies diluted in PBS that contained2% BSA. After washing, sections were successively incubatedwith biotinylated secondary anti-IgG antibodies, avidin-biotinperoxidase, and aminoethylcarbazole (Vectastain Elite; VectorLaboratories, Burlingame, CA). Sections were viewed under aLeica DMR coupled to a Leica DC300 digital camera (Leica, Heerbrugg,Switzerland).
Immunoelectron Microscopy
For electron microscopy, kidney samples from Pkd1 mice werefixed overnight in 4% paraformaldehyde and 0.1% glutaraldehydein PBS and washed in PBS. Small samples, including the outermedulla and the top of inner medulla, were embedded in unicryl,and 80-nm-thick sections were cut. Sections were preincubatedin 20 mM Tris buffer (pH 7.5) that contained 0.1% BSA, 0.1%fish gelatin, and 0.05% Tween 20 (buffer-T), followed by a 90-minincubation in the same buffer-T that contained a 1:100 dilutionof anti-AQP2 polyclonal antibodies. Sections were washed threetimes in buffer-T, then incubated in a 1:25 dilution of 10 nmof gold-conjugated secondary antibodies for 45 min. After washingin Tris, sections were stained with uranyl-acetate and leadcitrate and photographed on a Philips EM 400 microscope (FEI,Eindhoven, Netherlands). Three samples from three pairs of micewere processed, and at least 10 pictures of outer medullaryCD principal cells were randomly taken for each sample. Thedata are expressed as number of gold particles per micron ofapical membrane length. Ultrastructural examination of the vasarecta was performed on three pairs of kidney slices and fixedovernight in 2% glutaraldehyde before washing in PBS.
Measurement of RhoA Activity
Quantification of active RhoA (GTP-bound) was measured by selectiveaffinity precipitation of GTP-Rho (Upstate, Temecula, CA), followingthe procedure described in detail previously (28,29). The kidneyswere ground under liquid nitrogen and homogenized in ice-cold1x Mg2+ lysis/wash buffer according to the manufacturer's instructions(Upstate, Temecula, CA). The homogenates were centrifuged at15,000 x g for 30 min, and the supernatant of each sample wascollected. A total of 30 µg of GST-tagged fusion protein,corresponding to residues 7 to 89 of mouse Rhotekin Rho BindingDomain, bound to glutathione-agarose beads, was added to thesupernatant of each sample (500-µl exact) and were rotatedovernight at 4°C. Beads were washed three times with Mg2+lysis/wash buffer, and bound proteins were separated by SDS-PAGEand detected by Western blotting using a monoclonal RhoA antibody(28,29).
Measurement of Intracellular Ca2+ Concentration
Inner medullary collecting ducts (IMCD) were isolated from collagenase-digestedmedulla from three pairs of Pkd1+/+ and Pkd1+/ mousekidneys. The tubule segments were seeded onto glass coverslipsand examined using an inverted Nikon TMD35 epifluorescence microscope(Analis, Namur, Belgium) in a thermostated chamber at 37°C.The intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measuredas described previously (30). Briefly, after measurement ofthe background signal, isolated tubules were loaded with Fura-2by incubation with the membrane-permeant acetoxymethyl (AM)ester form of the dye (10 µM) for 1 h at 37°C. Tubuleswere excited at 340 and 380 nm, and the fluorescence emissionwas recorded at 510 nm. Data collection time for an image was2 s. Fura-2 was calibrated in vivo at the end of each experiment,according to the equation derived by [Ca2+]i = KdRbf [(r rmin)/(rmax r)], where Kd is the dissociation constantof Fura-2 for Ca2+ (135 nM), Rbf is the maximum fluorescenceintensity as a result of excitation at 380 nm (in the absenceof Ca2+) divided by the minimum fluorescence intensity at 380nm (in the presence of saturating Ca2+), r is the F340/F380fluorescence ratio, rmax and rmin are the F340/F380 fluorescenceratios in the presence of saturating Ca2+ and in the absenceof Ca2+, respectively. rmax was obtained by permeabilizationof the tubules with Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin (10 µM),in the presence of 5 mM extracellular Ca2+. For obtaining subsequentlythe minimum ratio rmin, the tubules were exposed to a Ca2+ freesolution (containing 10 mM EGTA) with 10 µM ionomycinand 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid(BAPTA)-acetoxymethyl (10 µM) to buffer intracellularCa2+.
Statistical Analyses
Data are means ± SEM. LogED50 (the dosage of agonistthat provokes 50% of the maximum response) values were calculatedby nonlinear curve fitting of the individual concentration-effectcurve data (GraphPad, San Diego, CA). Comparisons between groupswere performed using two-tailed unpaired t test. Significancelevel was P < 0.05.
Kidney Structure and Baseline Parameters
Macroscopic and histology analyses (Supplementary Figure 1)confirmed the normal kidney structure in heterozygous Pkd1+/versus Pkd1+/+ mice (20 to 35 wk old). In particular, no cystsor tubular dilations were observed in any segment of the Pkd1+/kidneys. The baseline clinical and biologic parameters are shownin Table 1. The Pkd1+/ mice had similar body and kidneyweight as wild-type (WT) littermates and similar plasma ureaand creatinine values. The Pkd1+/ mice showed a three-folddecrease in urinary output, associated with a higher urine sodium/osmolalityand a lower plasma sodium/osmolality in comparison with WT littermates,despite similar water intake. These observations were confirmedin other sets of adult mice, irrespective of gender. The Pkd1+/mice were also characterized by significantly lower cumulativeurinary excretion of AVP, calcium, and NOx and a trend for lowerurinary PGE2, whereas the cAMP levels in kidney and urine andthe plasma NOx were unchanged. The urinary concentrations ofcalcium and AVP both were higher in Pkd1+/ mice, reflectingthe net water reabsorption. These data show that, in the absenceof cystic changes and renal failure, the Pkd1+/ miceare in positive water balance, with similar water intake butlower plasma sodium and osmolality.
Table 1. Baseline parameters, renal function, and water metabolisma
Urinary Concentrating Ability and Water Handling
A 24-h water deprivation was performed to assess the urinaryconcentrating ability in the Pkd1 mice (Figure 1, A and B).Confirming the previous observations, the Pkd1+/ micehad a lower urine output and higher urine osmolality at baseline.Water deprivation resulted in a similar weight loss (averaging14 ± 0.7% in Pkd1+/+ and 13 ± 0.2% in Pkd1+/;n = 4 pairs), but the urinary concentrating ability was significantlyhigher in Pkd1+/ mice, as indicated by lower volume andhigher urine osmolality at the end of the test.
Figure 1. Response to water deprivation and water loading in Pkd1 mice. (A) Urine output was measured during 24-h baseline (BL) and 24-h water deprivation (WD) in four pairs of Pkd1+/+ and Pkd1+/ mice. The Pkd1+/ mice had a significantly lower urine output at BL and after 24-h WD. The WD resulted in a similar weight loss in both groups. (B) Urine osmolality (Uosm) was higher at BL and after WD in the Pkd1+/ group versus Pkd1+/+ group. *P < 0.05, Pkd1+/versus Pkd1+/+. (C) Nine pairs of mice were administered an intraperitoneal injection of 2 ml of sterile water. In comparison with wild-type (WT) littermates, Pkd1+/ mice showed a significantly delayed ability to excrete water up to 3 h after water load. *P < 0.035, #P < 0.005, Pkd1+/versus Pkd1+/+.
A test of acute water loading (2 ml intraperitoneally [approximately70 ml/kg]) was performed to investigate the capacity of Pkd1mice to eliminate water during a 6-h period (Figure 1C). Incomparison with WT littermates, Pkd1+/ mice showed asignificant decrease in their ability to excrete water up to3 h after the water load. Although Pkd1+/ mice were ableto excrete more water than the WT mice during the last 3 h ofthe test, the total excreted volume of water after 6 h was slightlylower (total 6-h urine output: 1720 ± 70 µl inPkd1+/ mice versus 1894 ± 88 µl in Pkd1+/+mice; n = 9 pairs; P = 0.88). Thus, the Pkd1+/ mice havean inappropriate antidiuresis at baseline, a higher abilityto concentrate urine when challenged by water deprivation, anda decreased ability to excrete a water load.
Characterization of Renal V2R and Response to V2R Antagonist
To characterize the distribution and affinity of V2R, we performedautoradiography of Pkd1+/+ and Pkd1+/ kidneys that wereincubated with a highly selective V2R ligand, alone or withan excess of unlabeled ligand or AVP (Figure 2A). We observeda dense specific labeling confined in the inner/outer medullaand papilla area, corresponding to the main localization ofthe V2R in rodent CD. The binding pattern, as well as the bindingparameters (Kd and Bmax) were similar in both groups. We nexttested the aquaretic response of Pkd1 mice to the V2R antagonistSR121463B. Using incremental dosages, we showed a dosage-dependentincrease in the aquaretic effect in WT mice, whereas Pkd1+/mice showed a decreased sensitivity to the V2R antagonist (lowerdiuresis during the 6-h period) at dosages that ranged from0.1 to 10 mg/kg (Figure 2B). The decreased response to SR121463Bwas confirmed by a right shift of the dosage-response curve(Figure 2C), with Pkd1+/ mice showing a significantlyhigher ED50 in comparison with Pkd1+/+ mice (Log ED50: 0.723± 0.03 in Pkd1+/versus 0.507 ± 0.07 inPkd1+/+; n = 5 pairs; P = 0.02). These data demonstrate that,despite similar distribution and binding parameters of V2R,the Pkd1+/ mice have a decreased sensitivity to a V2Rantagonist.
Figure 2. Autoradiography and binding properties of renal V2 receptors and efficacy of the vasopressin (AVP) V2 receptor (V2R) antagonist SR121463B in Pkd1 mice. (A) Autoradiography of Pkd1+/+ and Pkd1+/ kidneys that were incubated with the highly selective V2R ligand [3H]SR121463 alone (1.5 nM, total binding; a and b) and in the presence of 1 µM unlabeled SR121463B (c and d) or AVP (e and f; nonspecific binding). The obtained autoradiograms show a dense specific labeling confined in the inner/outer medulla and papilla area, corresponding to the main localization of the V2R in rodent collecting ducts (CD). Binding studies showed that [3H]SR121463 binds with high affinity to renal V2R. The distribution pattern is similar in Pkd1+/+ and Pkd1+/ kidneys. The saturation binding experiments revealed similar binding parameters of [3H]SR121463 for renal V2R in Pkd1 mice (NS; i.e., apparent equilibrium dissociation constant [Kd] and maximum binding density [Bmax]). (B) Hourly urine output after injection of various dosages (0.1 to 30 mg/kg) of SR121463B in five pairs of mice. In comparison with WT littermates (solid trait), Pkd1+/ mice (dashed trait) showed a systematically lower urine excretion during the 6-h period for dosages that ranged from 0.1 to 10 mg/kg. Each point is the mean of five mice in each group. (C) Dosage-response curves and cumulative ED50 determination. A significant higher ED50 is observed in Pkd1+/ mice versus WT littermates (Log ED50 mean 0.507 ± 0.07 in Pkd1+/+, 0.723 ± 0.03 in Pkd1+/; n = 5 pairs). The Log ED50 value corresponds to dosage concentrations of 3.2 mg/kg in Pkd1+/+ and 5.3 mg/kg in Pkd1+/ mice. Diuresis values (µl per 6-h period) were significantly lower in Pkd1+/versus Pkd1+/+ at dosage concentrations of 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg. *P < 0.05.
Mechanism of Antidiuresis in Pkd1+/ Mice: Real-Time RT-PCR Analyses
The potential mechanism for the inappropriate antidiuresis inthe Pkd1+/ mice was further investigated. We used real-timeRT-PCR to test for the differential expression of transcriptsthat primarily are involved in the AVP signaling pathway, includingthe V1a and V2 receptors, the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR),endothelin-1 (ET1), AQP2, the cAMP-responsive element bindingprotein (CREB, a mediator in gene transcription of AQP2) inthe kidney, and AVP in the brain. In addition, mRNA levels ofother cAMP-dependent molecules, such as AQP3, the epithelialsodium channel (ENaC) -subunit, and the urea transporter 1 (UTA1)were measured (Figure 3). The expression levels of these mediatorswere similar in both groups, except for a slight but significantdecrease (average 21%) in the expression of endothelin1 (ET1). The expression levels of transcripts related to intracellularCa2+, such as adenylate cyclase isoforms 3 and 6 (AC3, AC6),calmodulin (CaM), parvalbumin, and calcineurin A or (PPP3CA,PP3CB) were similar. The mRNA levels of endothelial nitric oxidesynthase (eNOS) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), twomediators in cAMP-independent cell-surface expression of AQP2,were also similar in both groups. There was no upregulationof Pkd2 expression in kidney and brain. Importantly, the brainAVP expression was unchanged in the Pkd1+/ mice (average108%) despite chronic hypo-osmolality.
Figure 3. Real-time reverse transcriptionPCR quantification of the mRNA expression of mediators that are involved in AVP signaling in the kidney and brain of Pkd1 mice. The mRNA levels were first adjusted to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), then normalized to the WT level set at 100% using the following formula: Ratio = 2 [Ct(GAPDH Target+/) Ct(GAPDH Target+/+).These normalized values (mean ± SEM) are shown in the right column. In addition to the haploinsufficiency in Pkd1, there was a significant decrease in the expression of endothelin-1 (ET1) in Pkd1+/ kidneys. Nine pairs of kidneys and 11 pairs of brains were analyzed.
Mechanism of Antidiuresis: Phosphorylation and Recruitment of AQP2
We next investigated whether the antidiuresis that was observedin the heterozygous Pkd1 mice could be related to modificationsin the AQP2 trafficking in the CD (Figure 4). Immunoblottingshowed a significant upregulation of AQP2 and p-AQP2 in membranefractions from Pkd1+/ kidneys, contrasting with stableAQP1 levels (Figure 4A). Densitometry analysis confirmed thesignificant increase in AQP2 (approximately 0.6-fold) and p-AQP2(approximately 1.15-fold) in the membrane fractions that wereobtained from Pkd1+/ kidneys (Figure 4B). The recruitmentof AQP2 to the apical membrane of CD cells was also reflectedby its increased excretion in urine (Figure 4C).
Figure 4. Expression of aquaporin 1 (AQP1), AQP2, and phosphorylated AQP2 (p-AQP2): Immunoblotting. (A) Representative immunoblots for AQP1, AQP2, and p-AQP2 in homogenate (H) and membrane (M) fractions that were prepared from Pkd1 mouse kidneys. Equal loads (20 µg) were compared, as verified by similar -actin expression. Although there is no difference in AQP2 expression in the H fractions, there is an upregulation of AQP2 and p-AQP2 in the M fractions from Pkd1+/ kidneys. There is no difference in AQP1 expression in these very M fractions. (B) Densitometry analysis (core and glycosylated bands) confirms that there is a significant increase of AQP2 (relative OD 161 ± 2%; P = 0.01) and p-AQP2 (relative OD 214 ± 6%; P = 0.0002) in the M fractions of Pkd1+/ kidneys. (C) Representative immunoblot for AQP2 and p-AQP2 in Pkd1 mouse urine. Samples (15 µl) were loaded and analyzed by Western blot under nonreducing condition. *P < 0.05, Pkd1+/versus Pkd1+/+.
In strictly controlled conditions of incubation (Figure 5),the staining for both AQP2 and p-AQP2 was upregulated in theapical membrane of the principal CD cells in the medulla ofkidneys from Pkd1+/ mice (Figure 5A). In contrast, theAQP3 labeling was restricted to the basolateral plasma membrane,with no difference in staining intensity or distribution. Immunogoldstaining at the EM level (Figure 5B) showed a significant labelingfor AQP2 at the apical plasma membrane in most CD principalcells in Pkd1+/+ mice (Figure 5B, top) but an even more abundantapical membrane labeling in the cells of Pkd1+/ mice(Figure 5B, bottom). Of interest, the principal cells in theCD of Pkd1+/ mice often exhibited extensive infoldings(small microvilli or more probably microplicae as a result ofapical plasma membrane infoldings), which were not observedas often in the Pkd1+/+ cells (Figure 5B, top versus bottom).Morphometry analysis of the gold particles that localized atthe plasma membrane demonstrated a two-fold increase in thedensity of AQP2 labeling in the Pkd1+/ mice (Figure 5C).Of note, there were no modifications in the structure or diameterof the vasa recta in the Pkd1+/ mice (data not shown).
Figure 5. Immunostaining and electron microscopy immunogold labeling for AQP2 in the kidneys of Pkd1 mice. (A) In comparison with Pkd1+/+, there is a strong increase in the apical signal for AQP2 (a and b) and p-AQP2 (c and d) in the kidneys of Pkd1+/ mice. The typical staining for AQP3 (e and f) in the basolateral membrane of the principal cells (PC) is similar in both groups. Several unlabeled CD cells correspond to intercalated cells. Bar = 50 µm. (B) Representative electron microscopy gold labeling of AQP2 in the outer medullary CD of Pkd1+/+ (a) and Pkd1+/ (b) mouse kidney. The labeling was restricted to PC and particularly abundant at the plasma membrane. However, AQP2 labeling was remarkably more intense in Pkd1+/ than in Pkd1+/+ kidneys. IC, intercalated cell; N, nucleus; J, tight junction; L, collecting duct lumen. Bar = 0.5 µm. (C) Morphometric analysis of the density of gold particles at the apical plasma membrane of Pkd1+/+ and Pkd1+/ PC confirmed an approximately two-fold increase (*P < 1.106) in the apical AQP2 in the Pkd1+/versus Pkd1+/+ kidney (number of gold particles per millimeter of membrane length: 11.44 ± 0.87 versus 5.18 ± 0.58). The total number of particles and total membrane length were 725 particles over 140 mm (29 cells from 3 Pkd1+/+ mice) and 1633 particles over 142 mm (27 cells from 3 Pkd1+/ mice).
In view of the role of Rho signaling in regulating the cytoskeletaldynamics and AQP2 translocation in CD cells, we investigatedthe expression and phosphorylation of RhoA (Figure 6A) and activitylevel of RhoA (Figure 6B) in the Pkd1 kidneys. Western blottingdemonstrated a significant upregulation of p-RhoA, with downregulationof RhoA in kidney extracts from Pkd1+/ mice. Furthermore,affinity precipitation of GTP-Rho followed by Western blottingconfirmed that the amount of active RhoA was significantly decreasedin the Pkd1+/ kidney extracts. The ERK1/2 signaling,another regulator of Rho activity, was also downregulated asevidenced by the significant decrease of p-ERK1/2 over totalERK1/2 ratio in homogenates from Pkd1+/ kidneys (Figure 6C).These data demonstrate that the inappropriate water reabsorptionthat was observed in Pkd1+/ mice reflects an increasedphosphorylation of AQP2 and RhoA and decreased activity of RhoA,promoting the recruitment of AQP2 at the apical plasma membraneof the principal cells.
Figure 6. Activity of RhoA and extracellular signalregulated kinase (ERK) signaling in Pkd1 kidneys: Immunoblotting and affinity precipitation. (A) Representative immunoblots for p-RhoA and RhoA in homogenates from Pkd1 mouse kidneys. Equal loads (20 µg per lane) were compared, as verified by similar -actin expression. After probing for p-RhoA, the membrane was stripped and reprobed for RhoA. The upregulation of p-RhoA in the Pkd1+/ group is reflected by the downregulation of RhoA. Densitometry analysis confirms the significant increase of the p-RhoA over RhoA ratio in Pkd1+/ kidneys versus 100% of the Pkd1+/+ group (749 ± 165%; P < 0.001). (B) Representative immunoblot for quantification of active RhoA (GTP-bound) in Pkd1 mouse kidneys. Equal loads (20 µl per lane) were compared. Affinity precipitation followed by Western blotting confirmed that the amount of active RhoA was decreased in the Pkd1+/ kidneys. Densitometry analysis confirms that there is a significantly decreased amount of active RhoA in Pkd1+/ kidneys (relative OD 35 ± 13%; P = 0.01). (C) Representative immunoblot for phosphorylated and total ERK1/2 in homogenates from Pkd1 mouse kidneys. Equal loads (20 µg per lane) were compared and verified by similar -actin expression. There is a significant decrease of the p-ERK1/2 over ERK1/2 ratio in Pkd1+/ kidneys, as confirmed by densitometry (46 ± 7% versus Pkd1+/+ taken as 100%; P = 0.02).
[Ca2+]i in IMCD from Pkd1 Mice
For investigation of whether the heterozygous loss of Pkd1 issufficient to alter resting [Ca2+]i in the principal cells ofthe CD, isolated IMCD that were dissected from three pairs ofage- and gender-matched Pkd1 mice were loaded with Fura-2 tomeasure [Ca2+]i levels. As shown in Figure 7, [Ca2+]i valueswere significantly lower in Pkd1+/versus Pkd1+/+ cells(146 ± 3.0 versus 186 ± 3.5 nM, respectively;P < 0.0001).
Figure 7. Baseline intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in inner medullary CD (IMCD) tubules of Pkd1 mice. Different regions (n = 24 per group) from six Pkd1+/+ (filled symbols) and six Pkd1+/ (open symbols) IMCD tubules that originated from three pairs of mice were analyzed. [Ca2+]i were lower in the Pkd1+/ group (open symbols) compared with WT group (filled symbols; 146 ± 3.0 versus 186 ± 3.5 nM, respectively; P < 0.0001).
In this study, we show that reduced Pkd1 gene dosage in mouseleads to a syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD), inthe absence of cystic changes and renal failure. The heterozygousPkd1+/ mice are characterized by the inappropriate expressionof AVP in brain and the recruitment of AQP2 in the apical plasmamembrane of the CD principal cells, reflecting decreased [Ca2+]ilevels and decreased activity of RhoA in these cells. Thesedata, the first to document functional modifications in heterozygousPkd1 mice, emphasize the importance of abnormal AVP and Ca2+signaling in ADPKD and give insights in the potential rolesof PKD1. Also, the Pkd1+/ mice represent a model of inappropriateantidiuresis that may be useful to decipher the mechanisms thatare involved in AQP2 trafficking.
In contrast with the Pkd1-null mouse models, which are embryonicallylethal, heterozygous Pkd1 mice have a normal growth and no detectableabnormalities at birth and during adulthood (1721). Withthe exception of a limited number of renal and liver cysts ina minority of old mice (17,21,22), no detailed functional phenotypehas been associated with Pkd1 haploinsufficiency. Recent studiesin cystic mouse (Pkd2/tm1Somand pcy) and rat (PCK) modelswith various degree of renal failure pointed out that increasedcAMP levels, secondary to abnormal V2R signaling in CD cells,could play a role in cyst progression (810). However,the effects of such an abnormal signaling could be masked bynonspecific structural changes that alter the osmotic waterhandling by the CD (16). Thus, adult Pkd1+/ mice offerthe opportunity to test the functional consequences of a Pkd1haploinsufficient state on AVP signaling and water handlingin the absence of intercurrent mechanisms.
Several lines of evidence show that Pkd1+/ mice havea SIAD. At baseline, the Pkd1+/ mice have a decreasedurinary output with higher urine sodium/osmolality and lowerplasma sodium/osmolality. After water deprivation, the Pkd1+/mice are able to concentrate urine to a greater extent thanWT littermates. Conversely, they have an impaired ability toexcrete a water load. All of these elements indicate that haploinsufficiencyin Pkd1 is associated with abnormal osmoregulation and a positivewater balance. That both the water intake and the expressionof AVP in the brain are unchanged, irrespective of the chronichypo-osmolality, does suggest a central defect in Pkd1+/mice. Such a central defect could reflect high expression levelsof polycystins in the brain (20) and a potential role in thepathways that regulate AVP secretion. Of note, two potentialmechanisms may explain the significantly lower values of urineAVP excretion in the Pkd1+/ mice: (1) The water retention,causing a decrease in the urinary output, and (2) that urinaryAVP excretion is influenced by the osmolar clearance (Cosm),as a result of interference with the reabsorption/degradationof filtered AVP in the proximal tubule (31). Accordingly, thelower urinary AVP excretion could reflect the significant decreasein Cosm in Pkd1+/versus WT mice (3.9 ± 0.2 versus6.2 ± 0.3 µl/min; n = 15 pairs; P < 0.0001),leading to accelerated tubular degradation of AVP. Recent studieshave shown an increased reactivity of the aortic and renal vasculaturein Pkd1+/ mice (32), and a reduced renal blood flow couldexplain such a reduced Cosm. At any rate, the positive waterbalance of noncystic Pkd1+/ mice contrasts with the mildconcentrating defect reported in patients with ADPKD (14). Theexistence of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in conditions thatare associated with structural changes in the medulla (16) andthe correlation between the number of renal cysts and the extentof the concentrating defect (33) suggest that the latter primarilyreflects cystic changes in the medulla of patients with ADPKD(11).
Kidney-specific mechanisms are also involved in the inappropriateantidiuresis phenotype of the Pkd1+/ mice (Figure 8).In normal conditions, the binding of AVP to V2R at the basolateralpole of CD principal cells triggers a heterotrimeric G-proteincoupledcascade, activating AC6 and increasing cAMP levels, which leadsto the phosphorylation of AQP2 at Ser256 by protein kinase A(PKA), followed by the trafficking of p-AQP2 to the apical plasmamembrane and the increase in the osmotic water permeabilityof the cells. The cAMP-induced translocation of AQP2 is facilitatedby PKA-mediated phosphorylation (Ser188) of the small GTP-bindingprotein RhoA, causing Rho inactivation and depolymerizationof F-actin (28). In some conditions, the V2R-mediated antidiureticactions of AVP may be balanced by the apical V1aR and CaR inthe principal cells (31,34,35). Binding of luminal AVP to V1aRstimulates phospholipase C (PLC), leading to inositol trisphosphatereceptor (IP3R)-mediated release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmicreticulum. In turn, increased [Ca2+]i activates phosphodiesterase-1(PDE1) and inhibits AC6, leading to decreased cAMP. However,activation of CaR by high luminal calcium concentrations leadsto (1) increased [Ca2+]ivia PLC and IP3R and (2) activationof protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphorylation of ERK1/2, followedby activation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), release of PGE2, andprostaglandin EP3 receptor (EP3R)-mediated activation of RhoA,resulting in F-actin formation and reduced insertion of AQP2into the apical plasma membrane (28,36,37). The stimulationof CaR may also activate PKC isoforms that mediate AQP2 endocytosis(34,38). Several abnormalities in these signaling pathways couldpotentially lead to the inappropriate water retention in thePkd1+/ mice, as discussed next.
Figure 8. Model for the effects of PKD1 haploinsufficiency on AVP signaling and AQP2 trafficking in the PC of CD. Representation of a typical PC of the CD showing the influence of [Ca2+]i levels and various signaling pathways on the trafficking of AQP2 and the modifications in Pkd1+/ mice. In the normal state, the binding of AVP to the basolateral V2R activates adenylyl cyclase 6 (AC6), resulting in cAMP-dependent activation of protein kinase A (PKA) and phosphorylation of AQP2 (Ser256) and its insertion into the apical membrane. The process is facilitated by PKA-mediated phosphorylation of RhoA (Ser188), which inactivates RhoA and causes the depolymerization of F-actin. The V2R-mediated effects of AVP could be balanced by the apical vasopressin-1a (V1aR) and calcium-sensing (CaR) receptors. Luminal AVP activates V1aR, which increases [Ca2+]ivia phospholipase C (PLC) and inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R). In turn, the increased Ca2+ activates phosphodiesterase-1 (PDE1) and inhibits AC6, leading to decreased cAMP. High extracellular, urinary Ca2+ levels can activate CaR, leading to (1) increased [Ca2+]ivia PLC and IP3R and (2) activation of PKC and dual phosphorylation of ERK1/2 via PLC and diacylglycerol (DAG), leading to activation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and release of PGE2, activation of prostaglandin EP3 receptor, and downstream activation of RhoA with subsequent F-actin formation, which reduces the insertion of AQP2 into the apical plasma membrane. The polycystin-1 and -2 interact in the primary cilium located in the apical plasma membrane of CD cells. In response to luminal flow, the polycystin-1/2 complex regulates [Ca2+]i by mediating a Ca2+ entry into the cell, which releases Ca2+ stores via the ryanodine receptors (RyR) on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The haploinsufficient Pkd1 state is characterized by the increased recruitment of AQP2 into the apical plasma membrane, reflecting decreased [Ca2+]i, decreased ERK-PLA2 activity, increased PKA-mediated phosphorylation of AQP2 and RhoA, and decreased activity of RhoA. The decreased [Ca2+]i may also result in increased efficiency of the cAMP-mediated signaling in microdomains of the cell. These events increase the efficiency of V2R-mediated signaling, leading to the recruitment of AQP2 in the apical plasma membrane and inappropriate reabsorption of water by the PC. The large arrows indicate the changes that were documented in Pkd1+/ mice. The increased urinary concentrations of calcium and AVP are between parentheses because there is no evidence of stimulated apical receptors. Adapted from references (31,3436).
First, there is a consistent and highly significant decreasein [Ca2+]i levels in isolated CD from Pkd1+/ mice. Itis increasingly recognized that the functional interaction betweenpolycystins 1 and 2 in primary cilia plays an important rolein luminal flow sensing and regulation of [Ca2+]i homeostasisin response to mechanosensation in tubular cells (11,3941).Several lines of evidence suggest that disruption of the polycystinspathway leads to reduced [Ca2+]i. For instance, decreased resting[Ca2+]i levels have been observed in cultured cells that werederived from human ADPKD cysts (42) and vascular smooth musclecells from heterozygous Pkd2+/ mice (43). A significantdecrease in [Ca2+]i was also observed in vascular smooth musclecells from the Pkd1+/ mice that were used in this study(32). By analogy, the lower [Ca2+]i levels in IMCD that wereisolated from Pkd1+/ mice could reflect the reduced Pkd1dosage. Alternatively, the lower [Ca2+]i may reflect a decreasedactivity of the apical V1aR and/or CaR signaling (31,34,35).However, the Pkd1+/ mice showed significantly higherurinary concentration of calcium and AVP, with unchanged expressionof both V1aR and CaR in the kidney.
Second, we documented an increased p-AQP2 and recruitment ofAQP2 in the apical plasma membrane of CD cells and increasedp-RhoA coupled to decreased activity of RhoA in the Pkd1+/kidneys. These data suggest that inactivation of RhoA, causingthe depolymerization of F-actin, facilitates the AVP-elicitedinsertion of AQP2 into the apical plasma membrane of the Pkd1+/mice. Several factors could contribute to these modifications,including the decreased [Ca2+]i; the increased PKA-mediatedphosphorylation of AQP2 and RhoA (28); and the less active ERK-PLA2pathway, as indicated by the lower p-ERK1/2 over total ERK1/2ratio and a trend for lower urinary PGE2 excretion (28,36).These modifications of the ERK pathway are different from observationsin cultured renal cells. Yamaguchi et al. (44) showed that thecAMP-dependent proliferation of cultured human ADPKD cyst-liningcells is mediated through phosphorylation/activation of ERK.By contrast, cAMP inhibits ERK activity and slows proliferationin normal epithelial cells from human kidney cortex. However,when immortalized mouse M1 cortical CD cells were treated withcalcium channel blockers or EGTA to lower [Ca2+]i, the cellsconverted to a cystic-like phenotype, with cAMP-dependent activationof ERK and proliferation. Of note, lowering [Ca2+]i alone (asituation that is similar to that observed in Pkd1+/kidneys) was not sufficient to activate ERK and proliferationin these cells (45). Many elements contribute to the differencesbetween the native, noncystic Pkd1+/ kidneys and culturedcells, including time course and magnitude of [Ca2+]i modifications,residual levels of polycystin-1, and adaptation mechanisms,yet the lower [Ca2+]i levels that were observed in the Pkd1+/CD cells may represent an intermediate state, in which a furtherloss of polycystin-1 or changes in cAMP levels may lead to aproliferative or cystic phenotype. Conversely, a low [Ca2+]icould decrease the activity of Ca2+-dependent protein phosphatasesand calcineurin-A and , resulting in higher levels of phosphorylatedAQP2 and a reduced recycling from the apical plasma membrane(46).
Third, the apical V1aR and CaR pathways seem to be inactivein Pkd1+/ mice, as evidenced by lower [Ca2+]i in isolatedCD, decreased activity of the ERK-PLA2 pathway, and decreasedRhoA activity. As discussed, the apical CaR may sense urinarycalcium levels and influence AQP2 targeting to adjust waterhomeostasis. The experiments of Sands et al. (38), performedon isolated rat IMCD, showed that increasing luminal calciumfrom 1 to 5 mM causes a 30% decrease in the AVP-elicited osmoticwater permeability but no change in the basal permeability.Similar calcium concentrations were used to show the link betweenCaR activation and AQP2 trafficking in cultured cells (34).These calcium concentrations are 100-fold higher than thoseobserved in Pkd1+/ mice (50 µM, only 1.5-fold higherthan in WT mice). A significant polyuria has also been observedin hypercalciuric mouse models in vivo. For instance, the diuresisis increased two-fold in the Trpv5-null mice, characterizedby very high calciuresis (averaging 250 µmol/24 h, six-foldhigher than in WT littermates) (47). Again, these conditionsare very distinct from the Pkd1+/ mice, which have noreal hypercalciuria (average 20 µmol/24 h). Regardingthe luminal V1a receptors, their antagonistic action has beendemonstrated only in rabbit CD, with no evidence in rat or mousekidney (31). Therefore, the increased luminal concentrationsof calcium and AVP in Pkd1+/ mice versus WT probablyhave limited biologic relevance.
Fourth, the unchanged cAMP levels in kidney and urine and thestable expression of AQP2 and V2R mRNA expression in the kidneyof Pkd1+/ mice argue against a direct role of chronicallyincreased cAMP levels in this model. Furthermore, the mRNA levelof targets of the V2R signaling pathway (including urea transporter1 and the subunit of epithelial sodium channel) were similarin Pkd1+/+ and Pkd1+/ mice. These data contrast withthe elevation of cAMP, paralleled by the upregulation of AQP2and V2R mRNA that was observed in other PKD mouse models (8,9).However, all of these models show renal cysts, with a positivecorrelation between cAMP level and the magnitude of cystic changes,suggesting a causal link between the two (10). Although we didnot detect an increase in cAMP in whole tissue, we cannot excludethat a lower [Ca2+]i could favor a local increase in cAMP bya dual effect on AC6 and phosphodiesterase E1 in the principalcells of the Pkd1+/ mice. Indeed, recent studies suggestedthat compartmentalization of cAMP signaling in microdomainsmay participate in the regulation of AQP2 trafficking (48).
Fifth, in addition to the aforementioned mechanisms, the traffickingof AQP2 in CD cells can be stimulated by cGMP via activationof NOS (49). The Pkd1+/ mice showed no difference inthe renal expression of eNOS and nNOS isoforms but a significantdecrease in the urinary excretion of NO metabolites. These data,which confirm previous reports of impaired NO synthesis in thismouse model (17) and patients with ADPKD (50,51), suggest thatthe cGMP-mediated cascade is probably not involved in the recruitmentof AQP2. Furthermore, the decreased [Ca2+]i in Pkd1+/CD could participate in the decreased renal NOS activity, becauseeNOS and nNOS both are Ca2+ dependent. Therefore, a reducedgeneration of NO could decrease the medullary blood flow, sensitizingthe Pkd1+/ mice to the sympathetic tone and contributingto the antidiuresis phenotype by a positive effect on medullaryhypertonicity. Another factor is medullary ET1, which antagonizesthe AVP-induced cAMP accumulation in CD cells and increasesmedullary blood flow in vivo (52). The ET1 action is mediatedby the ETB receptor, and it involves PLC, PLA2, and PKC, aswell as [Ca2+]i, NO, and PGE2. Mice that lack ET1 in the CDshow no abnormalities at baseline but a reduced ability to excreteurine during acute water loading (53). Together with the reduced[Ca2+]i and decreased NO production, the mild but significantdecrease in the mRNA expression of ET1 evidenced in Pkd1+/kidneys could thus contribute both to increased AVP signalingand to decreased medullary blood flow, leading to water retention.
The Pkd1+/ mice show a significant resistance to V2Rantagonism, despite similar distribution and affinity of theV2R and unchanged mRNA expression of AVP. This observation maybe relevant for the use of V2R antagonists in patients withADPKD, with the aim to interfere with the cystogenic effectof cAMP (11). In the sole orthologous model of ADPKD that hasbeen investigated thus far (Pkd2/tm1Som mouse), treatmentwith the V2R antagonist OPC31260 has not been associated withsignificant changes in urine output and osmolality, and a comparisonof its efficacy in WT and Pkd2 mice has not been reported (9).Of interest, it has been shown recently that a partial lossof Pkd2 attenuated the polyuria and increased the urine osmolalityin a mutant V2R mouse model of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus(54), suggesting that an alteration of the polycystin pathwaymay indeed cause water retention by CD principal cells. Anotherinteresting observation is that hyponatremia is frequently observedin neonates with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease(55).
Finally, it should be pointed out that the Pkd1+/ micethat were studied here represent a potentially interesting modelto investigate water handling in the CD. A new disease entity,the nephrogenic SIAD, has recently been attributed to activating(gain-of-function) missense mutations in AVPR2, the gene thatencodes V2R in humans (56). To the best of our knowledge, thereare no genetically modified mice with such an antidiuresis phenotypeat baseline. An impaired ability to lower urine osmolality andincrease urinary water excretion was recently reported in micethat lack the taurine transporter gene Taut (57), which couldplay a role in primary cilia (58). Thus, in addition to theinteractions between polycystins and calcium signaling pathways,the Pkd1+/ mice could give insights into the mechanismsthat govern osmoregulation, AVP signaling, and trafficking ofAQP2 in the CD.
These studies were supported in part by the Fonds National dela Recherche Scientifique, the Fonds de la Recherche ScientifiqueMédicale, an Action de Recherche Concertée (ARC05/10-328), an IAP VI, and the EuReGene integrated project (FP6).
Some of these data were presented during the 39th annual meetingof the American Society of Nephrology; November 16 through 19,2006; San Diego, CA; and published in abstract form (J Am SocNephrol 17: 513A, 2006).
We are grateful to V. Beaujean, Y. Cnops, H. Debaix, F. Jouret,K. Parreira, and L. Wenderickx for excellent assistance andProfs. L. Bankir, D. Bichet, L. Guay-Woodford, J.-C. Henquin,N. Morel, Y. Pirson, A. Robert, R. Sandford, P. Steels, V. Torres,E. Van Kerkhove, and Dr. I. Smets for helpful discussions. Wethank Sanofi-Aventis for providing SR121463B.
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