Publications

Extension of mesangial cells (MC) into the pericapillary space is a pathologic response seen in several forms of glomerulonephritis. This process may involve both cytoplasmic extension by MC and actual cellular migration. For investigation of whether extracellular matrix factors could modulate this process, the migratory responses of rat MC were quantitatively examined using a cell culture model. Denuding ("wounding") a portion of a confluent culture of MC was followed by migration of mesangial cells into the denuded area. The expected proliferative response to this treatment was blocked by irradiation. The migratory response began within 8 hours of wounding and continued for at least 80 hours. The MC migratory response was specifically inhibited in a dose-dependent and reversible manner by heparin and heparinlike glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Chondroitin sulfates and hyaluronic acid did not significantly inhibit MC migration. Glomerular basement membrane heparinlike GAGs may normally prevent MC extension into the pericapillary space. Changes in the density or composition of these substances during glomerular inflammatory processes could permit the development of MC pericapillary extensions and thereby lead to further alterations in basement membrane integrity.

The cell walls of gram-negative bacteria contain several biologically active components, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipoprotein, and protein 1. The effects of these individual components and a synthetic analog of lipoprotein, TPP, on several activation parameters of glomerular mesangial cells (MC) were examined. Prostaglandin secretion, synthesis of the autogrowth factor, mesangial interleukin-1 (IL-1), and new synthesis of cellular proteins were assessed as markers of MC activation. All bacterial cell wall components evaluated were active in varying degrees as stimulants of prostaglandin secretion. In general, PGE was the predominant product. TPP and protein 1 also induced substantial secretion of thromboxane. Each cell-wall component was effective in stimulating mesangial IL-1 secretion. The activation of MC was associated with the enhanced synthesis of many cellular proteins in addition to IL-1. Stimulation by these bacterial components was dependent on the state of the mesangial cell cycle, because nonproliferating cells did not respond to these factors. Activation of MC by gram-negative bacterial cell wall components, with release of vasoactive prostaglandins and peptide mitogens, may be responsible for some of the glomerular hemodynamic alterations and cellular proliferative events associated with sepsis or chronic bacterial infection.