Prostaglandin synthesis by rat glomerular mesangial cells in culture. Effects of angiotensin II and arginine vasopressin.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and angiotensin II (ANG II) reduce the glomerular filtration rate and ultrafiltration coefficient. Vasodilatory prostaglandins (PG) antagonize these effects. AVP and ANG II also cause mesangial cell contraction. Therefore, possible PG stimulation by these peptides and two vasopressin analogues was studied in cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells. The effect of altered calcium availability on PG production was also studied. Glomeruli from 75-100-g Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured in supplemented nutrient media for 28 d and experiments were performed on the first passage. Mesangial cell morphology was confirmed by electron microscopy. Cells produced PGE2 much greater than PGF2 alpha greater than 6-keto-PGF1 alpha greater than thromboxane B2 when incubated with the divalent cation ionophore, A23187, or arachidonic acid (C20:4). ANG II and AVP selectively stimulated PGE2 at threshold concentrations of 10 nM ANG II and 100 pM of AVP. The effects of the antidiuretic analogue 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (dDAVP) and the antipressor analogue [1-(beta-mercapto-beta beta-cyclopentamethylene propionic acid)-4-valine, 8-D-arginine]-vasopressin (d[CH2]5VDAVP), were studied. Neither compound stimulated PGE2 and preincubation with d(CH2)5VDAVP abolished, and dDAVP blunted, AVP-enhanced PGE2 production. Incubation in verapamil, nifedipine, or zero calcium media blocked peptide-stimulated PGE2 production. Increasing extracellular calcium or adding A23187 increased PGE2 synthesis. Selective stimulation of PGE2 by ANG II or AVP in mesangial cells suggests a hormone-sensitive phospholipase and a coupled cyclooxygenase capable of synthesizing only PGE2. Since neither vasopressin analogue stimulated PGE2, but both blocked AVP-enhanced PGE2 production, we conclude that these cells respond to the pressor activity of AVP. This is a calcium-dependent process. Selective stimulation of PGE2 by ANG II and AVP may modulate their contractile effects on the glomerulus.