The role of metabolic acidosis in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the direct effects of acid loading on the proliferation of rat glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) in vitro and the possible role of sodium-hydrogen ion exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1). Rat GMCs were treated with acidic medium as acid loading. Growth and proliferation of GMCs was studied by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, thymidine (H-3-TdR) incorporation, and flow cytometry. NHE1 protein expression and activity were quantified by Western blot and dual wavelength epifluorescent illumination with 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, respectively. 5-(N,N-dimethyl) amiloride hydrochloride (DMA), a specific inhibitor of NHE1, was used to investigate the possible involvement of NHE1 in the proliferation of GMCs. The MTT assay, H-3-TdR incorporation, and cell cycle distribution analysis indicated that acid loading stimulated the proliferation of GMCs. Acid loading increased NHE1 activity, but had no effects on NHE1 expression at the protein level. The effects of acid loading on the proliferation of GMCs were inhibited by DMA. Acid loading induced GMC proliferation through NHE1-dependent pathways. Our findings may contribute to the understanding of metabolic acidosis in the progression of CKD.
[1]Tongji Univ, Sch Med, Dept Pathophysiol, Inst Digest Dis, Shanghai 200092, Peoples R China.
[2]Fudan Univ, Div Nephrol, Huashan Hosp, Shanghai 200040, Peoples R China.
[3]Jiao Tong Univ, Dept Pathol, Peoples Hosp 9, Shanghai 200030, Peoples R China.
[4]Med Univ Lodz, Dept Biomol Chem, Fac Med, Lodz, Poland.
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