Regulation of CFTR Expression and Arginine Vasopressin Activity Are Dependent on Polycystin-1 in Kidney-Derived Cells.

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is characterized by the development of multiple, progressive, fluid-filled renal cysts that distort the renal parenchyma, leading to end-stage renal failure, mainly after the fifth decade of life. ADPKD is caused by a mutation in the PKD1 or PKD2 genes that encode polycystin-1 (PC-1) and polycystin-2 (PC-2), respectively. PC-1 is an important regulator of several signaling pathways and PC-2 is a nonselective calcium channel. The CFTR chloride channel is responsible for driving net fluid secretion into the cysts, promoting cyst growth. Arginine vasopressin hormone (AVP), in turn, is capable of increasing cystic intracellular cAMP, contributing to cell proliferation, transepithelial fluid secretion, and therefore to disease progression. The aim of this study was to assess if AVP can modulate CFTR and whether PC-1 plays a role in this potential modulation.

Methods: M1 cells, derived from mouse cortical collecting duct, were used in the current work. The cells were treated with 10-7 M AVP hormone and divided into two main groups: transfected cells superexpressing PC-1 (Transf) and cells not transfected (Ctrl). CFTR expression was assessed by immunodetection, CFTR mRNA levels were quantified by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and CFTR net ion transport was measured using the Ussing chamber technique.

Results: AVP treatment increased the levels of CFTR protein and mRNA. CFTR short-circuit currents were also increased. However, when PC-1 was overexpressed in M1 cells, no increase in any of these parameters was detected.

Conclusions: CFTR chloride channel expression is increased by AVP in M1 cells and PC-1 is capable of regulating this modulation.