Localization of IP in rabbit kidney and functional role of the PGI2/IP system in cortical collecting duct

Abstract

To clarify the role of the PGI2/PGI2 receptor (IP) system in rabbit cortical collecting duct (RCCD), we characterized the expression of IP receptors in the rabbit kidney. We show by Northern and Western blotting that IP mRNA and protein was detectable in all three regions of the kidney. To determine how PGI2 signals, we compared the effects of different PGI2 analogs [iloprost (ILP), carba-prostacyclin (c-PGI2), and cicaprost (CCP)] in the isolated perfused RCCD. PGI2 analogs did not increase water flow ( L p). Although PGI2 analogs did not reduce an established L p response to 8-chlorophenylthio-cAMP, they equipotently inhibited AVP-stimulated L p by 45%. The inhibitory effect of ILP and c-PGI2 on AVP-stimulated L p is partially reversed by the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine and abolished by pertussis toxin; no effect was obtained with CCP. In fura 2-loaded RCCD, CCP did not alter cytosolic Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i), but, in the presence of CCP, individual infusion of ILP and PGE2 increased [Ca2+]i, suggesting that CCP did not cause desensitization to either ILP or PGE2. We concluded that ILP and c-PGI2 activate PKC and the liberation of [Ca2+]i but not CCP. This suggested an important role for phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis in mediating ILP and c-PGI2 effects but not CCP in RCCD.