Role of Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells and Fibroblasts in the Synthesis of Hyaluronan during Peritoneal Dialysis

Abstract

Objective To assess the in vitro synthesis rate of hyaluronan (HA) by human peritoneal mesothelial cells and peritoneal fibroblasts in the presence of effluent dialysate from continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Methods We used primary cultures of human peritoneal mesothelial cells and peritoneal fibroblasts from nonuremic patients to study the effect of interleukin-1 β (11–1 β) and pooled effluent dialysate, from noninfected and infected CAPD patients, on the synthesis of HA by the studied cells. We also tested the effect of the exogenous HA on the synthesis rate of that glycosaminoglycan. We studied the correlation between HA concentration in effluent dialysate and the stimulatory effect of that solution on in vitro synthesis of HA by mesothelium. Results Peritoneal fibroblasts produce more HA than mesothelial cells. Noninfected effluent dialysates or dialysates from CAPD patients with peritonitis stimulate synthesis of HA by mesothelial cells and fibroblasts. Interleukin-1 β has a stimulating effect, which was synergistic with effluent dialysates, on the synthesis of HA by mesothelium and peritoneal fibroblasts. A weak correlation was demonstrated between the level of HA in effluent dialysate and the stimulatory effect of that dialysate on in vitro synthesis of HA by mesothelial cells. Conclusions Peritoneal fibroblasts are a more potent source of HA than are mesothelial cells, but probably the latter are the main source of HA in drained dialysate. Although effluent dialysates contain factors that stimulate the production of HA by mesothelium, there is weak correlation between that stimulatory effect and the actual HA concentration in the dialysate, which, in some patients, might suggest low “responsiveness” of the membrane.