RTI uses cookies to offer you the best experience online. By clicking “accept” on this website, you opt in and you agree to the use of cookies. If you would like to know more about how RTI uses cookies and how to manage them please view our Privacy Policy here. You can “opt out” or change your mind by visiting: http://optout.aboutads.info/. Click “accept” to agree.
Intracellular calcium increases in vascular smooth muscle cells with progression of chronic kidney disease in a rat model
Rodenbeck, S., Chad, Z., McKenney-Drake, M., Bruning, R., Sturek, M., Chen, N., & Moe, S. (2017). Intracellular calcium increases in vascular smooth muscle cells with progression of chronic kidney disease in a rat model. Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, 32(3), 450-458. https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfw274, https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfw274
Background: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) exhibit phenotypic plasticity, promoting vascular calcification and increasing cardiovascular risk. Changes in VSMC intracellular calcium ([Ca2+](i)) are a major determinant of plasticity, but little is known about changes in [Ca2+](i) in chronic kidney disease (CKD). We have previously demonstrated such plasticity in aortas fromour rat model of CKD and therefore sought to examine changes in [Ca2+](i) during CKD progression.
Materials and Methods: We examined freshly isolated VSMCs from aortas of normal rats, Cy/+ rats (CKD) with early and advanced CKD, and advanced CKD rats treated without and with 3% calcium gluconate (CKD + Ca2+) to lower parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. [Ca2+](i) was measured with fura-2.
Results: Cy/+ rats developed progressive CKD, as assessed by plasma levels of blood urea nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone and fibroblast growth factor 23. VSMCs isolated from rats with CKD demonstrated biphasic alterations in resting [Ca2+](i): VSMCs from rats with early CKD exhibited reduced resting [Ca2+](i), while VSMCs from rats with advanced CKD exhibited elevated resting [Ca2+](i). Caffeine-induced sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ store release was modestly increased in early CKD and was more drastically increased in advanced CKD. The advanced CKD elevation in SR Ca2+ store release was associated with a significant increase in the activity of the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA); however, SERCA2a protein expression was decreased in advanced CKD. Following SR Ca2+ store release, recovery of [Ca2+](i) in the presence of caffeine and extracellular Ca2+ was attenuated in VSMCs from rats with advanced CKD. This impairment, together with reductions in expression of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, suggest a reduction in Ca2+ extrusion capability. Finally, store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) was assessed following SR Ca2+ store depletion. Ca2+ entry during recovery from caffeine-induced SR Ca2+ store release was elevated in advanced CKD, suggesting a role for exacerbated SOCE with progressing CKD.
Conclusions: With progressive CKD in the Cy/+ rat there is increased resting [Ca2+] i in VSMCs due, in part, to increased SOCE and impaired calcium extrusion from the cell. Such changes may predispose VSMCs to phenotypic changes that are a prerequisite to calcification.
