Antidiuretic Action of Collecting Duct (Pro)Renin Receptor Downstream of Vasopressin and PGE ₂ Receptor EP ₄

Abstract

Within the kidney, the (pro)renin receptor (PRR) is predominantly expressed in the collecting duct (CD), particularly in intercalated cells, and it is regulated by the PGE ₂ receptor EP ₄. Notably, EP ₄ also controls urinary concentration through regulation of aquaporin 2 (AQP2). Here, we tested the hypothesis that sequential activation of EP ₄ and PRR determines AQP2 expression in the CD, thus mediating the antidiuretic action of vasopressin (AVP). Water deprivation (WD) elevated renal PRR expression and urinary soluble PRR excretion in rats. Intrarenal infusion of a PRR decoy peptide, PRO20, or an EP ₄ antagonist partially prevented the decrease in urine volume and the increase in urine osmolality and AQP2 expression induced by 48-hour WD. In primary cultures of rat inner medullary CD cells, AQP2 expression induced by AVP treatment for 24 hours depended on sequential activation of the EP ₄ receptor and PRR. Additionally, mice lacking PRR in the CD exhibited increased urine volume and decreased urine osmolality under basal conditions and impaired urine concentrating capability accompanied by severe volume loss and a dangerous level of plasma hyperosmolality after WD. Together, these results suggest a previously undescribed linear AVP/PGE ₂/EP ₄/PRR pathway in the CD for regulation of AQP2 expression and urine concentrating capability.