Establishment and characterization of a novel conditionally immortalized human parietal epithelial cell line

• Published in: Experimental cell research 2021-08, Vol.405 (2), p.112712-112712, Article 112712
• Main Authors: Miesen, Laura, Wetzels, Roy, Eymael, Jennifer, Mooren, Fieke, Villacorta Monge, Valerie, van den Berge, Bartholomeus T., van den Broek, Martijn, van der Velden, Thea J.A.M., van den Heuvel, Lambertus P.W.J., Wetzels, Jack F.M., Schreuder, Michiel F., van der Vlag, Johan, Jansen, Jitske, Smeets, Bart
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; ANIMAL TISSUES; Cell isolation; Conditionally immortalized human PEC line; DISEASES; Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis; GLOMERULI; Human kidney tissue; IN VITRO; IN VIVO; INFANTS; MORPHOLOGY; Parietal epithelial cells
• ISSN: 0014-4827; 1090-2422
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112712

Parietal epithelial cells (PECs) are epithelial cells in the kidney, surrounding Bowman's space. When activated, PECs increase in cell volume, proliferate, migrate to the glomerular tuft and excrete extracellular matrix. Activated PECs are crucially involved in the formation of sclerotic lesions, seen in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). In FSGS, a number of glomeruli show segmental sclerotic lesions. Further disease progression will lead to increasing number of involved glomeruli and gradual destruction of the affected glomeruli. Although the involvement of PECs in FSGS has been acknowledged, little is known about the molecular processes driving PEC activation. To get more insights in this process, accurate in vivo and in vitro models are needed. Here, we describe the development and characterization of a novel conditionally immortalized human PEC (ciPEC) line. We demonstrated that ciPECs are differentiated when grown under growth-restrictive conditions and express important PEC-specific markers, while lacking podocyte and endothelial markers. In addition, ciPECs showed PEC-like morphology and responded to IL-1β treatment. We therefore conclude that we have successfully generated a novel PEC line, which can be used for future studies on the role of PECs in FSGS. •A novel conditionally immortalized human parietal epithelial cell (ciPEC) line was created.•ciPECs were isolated out of fresh human kidney tissue from an infant.•ciPECs show specific PEC characteristics.•ciPECs show no or little podocyte and glomerular endothelial cell marker expression.•ciPECs can be activated by IL-1β treatment.