Mouse Renal Medullary Cell Line-mlMCD-3

The mouse renal medullary cell line mIMCD-3 is an inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cell line. The terminal one-third tubules of the IMCD were microdissected and placed in culture. Confluent cells were passaged and cloned using cloning cylinders. This is a polarized epithelial cell line that retains many differentiated characteristics of the terminal IMCD, including inhibition of apical-to-basolateral sodium flux by amiloride and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Through Western blot analysis, it was determined that the cells possess amiloride-sensitive sodium channels and accumulate major organic osmolytes (inositol, sorbitol, betaine, and glycerophosphocholine) in response to hyperosmotic stress. The cells secrete endothelin and form tubules with tight junctions. mIMCD-3 cells are sensitive to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and easily adapt to grow in hyperosmotic medium supplemented with NaCl and urea (up to 910 mosmol/kg H2O). These extreme osmotic conditions are present in the renal medulla in vivo but are known to be lethal to most other cells.