Endothelin B receptor-like immunoreactivity in podocytes of the rat kidney.

The distribution of endothelin B receptor (ETBR)-like immunoreactivity in the rat renal glomerulus was investigated using an affinity-purified antibody against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the amino acid residues 425-439 of the rat ETBR. Light microscopy showed ETBR-like immunoreactivity to be localized predominantly near the glomerular blood capillaries. By immunoelectron microscopy using the pre-embedding method, intense immunodeposits indicating ETBR were detected in podocytes, particularly in their foot processes, in contrast with the weak immunoreaction in endothelial cells of the glomerular blood capillaries and in the mesangial cells. In sections stained with the post-embedding method using immunogold particles, positive signals were also found on the plasma membrane of podocyte foot processes as well as the cytoplasm just beneath the cell membrane. These findings suggest that endothelin stimulates ETBR mainly on podocytes, thus resulting in a decrease of the glomerular blood flow and glomerular filtration rates.