Extracellular ATP promotes cellular growth of glomerular mesangial cells mediated via phospholipase C.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether extracellular ATP promotes cellular growth of glomerular mesangial cells. ATP increased inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) production and cellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in a dose-dependent manner. None of ADP, AMP or adenosine caused an increase in IP3 production or [Ca2+]i mobilization. Also, ATP activated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and 3H-thymidine incorporation and increased the absorbance by colorimetric assay in a dose-dependent manner. Again, either of ADP, AMP or adenosine had no effect. These results indicate that extracellular ATP binds to P2 purinergic receptors and activates phospholipase C in glomerular mesangial cells. Such a signal transduction promotes cellular growth of mesangium.