Green fluorescent protein absorption and accumulation in the cells of renal proximal tubules after its increased entry into circulation

Abstract

The uptake of green fluorescent protein (GFP) by the proximal renal tubules was studied in the anaesthetized rats using laser confocal microscopy after GFP intravenous injection or administration into the small intestine lumen. The specific green fluorescence revealed in the proximal tubule cells after intravenous injection correlated with the logarithm of GFP dose injected intravenously (r=0.96, p<0.05). GFP fluorescence after its intravenous injection was higher than that one after GFP infusion into the small intestine (p<0.05). Following the increase of injected GFP dose, the epitheliocyte cytoplasm, in addition to diffuse fluorescence, demonstrated large intensely fluorescent vesicles, that was confirmed by a graphical analysis. The reported changes in the intensity and pattern of specific fluorescence indicate the enhancement of GFP absorption by the cells of proximal tubules and GFP accumulation in the intracellular compartments during its increased entry into circulation.

Keywords

kidney / proximal tubule / small intestine / green fluorescent protein (GFP) / confocal microscopy

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