Renal mesangial cells are perivascular cells located within the central portion of the glomerular tuft between capillary loops, constituting 30-40% of the total glomerular cell population [1]. They regulate the intraglomerular capillary flow and ultrafiltration surface via mesangial cell contraction and release of growth factors and vasoactive agents [2]. By pinocytosis and phagocytosis, mesangial cells remove local accumulation of macromolecules in the mesangial space [3]. Mesangial cells also synthesize, assemble and control turnover of the mesangial matrix. Overproduction of mesangial cells has been observed in various glomerular diseases, such as IgA nephropathy, mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis, glomerulosclerosis and diabetic nephropathy [4]. Such critical involvements suggest renal mesangial cells are an ideal model for studying mesangial injury and glomerular functions under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

RRMC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from postnatal day 2 CD® IGS rat kidney. RRMC are cryopreserved at passage one and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 105 cells in 1 ml volume. RRMC are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibodies specific to fibronectin, Thy-1, and smooth muscle actin. RRMC are negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. RRMC are guaranteed to further expand for 5 population doublings under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

Recommended Medium

It is recommended to use Mesangial Cell Medium (MCM, Cat. #4201) for culturing RRMC in vitro.