Insulin receptor-related receptor expression in non-A intercalated cells in the kidney

Insulin receptor-related receptor (IRR) is a novel receptor tyrosine kinase in the insulin receptor family. Previous studies have demonstrated that the mammalian organ with the highest level of IRR mRNA is the kidney. By in situ hybridization, kidney expression of IRR transcript is only in the distal nephron and the collecting ducts; however, the specific cellular distribution of IRR is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine IRR protein expression in the adult mouse kidney using immunohistochemical techniques. IRR was specifically present in a subset of cells in the connecting tubule, the initial collecting tubule, and the cortical collecting duct. IRR protein is detected in cells that express vacuolar Hf-ATPase and carbonic anhydrase 2, but not in cells that express band 3 (anion exchanger 1). In the cortical collecting duct, the IRR positive cells are likely B intercalated cells. In the connecting tubule and the initial collecting tubule, the cells are B cells and/or non-A non-B cells. Thus, IRR is a specific marker for non-A intercalated cells in the kidney.