Effects of Tolvaptan on Mechanosensory Primary Cilia

Primary cilia are non‐motile sensory extensions present in a variety of cells. Over the past decades, studies have shown to associate the pathology of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) to defective in mechanosensory primary cilia (ciliopathy). We have previously shown that improving cilia length can enhance mechanosensory cilia function, which we termed “ciliotherapy”. Because tolvaptan is seen to be a potential therapy in PKD, we tested the hypothesis that tolvaptan can alter cilia length or function. In the present study, mouse and porcine renal tubule cells were grown to confluent monolayer. Once differentiated, tolvaptan was added to culture plates to achieve desired concentrations. Cilia length and function were measured with standard microscopy techniques using acetylated‐α‐tubulin and Fura‐2AM, respectively. Tolvaptan at 0.1 μM optimally increased cilia length and function. Cell cycle analysis showed no significant differences between control and tolvaptan treated cells. In summary, our studies indicate that tolvaptan may have a positive therapeutic effect on cilia function. Support or Funding Information Department of Defense (PR130153)