Transcriptomes of Major Proximal-Tubule Cell-Culture Models

Results and conclusion: Transcripts expressed in cell lines showed variable match to transcripts selectively expressed in native proximal tubule. Opossum kidney (OK) cells displayed the highest percentage match (45%) with pig kidney cells (LLC-PK1) close behind (39%). Much lower percentage matches were seen for various human lines including HK-2 cells (26%) and lines from rodent kidneys (18-23%).An online resource (https://esbl.nhlbi.nih.gov/JBrowse/KCT/) has been created for interrogation of the data.No cell line closely matched the transcriptome of native proximal tubule cells. However, some of the lines tested are suitable for the study of particular metabolic and transport processes seen in the proximal tubule.