Osmolality as a major regulator of the transcriptome and metabolome in kidney collecting duct cells

We hypothesized that altered extracellular osmolality per se could affect the transcriptome of the kidney inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells, and hence it might change renal tubular function. The data sets of transcriptomics were incorporated into the "omic" data sets of metabolomics. Primary cultured IMCD cells of rat kidney were grown in hyperosmolar culture medium (640 mOsm/KgH2O) for 4 d, and then the cells were cultured in the medium with either reduced (300 mOsm/KgH2O) or the same osmolality for 1 or 2 d more.