Proximal tubular cells (PTC) were isolated from porcine kidney by collagenase treatment, subsequently purified on a discontinuous density gradient and finally cultured. Porcine PTC (PPTC) in primary culture expressed keratin, characteristics of epithelia and brush border specific glycoproteins (FX1A). In addition, vimentin was present. All cells were negative for the endothelial marker pal-E. Less than 0.1% expressed the Tamm-Horsfall protein, characteristic of the distal tubule, while less than 0.3% of all cells in culture expressed desmin, characteristic of connective tissue (i.e. fibroblasts) and mesangial cells. Ultrastructural analysis revealed microvilli, tight junctions and abundant mitochondrial and lysosomes, all characteristics of proximal tubular cells. Freshly isolated PPTC were validated as in vitro model to detect nephrotoxicity by studying the effect of mercuric chloride, cis-platin, p-aminophenol and the halogenated alkenes 1,2 dichlorovinyl-l-cysteine, S-(1,1-difluoro-2,2-dichloroethyl)-L-cysteine (DCDFE-cys) and the glutathione conjugate of DCDFE on viability and mitochondrial membrane potential. The cells responded, time- and dose-dependently, to the nephrotoxic compounds with a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and loss of viability. The sensitivity of the porcine cells in detecting toxic effects corresponded favorably with in vitro systems derived from other animals.