Nephron

Abstract: The kidney has been widely exploited as a model system for the study of tissue inductions regulating vertebrate organogenesis. Kidney development is initiated by the ingrowth of the Wolfian duct-derived ureteric bud into the presumptive kidney mesenchyme. In response to a signal from the ureter, mesenchymal cells condense, aggregate into pretubular clusters and undergo an epithelial conversion generating a simple tubule. This then undergoes morphogenesis and is transformed into the excretory system of the kidney, the nephron. We report here that the expression of Wnt-4, which encodes a secreted glycoprotein, correlates with, and is required for, kidney tubulogenesis. Mice lacking Wnt-4 activity fail to form pretubular cell aggregates; however, other aspects of mesenchymal and ureteric development are unaffected. Thus, Wnt-4 appears to act as an autoinducer of the mesenchyme to epithelial transition that underlies nephron development.

Abstract: Concentrating urine is mandatory for most mammals to prevent water loss from the body. Concentrated urine is produced in response to vasopressin by the transepithelial recovery of water from the lumen of the kidney collecting tubule through highly water-permeable membranes. In this nephron segment, vasopressin regulates water permeability by endo- and exocytosis of water channels from or to the apical membrane. CHIP28 is a water channel in red blood cells and the kidney proximal tubule, but it is not expressed in the collecting tubule. Here we report the cloning of the complementary DNA for WCH-CD, a water channel of the apical membrane of the kidney collecting tubule. WCH-CD is 42% identical in amino-acid sequence to CHIP28. WCH-CD transcripts are detected only in the collecting tubule of the kidney. Immunohistochemically, WCH-CD is localized to the apical region of the kidney collecting tubule cells. Expression of WCH-CD in Xenopus oocytes markedly increases osmotic water permeability. The functional expression and the limited localization of WCH-CD to the apical region of the kidney collecting tubule suggest that WCH-CD is the vasopressin-regulated water channel.

Abstract: Micropuncture and morphologic studies were performed in four groups of male Munich-Wistar rats after removal of the right kidney and segmental infarction of two-thirds of the left kidney. Groups 1 and 3 received no specific therapy. Groups 2 and 4 were treated with the angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril, 50 mg/liter of which was put in their drinking water. All rats were fed standard chow. Groups 1 and 2 underwent micropuncture study 4 wk after renal ablation. Untreated group 1 rats exhibited systemic hypertension and elevation of the single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) due to high average values for the mean glomerular transcapillary hydraulic pressure difference and glomerular plasma flow rate. In group 2 rats, treatment with enalapril prevented systemic hypertension and maintained the mean glomerular transcapillary hydraulic pressure gradient at near-normal levels without significantly compromising SNGFR and the glomerular capillary plasma flow rate, as compared with untreated group 1 rats. Groups 3 and 4 were studied 8 wk after renal ablation. Untreated group 3 rats demonstrated persistent systemic hypertension, progressive proteinuria, and glomerular structural lesions, including mesangial expansion and segmental sclerosis. In group 4 rats, treatment with enalapril maintained systemic blood pressure at normal levels over the 8-wk period and significantly limited the development of proteinuria and glomerular lesions. These studies suggest that control of glomerular hypertension effectively limits glomerular injury in rats with renal ablation, and further support the view that glomerular hemodynamic changes mediate progressive renal injury when nephron number is reduced.