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An immunohistochemical study of developing glomeruli in human fetal kidneys
K Naruse1, M Fujieda, E Miyazaki
1First Department of Pathology and Department of Pediatrics, Kochi Medical School, Kochi, Japan. chip@i-kochi.or.jp
Kidney International
|May 3, 2000
Summary
During human kidney development, fetal mesangial and capillary endothelial cells change their immunohistochemical phenotypes, gradually losing fetal characteristics to acquire adult features before birth.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Developmental Biology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Mesenchymal cells in glomerulonephritis often re-express fetal phenotypes.
- Phenotypic changes in human mesangial and glomerular cells during glomerulogenesis are not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize fetal mesangial and glomerular capillary endothelial cells.
- To investigate their phenotypic alterations during human glomerulogenesis using immunohistochemistry.
Main Methods:
- Examined renal tissues from fetuses, neonates, children, and adults.
- Utilized immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy.
- Employed antibodies for cytoskeletons, contraction-associated proteins, and endothelial cell markers.
Main Results:
- Fetal mesangial cells aggregated and migrated within developing glomeruli.
- Perivascular mesenchymal cells acquired mesangial features and lost fetal markers.
- Fetal glomerular capillary endothelial cells (CD31+, CD34+) matured, losing CD34 expression while retaining CD31.
Conclusions:
- Fetal mesangial and capillary endothelial cells undergo significant phenotypic changes during human glomerulogenesis.
- These cells gradually lose fetal immunohistochemical markers as they mature.
- Mesangial cells attain adult phenotypes in most glomeruli by the late maturation stage, prior to birth.