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Hematopoietic origin of glomerular mesangial cells
Masahiro Masuya1, Christopher J Drake, Paul A Fleming
1Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
Blood
|November 16, 2002
Summary
Hematopoietic stem cells can differentiate into glomerular mesangial cells. This study shows a single stem cell can reconstitute kidney mesangial cells without cell fusion, advancing regenerative medicine.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Hematology
Background:
- Crude bone marrow cells can differentiate into glomerular mesangial cells.
- The specific cell type responsible for this differentiation was previously unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that hematopoietic stem cells can reconstitute mesangial cells.
- To identify the specific bone marrow stem cell capable of mesangial cell differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Cultured Lin(-), Sca-1(+), c-kit(+), CD34(-) bone marrow cells from enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) mice.
- Transplanted individual clones into lethally irradiated recipient mice.
- Examined kidneys using microscopy and confirmed cell origin via Y-chromosome analysis in male-to-male transplants.
Main Results:
- EGFP(+) cells with mesangial cell morphology were found in glomeruli of recipient mice.
- Transplantation of even a small number of uncultured stem cells generated mesangial cells.
- EGFP(+) mesangial cells contracted in response to angiotensin II, confirming functional characteristics.
Conclusions:
- A single hematopoietic stem cell can differentiate into glomerular mesangial cells.
- This differentiation process does not involve cell fusion.
- Identifies hematopoietic stem cells as the source for mesangial cell regeneration.