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Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease
Published on: June 30, 2018
Math6 expression during kidney development and altered expression in a mouse model of glomerulosclerosis
Michael D Ross1, Scott Martinka, Amitava Mukherjee
1Department of Medicine and Rammelkamp Center for Education and Research, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Summary
Math6, a transcription factor, is crucial for kidney development and podocyte differentiation. Its reduced expression correlates with podocyte dedifferentiation in human immunodeficiency virus-associated nephropathy (HIVAN).
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Math6 is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor involved in cell lineage specification.
- Podocytes are specialized kidney cells critical for filtration, and their dysfunction leads to kidney disease.
- Human immunodeficiency virus-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) is a collapsing glomerulopathy characterized by podocyte injury and dedifferentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Math6 in kidney development and podocyte differentiation.
- To determine Math6 expression patterns during kidney development.
- To assess Math6 expression in the context of HIVAN.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Math6 expression during embryonic kidney development.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of Math6 expression in adult kidney and podocyte cell lines.
- Evaluation of Math6 expression in a transgenic mouse model of HIVAN.
Main Results:
- Math6 is expressed in the metanephric mesenchyme and developing glomeruli during kidney development.
- In adult kidneys, Math6 expression is restricted to podocytes.
- Math6 expression is down-regulated in podocytes in HIVAN, correlating with reduced Nephrin and Synaptopodin expression.
Conclusions:
- Math6 plays a role in kidney development.
- Math6 expression is specific to podocytes in the adult kidney.
- Reduced Math6 expression is associated with podocyte dedifferentiation in HIVAN and may be a permissive factor for podocyte differentiation.
