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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
08:53
Analysis of Nephron Composition and Function in the Adult Zebrafish Kidney
Published on: August 9, 2014
Nestin expression in adult and developing human kidney
Eugenio Bertelli1, Marì Regoli, Luciano Fonzi
1Dept. of Pharmacology Giorgio Segre, Section of Anatomy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 4, I-53100 Siena, Italy. bertelli5@unisi.it
Summary
Nestin, a marker for precursor cells, is found in human kidney cells, including podocytes, mesangial, and endothelial cells during development. In mature kidneys, nestin expression is primarily in podocytes and linked to cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5).
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Nestin is a known marker for neurogenic and myogenic precursor cells.
- Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) regulates nestin and is expressed in murine podocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate nestin expression in human adult and fetal kidneys.
- To determine the presence of CDK5 in adult human podocytes.
Main Methods:
- Confocal microscopy using antibodies for nestin, vimentin, CD31, CDK5, alpha-smooth muscle actin.
- Western blotting of cytoskeletal fractions.
- Co-immunoprecipitation of nestin with anti-CDK5 antibodies.
Main Results:
- Adult human glomeruli show nestin in vimentin-positive podocytes, co-localizing with CDK5.
- Nestin is present in immature podocytes, endothelial cells, and early mesangial cells during kidney development.
- Endothelial cells in developing capillaries and immature glomeruli are nestin-positive.
Conclusions:
- Nestin is expressed in human kidney cells, including podocytes, mesangial, and endothelial cells, from early glomerulogenesis.
- In mature glomeruli, nestin expression is mainly in podocytes and associated with CDK5.
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