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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

A Modified Two Kidney One Clip Mouse Model of Renin Regulation in Renal Artery Stenosis
Published on: October 26, 2020
Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade prevents decrease in adult stem-like cells in kidney after ureteral
Takeshi Marumo1, Keiichi Hishikawa, Yumi Matsuzaki
1Department of Clinical Renal Regeneration, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-8655 Tokyo, Japan. tmarumo-npr@umin.ac.jp
Valsartan preserves kidney stem cells during obstruction-induced injury. This angiotensin II receptor blocker may promote kidney regeneration by protecting adult stem-like side population cells.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Acute renal failure can be treated by infusing renal side population (SP) cells, which are enriched with adult stem-like cells.
- Ureteral obstruction causes renal injury and alters the number of renal SP cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of valsartan, an angiotensin II type 1 (AT(1)) receptor antagonist, on renal SP cell changes in a model of renal injury induced by ureteral obstruction.
Main Methods:
- Ureteral obstruction was induced in a rat model.
- Renal SP cell fraction and CD45 expression within SP cells were analyzed.
- The effects of valsartan treatment were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Ureteral obstruction reduced the renal SP cell fraction by 38%.
- CD45 expression, a marker of hematopoietic cells, increased in renal SP cells from obstructed kidneys.
- Valsartan treatment attenuated renal injury and normalized the observed changes in SP cell profiles.
Conclusions:
- Angiotensin AT(1) receptor blockade with valsartan may exert a regenerative effect on the kidney.
- This regenerative effect may be mediated by the preservation of adult stem-like cells, such as SP cells, in the kidney during injury.
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