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Dissection and Culture of Mouse Embryonic Kidney
Published on: May 17, 2017
The expression of EPOR in renal cortex during postnatal development
Lu Xiao1, Zhanyong Li, Pengjuan Xu
1College of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
Plos One
|July 31, 2012
Summary
Erythropoietin (EPO) acts as a growth factor in the kidney. Its receptor (EPOR) expression changes during renal cortex development, suggesting EPO is vital for kidney maturation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Erythropoietin (EPO) is a key growth factor for erythroid differentiation, brain, and heart development.
- EPO is synthesized in the renal cortex, hinting at a potential role in kidney development.
- The EPO receptor (EPOR) mediates EPO's function, and its expression dynamics are crucial for understanding EPO's renotropic activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of EPO in renal cortex development.
- To examine the expression patterns of the EPO receptor (EPOR) during postnatal kidney development.
- To understand the relationship between EPOR changes and renal cortex maturation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a mouse model spanning various postnatal developmental stages (P0 to mature mice >56 days).
- Employed immunohistochemistry and Western blotting to detect EPOR expression in the developing mouse renal cortex.
- Analyzed EPOR expression levels in renal tubules and corpuscles across different developmental time points.
Main Results:
- EPOR expression decreased as the renal cortex developed, stabilizing in mature kidneys.
- EPOR was consistently found in renal tubules, with peak expression at postnatal day 14 (P14).
- EPOR was transiently detected in the renal corpuscle at P7, diminishing thereafter, suggesting a possible translocation.
Conclusions:
- EPO is likely essential for renal cortex maturation, with its requirement changing during postnatal development.
- The observed changes in EPOR expression and localization suggest a dynamic role for EPO in kidney development.
- A potential translocation of EPOR from the renal corpuscle to the renal tubule occurs during renal cortex development.
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