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Published on: October 11, 2012
Ultrastructural observations of programmed cell death during metanephric development in mouse
Xiaoming Li1, Min Guo, Youzhi Shao
1Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medicine, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China. xiaomingli0@yahoo.com.cn
Abstract:
Previous studies revealed apoptosis as an only programmed cell death (PCD) during renal morphogenesis before alternative type of PCD, necroptosis were introduced. Evidences of non-apoptotic PCD during renal development were scarce and needed to be accumulated. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether non-apoptotic PCD is involved in and observe ultrastructural features of apoptotic cells or non-apoptotic PCD during metanephros development. For this purpose, light and transmission electron microscopy were used. The most significant finding to come out of this study was that necroptosis was observed during developing metanephros by electron microscopy. The results also provided another fact that apoptosis and necroptosis constituted the PCD during embryonic development of kidney in mouse. Compared to necroptosis, apoptosis was more predominantly evident throughout whole development period and in every compartment of metanephros except for proximal tubule. However, necroptosis was only exhibited in developing nephrons also except for proximal tubule. In addition, outcomes of PCD were related to morphogenetic features of metanephric development. Efferocytosis for apoptotic cell or bodies took place in each type cell and whole period of developing metanephros. Besides efferocytosis blood flow and urine flux were available to remove the corpses of PCD, especially PCD from developing nephrons. Our findings suggested that both apoptosis and necroptosis play important roles during nephrogenesis and observed three ways to clear the PCD cell: efferocytosis, blood flow, and urine flux.
Insights
This study reveals that both apoptosis and necroptosis (programmed cell death) occur during mouse kidney development. Necroptosis, a non-apoptotic cell death, was observed alongside apoptosis in developing nephrons.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Renal Physiology
Background:
- Apoptosis was historically considered the sole programmed cell death (PCD) during renal morphogenesis.
- Evidence for non-apoptotic PCD during kidney development was limited.
- Necroptosis, an alternative form of PCD, has been identified in various biological contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of non-apoptotic PCD during metanephros development.
- To characterize the ultrastructural features of apoptotic and non-apoptotic PCD in the developing kidney.
- To determine the roles of different PCD types in renal morphogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Light microscopy was employed to observe cellular structures.
- Transmission electron microscopy was utilized for ultrastructural analysis of PCD.
- Comparative analysis of apoptosis and necroptosis during metanephric development was performed.
Main Results:
- Necroptosis was identified during mouse metanephros development via electron microscopy.
- Both apoptosis and necroptosis were found to constitute PCD during embryonic kidney development.
- Apoptosis was more prevalent than necroptosis across most metanephric compartments, except the proximal tubule.
- Necroptosis was specifically observed in developing nephrons, excluding the proximal tubule.
- Three clearance mechanisms for PCD cells were identified: efferocytosis, blood flow, and urine flux.
Conclusions:
- Apoptosis and necroptosis are crucial for normal nephrogenesis.
- The interplay between apoptosis and necroptosis influences kidney morphogenesis.
- Efficient clearance of dead cells via efferocytosis, blood flow, and urine flux is vital for developing kidneys.
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