Basement membrane proteoglycans and anionic sites in the fetal rat kidney during late gestation

Proteoglycans were studied in developing rat fetal kidney using cytological and biochemical techniques. These compounds were detected with immunoperoxidase in the nephron basement membranes from the earliest stages of differentiation. In the glomerular basement membrane, immunostaining appeared as both diffuse and granular deposits, as long as this membrane consisted of loose material; however, as soon as a three-layered membrane had formed, staining was confined to the laminae rarae as regularly arranged granules. The same pattern of staining was observed during differentiation of the basement membrane of the proximal tubule. In Bowman's capsule, immunostaining appeared as granules, which were sparsely distributed in the developing glomerulus and then regularly lined the stacked laminae when differentiation was complete. In all basement membranes, anionic sites (disclosed by polyethyleneimine) were colocated with immunostained granular deposits. Total glycosaminoglycan content gradually increased from the beginning of metanephros development to birth. During this period, the relative proportions of glycosaminoglycans changed: heparan sulfate increased and hyaluronic acid decreased as differentiation proceeded. The possible relationship between morphological observations and biochemical changes in glycosaminoglycan content is discussed.