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Updated: Mar 29, 2026

Isolation and Culture of Cells from the Nephrogenic Zone of the Embryonic Mouse Kidney
08:06

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Published on: April 22, 2011

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Expression of ERK1/2, p38, and JNK in Normal Kidney Development and CAKUT

Ivona Letica1,2, Petar Todorović3, Patricija Bajt3

  • 1Department of Pediatric Nephrology, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
|March 28, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway expression differs in developing human kidneys with congenital anomalies. These distinct patterns in ERK1/2, p38, and JNK reveal insights into CAKUT pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways, including p38, JNK, and ERK1/2, are crucial for kidney development.
  • Dysregulation of MAPK signaling is implicated in congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), a leading cause of pediatric kidney disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare the expression patterns of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2 in normal fetal kidneys versus kidneys affected by CAKUT.
  • To analyze these expression patterns across different developmental phases and CAKUT phenotypes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 43 human fetal kidney samples (controls and CAKUT specimens: horseshoe, hypoplastic, dysplastic) across developmental phases 2-4.
  • Immunofluorescence and quantitative image analysis were employed.
  • Statistical comparisons were conducted between developmental stages and phenotypes.

Main Results:

  • ERK1/2 expression increased in late-stage controls but was reduced in hypoplastic kidneys.
  • p38 showed phase-dependent changes: early upregulation in dysplastic kidneys and late elevation in horseshoe kidneys.
  • JNK was significantly upregulated in horseshoe kidneys during specific developmental phases; p38 expression correlated with nephron maturation.

Conclusions:

  • MAPK pathways exhibit distinct, developmental, and phenotype-specific expression profiles in human fetal kidneys.
  • These differential expression patterns suggest divergent molecular mechanisms underlying various CAKUT types.
  • Findings may aid in the molecular characterization and understanding of congenital renal anomalies.
Keywords:
CAKUTERK1/2JNKfetal kidney developmentp38

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