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The origin of the glomerular endothelium
Cell Differentiation
|January 1, 1982
Summary
Kidney glomeruli endothelium originates from external vasculature, not the nephrogenic mesenchyme. This study used interspecies grafts to trace the developmental origin of kidney endothelial cells.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Renal physiology
- Vascular biology
Background:
- The origin of glomerular endothelium, a key component of kidney filtration units, has been debated.
- Previous assumptions suggested glomerular endothelium arises from the metanephric mesenchyme, similar to other nephron structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental origin of the glomerular endothelium.
- To determine if glomerular endothelium arises from intrinsic kidney cells or external vascular sources.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mouse/quail and quail/chick interspecies transplantation techniques.
- Transplanted undifferentiated mouse kidney anlagen onto quail chorioallantoic membranes for development.
- Analyzed graft vascularization and endothelial cell origin using quail nuclear markers.
Main Results:
- Interspecies grafts showed well-developed kidney vasculature.
- Both glomerular and vessel endothelium in the grafts expressed the quail nuclear marker.
- Quail/chick transplantation experiments yielded similar results, confirming endothelium origin.
Conclusions:
- The endothelium of kidney glomeruli is derived from external vasculature.
- This finding challenges the long-held concept of intrinsic origin from nephrogenic mesenchyme.