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Involvement of hepatocyte growth factor in kidney development
O F Santos1, E J Barros, X M Yang
1Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
Developmental Biology
|June 1, 1994
Summary
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is crucial for mouse kidney development, promoting branching morphogenesis and ureteric bud growth. Blocking HGF significantly inhibits these essential developmental processes.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Kidney development involves complex signaling pathways.
- Branching morphogenesis is a critical process in kidney formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor c-met in mouse kidney development.
- To determine the impact of HGF on ureteric bud branching morphogenesis and metanephric growth.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to analyze gene expression.
- Coculture assays with embryonic kidney and MDCK cells.
- Organ culture of embryonic kidneys with anti-HGF antiserum.
Main Results:
- HGF and c-met expression were detected from Gestational Day 11.5, coinciding with ureteric bud branching.
- Embryonic kidney-induced MDCK cell branching morphogenesis was inhibited by anti-HGF serum.
- Anti-HGF serum inhibited metanephric growth and perturbed ureteric duct development.
Conclusions:
- Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plays a significant role in mouse kidney development.
- HGF signaling is essential for branching morphogenesis and overall kidney formation.