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Metanephric osteopontin regulates nephrogenesis in vitro
S A Rogers1, B J Padanilam, K A Hruska
1Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
The American Journal of Physiology
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Osteopontin is crucial for kidney development in rats, aiding in nephron formation. Blocking osteopontin or its receptor prevents tubule development and increases cell death, highlighting its vital role.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Nephrology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Osteopontin (OPN) expression increases after acute kidney injury.
- Parallels exist between renal ischemia recovery and kidney development.
- The role of OPN in kidney development (metanephrogenesis) is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of osteopontin (OPN) during rat metanephrogenesis.
- To determine if OPN is involved in nephron formation and tubulogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Examined OPN mRNA and protein expression in embryonic rat kidneys.
- Utilized metanephric organ cultures with anti-OPN antibodies and integrin inhibitors.
- Assessed tubulogenesis and apoptosis in cultured metanephroi.
Main Results:
- Osteopontin mRNA and protein are present in developing rat kidneys from embryonic day 13.
- OPN is localized to the developing nephron and ureteric bud.
- Blocking OPN or alpha(v)beta3-integrin inhibited metanephric tubulogenesis.
- Inhibition of OPN signaling led to increased blastemal cell apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Osteopontin is produced during rat kidney development.
- Osteopontin binding to alpha(v)beta3-integrin is essential for tubulogenesis.
- OPN may play an anti-apoptotic role in nephron formation.