Apoptosis in kidneys of endothelin-1 transgenic mice

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) transgenic mice are characterized by age-dependent development of renal cysts and renal fibrosis (interstitial fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis), leading to a progressive decrease in glomerular filtration rate. The mechanism causing the loss of functionally and morphologically normal renal tissue is unknown. An imbalance between cell proliferation and apoptosis in the kidneys of ET-1 transgenic mice might contribute to this process. We identified apoptotic cells in kidney sections by in situ end-labeling and by the typical nuclear chromatin morphology after propidium iodide (PI) staining. Cell proliferation was measured by estimating the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells. The numbers of apoptotic cells were significantly increased (p < 0.001) in the kidneys of 14-month-old ET-1 transgenic mice, whereas cell proliferation was not enhanced. Apoptotic cells were detected in the glomeruli, tubular cells, and renal interstitial cells in ET-1 transgenic mice. In conclusion, apoptotic loss of functional renal tissue appears to be associated with the progression of cyst formation and renal fibrosis. Therefore, an imbalance between cell proliferation and apoptosis could be an important cellular mechanism in ET-1 transgenic mice leading to end-stage kidney disease.