Molecular events involved in the morphogenesis of multicystic dysplastic kidney.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Wnt-1 is capable of inducing metanephric mesenchyme to undergo tubulogenesis. A relationship between the degree of cystogenesis and reduced E-cadherin (E-cad) expression was described. Syndecan-1 (Sdc-1) has a critical role in kidney development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Ten multicystic dysplastic kidneys (MCDKs) were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry was performed using Wnt-1, E-cad and Sdc-1 antibodies. Eight unaffected kidneys were used as controls.

RESULTS:

Strong Wnt-1 immunostaining occurred inside cystic/tubular epithelial cells and in blastematous foci. An immunoreaction was observed in glomerular epithelial cells. In controls, just weak cytoplasmic Wnt-1 positivity was seen in tubular epithelial cells. E-cad reaction was negative in MCDKs while strong immunostaining was common in tubular cells of controls. A strong Sdc-1 immunoreaction depicted cystic, tubular and glomerular epithelial cells in MCDKs while Sdc-1 expression documented weak positivity in tubular epithelium alone.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our data are in accordance with an involvement of Wnt-1 in normal nephrogenesis and with its role in altered epithelial differentiation of metanephric mesenchyme in MCDKs. Wnt-1 signal may function to suppress E-cad expression, a predisposing event for cystogenesis. High expression of Sdc-1 in tubular/cystic epithelial cells of MCDKs might alter the normal transition of stages of the developmental process and modify the anion charge of the glomerular barrier.

• Authors: Salvatore Arena, Carmine Fazzari, Maria Grazia Scuderi, Alessandra Implatini, Daniela Villari, Santo Torre, Francesco Arena, Vincenzo Di Benedetto
• Journal: Urologia internationalis (Urol Int) Vol. 85 Issue 1 Pg. 106-11 ( 2010) ISSN: 1423-0399 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 20224260 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright (c) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Antigens, CD
• CDH1 protein, human
• Cadherins
• SDC1 protein, human
• Syndecan-1
• WNT1 protein, human
• Wnt1 Protein

Topics

• Antigens, CD
• Cadherins (analysis)
• Case-Control Studies
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Infant
• Kidney (chemistry, embryology, growth & development)
• Morphogenesis
• Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney (embryology, metabolism)
• Signal Transduction
• Syndecan-1 (analysis)
• Wnt1 Protein (analysis)