BACKGROUND A main function attributed to B cell leukaemia/lymphoma 2 gene (bcL-2) is its ability to confer resistance against apoptosis. In bcl-2 deficient mice, extensive apoptosis occurs during abnormal nephrogenesis, and renal failure is found very quickly after birth. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to clarify whether the degener...

It has been known for some time that laminins containing α1 and α2 chains, which are normally restricted to the mesangial matrix, accumulate in the glomerular basement membranes (GBM) of Alport mice, dogs, and humans. We show that laminins containing the α2 chain, but not those containing the α1 chain activates focal adhesion kinase (FAK) on glomerular podocytes in vitro and in vivo. CD151-null...

Kidney glomerulus mesangial cells fail to develop in mice carrying targeted null mutations in the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B or PDGF-Rβ genes. We have examined the pattern of expression of these genes and smooth muscle markers during kidney development, to address the possible mechanisms underlying the mutant phenotypes. In wild-type embryos, PDGF-B was expressed in vascular endoth...

Suppression of the renin-angiotensin system during lactation causes irreversible renal structural changes. In this study we investigated 1) the time course and the mechanisms underlying the chronic kidney disease caused by administration of the AT(1) receptor blocker losartan during lactation, and 2) whether this untoward effect can be used to engender a new model of chronic kidney disease. Mal...

BACKGROUND The prevalence in the United States of dietary supplement use that may be harmful to those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unknown. We sought to characterize potentially harmful supplement use by individual CKD status. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional national survey (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2008). SETTING & PARTICIPANTS Community-based survey of 2...

Alterations to the structure of the glomerular filtration barrier lead to effacement of podocyte foot processes, leakage of albumin, and the development of proteinuria. To better understand the signaling pathways involved in the response of the glomerular filtration barrier to injury, we studied freshly isolated rat glomeruli, which allows for the monitoring and pharmacologic manipulation of ea...

Kidney glomerulus mesangial cells fail to develop in mice carrying targeted null mutations in the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B or PDGF-Rbeta genes. We have examined the pattern of expression of these genes and smooth muscle markers during kidney development, to address the possible mechanisms underlying the mutant phenotypes. In wild-type embryos, PDGF-B was expressed in vascular end...

The glomerulofibrotic Col1a2-deficient mouse model demonstrates glomerular homotrimeric type I collagen deposition in mesangial and subendothelial spaces. In this report, we investigate the role of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in myofibroblast activation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in this glomerulopathy. Immunohistochemical analyses of glomerular α-sma, desmin, viment...

Diabetic nephropathy, i.e. albuminuria and decreasing glomerular filtration rate—often associated with increased blood pressure—is closely associated with structural lesions in the kidney. In advanced diabetic nephropathy all compartments of the kidney show abnormalities. The glomerular changes are rather characteristic. By light-microscopy the most conspicuous change of diabetic glomerulopathy...

The WT1 tumor suppressor gene encodes a zinc finger transcription factor expressed in differentiating glomerular podocytes. Complete inactivation of WT1 in the mouse leads to failure of mesenchymal induction and renal agenesis, an early developmental phenotype that prevents analysis of subsequent stages in glomerular differentiation [1]. In humans with Denys-Drash Syndrome, a heterozygous germl...