Tracking the stochastic fate of cells of the renin lineage after podocyte depletion using multicolor reporters and intravital imaging

PLoS One. 2017 Mar 22;12(3):e0173891. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173891. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Podocyte depletion plays a major role in focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS). Because cells of the renin lineage (CoRL) serve as adult podocyte and parietal epithelial cell (PEC) progenitor candidates, we generated Ren1cCre/R26R-ConfettiTG/WT and Ren1dCre/R26R-ConfettiTG/WT mice to determine CoRL clonality during podocyte replacement. Four CoRL reporters (GFP, YFP, RFP, CFP) were restricted to cells in the juxtaglomerular compartment (JGC) at baseline. Following abrupt podocyte depletion in experimental FSGS, all four CoRL reporters were detected in a subset of glomeruli at day 28, where they co-expressed de novo four podocyte proteins (podocin, nephrin, WT-1 and p57) and two glomerular parietal epithelial cell (PEC) proteins (claudin-1, PAX8). To monitor the precise migration of a subset of CoRL over a 2w period following podocyte depletion, intravital multiphoton microscopy was used. Our findings demonstrate direct visual support for the migration of single CoRL from the JGC to the parietal Bowman's capsule, early proximal tubule, mesangium and glomerular tuft. In summary, these results suggest that following podocyte depletion, multi-clonal CoRL migrate to the glomerulus and replace podocyte and PECs in experimental FSGS.

MeSH terms

  • Adult Stem Cells / cytology
  • Adult Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cell Movement
  • Claudin-1 / metabolism
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p57 / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Female
  • Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / metabolism*
  • Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / pathology*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Intravital Microscopy
  • Kidney Glomerulus / cytology*
  • Kidney Glomerulus / metabolism*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton
  • PAX8 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Podocytes / cytology*
  • Podocytes / metabolism*
  • Renin / metabolism*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Stochastic Processes
  • WT1 Proteins

Substances

  • Cdkn1c protein, mouse
  • Claudin-1
  • Cldn1 protein, mouse
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p57
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • NPHS2 protein
  • PAX8 Transcription Factor
  • Pax8 protein, mouse
  • Repressor Proteins
  • WT1 Proteins
  • WT1 protein, mouse
  • nephrin
  • Renin