Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
2008 JASN IMPACT FACTOR 7.505 HOME   AUTHOR INFO   EDITORIAL BOARD   SUBSCRIBE   FEEDBACK   ALERTS   HELP 
    advanced
CURRENT ISSUE ARCHIVES JASN Express ONLINE SUBMISSION


Published ahead of print on October 5, 2005
J Am Soc Nephrol 16: 3247-3255, 2005
© 2005 American Society of Nephrology
doi: 10.1681/ASN.2005030278
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Data Supplement
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
ASN.2005030278v1
16/11/3247    most recent
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Cui, S.
Right arrow Articles by Quaggin, S. E.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Cui, S.
Right arrow Articles by Quaggin, S. E.
Related Collections
Right arrowRelated Article

Genetics and Development

Rapid Isolation of Glomeruli Coupled with Gene Expression Profiling Identifies Downstream Targets in Pod1 Knockout Mice

Shiying Cui*, Chengjin Li*, Masatsugu Ema{dagger}, Jordan Weinstein{ddagger} and Susan E. Quaggin*,{ddagger}

* The Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; {dagger} Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Developmental Technology, Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan; and {ddagger} Division of Nephrology, St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Address correspondence to: Dr. Susan E. Quaggin, The Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Department of Maternal Health & Fetal Health, Mount Sinai Hospital, 600 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X5 Canada. Phone: 416-586-4800 ext. 2859; Fax: 416-586-8588; quaggin{at}mshri.on.ca

Received for publication March 14, 2005. Accepted for publication August 4, 2005.


   Abstract
Top
 Abstract
Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Mouse mutations have provided tremendous insights into the molecular basis of renal and glomerular development. However, genes often play important roles during multiple stages of nephrogenesis, making it difficult to determine the role of a gene in a specific cell lineage such as the podocyte. Conditional gene targeting and chimeric analysis are two possible approaches to dissect the function of genes in specific cell populations. However, these are labor-intensive and costly and require the generation, validation, and analysis of additional transgenic lines. For overcoming these shortcomings and, specifically, for studying the role of gene function in developing glomeruli, a technique to isolate and purify glomeruli from murine embryos was developed. Combined with gene expression profiling, this method was used to identify differentially expressed genes in glomeruli from Pod1 knockout (KO) mice that die in the perinatal period with multiple renal defects. Glomeruli from early developing stages (late S-shape/early capillary loop) onward can be isolated successfully from wild-type and KO kidneys at 18.5 d postcoitus, and RNA can readily be obtained and used for genome-wide microarray analysis. With this approach, 3986 genes that are differently expressed between glomeruli from Pod1 KO and wild-type mice were identified, including a four-fold reduction of {alpha} 8 integrin mRNA in glomeruli from Pod1 KO mice that was confirmed by immunostaining. This procedure may be adapted to any transgenic strain, providing a rapid and efficient method to dissect the function of specific genes in glomerular development.


   Introduction
Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Over the past decade, gene-targeting studies have identified many genes that play essential roles in glomerular development, including Wilms tumor suppressor gene, LIM homeobox transcription factor 1{beta}, Pod1, Kreisler, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), basic fibroblast growth factor, PDGFB/PDGFR-{beta}, endothelial cell tyrosine kinase receptor, angiopoietin-1, and hepatocyte growth factor (reviewed in 1, 2). Although knockout (KO) studies have provided definitive proof that these genes are important in renal development, elucidation of the specific role for each of these genes in glomerulogenesis has been difficult because many of them play multiple roles in renal development and in other organs. In our laboratory, we identified the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Pod1 (also called Tcf21/capsulin/epicardin) to be expressed in developing and mature podocytes from the S-shape stage of glomerular development onward. However, Pod1 is also expressed in condensing metanephric mesenchymal cells that give rise to stromal cell lineages, to pericytes, to peritubular interstitial cells, and in the mesenchyme of many other organs (3). Pod1 KO mice die in the perinatal period as a result of major lung and cardiac defects. Furthermore, Pod1 is required for sex determination and gonad and spleen development (4–6). Analysis of chimeric mice showed that Pod1 is required in the developing stroma for glomerular development (3); however, the role of Pod1 within podocytes is still unclear. One approach to answer this question is to generate a conditional KO that deletes the Pod1 gene only from podocytes. However, this approach is not yet possible as no Cre driver mouse line is available to excise genes specifically from S-shape stage podocytes when Pod1 is first expressed. Because of this, we sought to develop an alternative method to identify biologic effectors of Pod1 function within the glomerulus.

In this article, we describe an adaptation of the glomerular isolation method developed by Takemoto et al. (7) that permits us to isolate glomeruli from embryonic-stage (18.5 d postcoitus [dpc]) kidneys. This is critical in the case of Pod1 KO mice because they die within minutes after birth as a result of respiratory distress. Using this method, we were able to isolate large quantities of glomeruli (approximately 2500) from early developing stages (late S-shape/early capillary loop) onward. Furthermore, we generated RNA from glomerular pools that were isolated from Pod1 KO or wild-type mice and used it to generate gene expression profiles. Using this method, we identified a number of genes whose expression is disrupted in Pod1 KO kidneys, including {alpha} 8 integrin, and confirmed that it is reduced in glomeruli from Pod1 KO mice.


   Materials and Methods
Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Experimental Animals
Mice that were used for these studies were maintained at the animal facility of the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, according to Canadian animal research regulations. ICR (Institute for Cancer Research) mice were purchased from Harlan Sprague Dawley (Indianapolis, IN). Podocyte-specific Nephrin–cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) mice, expressing a Cyan fluorescent protein in the ICR background, were generated by subcloning the CFP cDNA (gift from A. Nagy and K. Hadjantonakis, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Toronto, Canada) into the EcoR1 site of the NXPRS nephrin construct (1,8). Pod1 KO and heterozygous (Pod1+/–) mice in the SVJ 129 background were generated as described previously (4,9). VEGF receptor 2–green fluorescence protein (VEGFR-2–GFP) knock-in mice were provided by J. Rossant (Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada). In these transgenic mice, a GFP cassette is knocked into the VEGFR-2 locus under regulation of the endogenous promoter; GFP expression in this transgenic line faithfully recapitulates endogenous VEGFR-2 expression (M.E. and J. Rossant, unpublished observations).

Reagents
HBSS was made by the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital. Tosylactivated Dynabeads M-450 (product no. 14004) and a magnetic particle concentrator were purchased from Dynal Biotech ASA (Oslo, Norway). Collagenase A was purchased from Roche Applied Science (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada). Deoxyribonuclease I was from Invitrogen Canada Inc. (Burlington, ON, Canada). Cell strainers (0.1 mm diameter) were from Falcon (BD Biosciences, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada). {alpha} 8 antibody was provided by Dr. Ulrich Mueller (Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA).

Isolation of Different Stages of Developing Glomeruli
The procedure of isolation of immature and mature glomeruli from embryonic mice is similar to the isolation of glomeruli from adult mice described previously by Takemoto et al. (7), with some modifications. As this procedure depends on the circulation of blood and the circulatory pathways are different in embryonic and adult mice, we needed to modify the procedure during Dynabead perfusion. Briefly, embryos at 18.5 dpc were dissected and incubated in PBS on ice. According to the specific pathway of embryonic blood circulation before birth (septal opening between left and right atrium and patent ductus between lung and aortic vessels), the direction of the needle 301/2G (Becton Dickinson and Co., Franklin Lakes, NJ) was adjusted at 70 to 80° to the longitudinal axis of the heart, which allowed almost all perfused Dynabeads to pass through the pathway of the aortic arch leading to the ascending aorta and then to the microvascular circulation of the kidneys (10 ml/4 to 5 min). For decreasing the effect of pressure on the blood vessel wall and for ensuring that enough beads were perfused into the kidneys, the abdominal cavity was opened before microperfusion. The embryo was microperfused with 2 x 107 Dynabeads diluted in 10 ml of HBSS buffer through the beating heart under a dissecting microscope (x6.3). For avoiding the effect of collagenase digestion of the kidney on the glomerular structure, the kidneys first were minced into pieces as small as possible with a scalpel blade after Dynabead perfusion, then collagenase was added. Ten minutes after the digestion procedure was started, the solution was pipetted gently approximately 10 times. After digestion in HBSS with collagenase A (1 mg/ml) and deoxyribonuclease I (100 U/ml) at 37°C for <20 min, the tissue was diluted in 3 ml of HBSS and gently pressed through a cell strainer followed by rinsing with 3 ml of HBSS. Glomeruli that contained Dynabeads were isolated with a magnetic particle concentrator and washed three times with HBSS.

X-Gal Staining, Histology, and Quantification of Isolated Glomeruli
After isolation, glomeruli from Pod1 KO and heterozygous mice were fixed in lacZ fixative for 3 to 4 min at room temperature. After rinsing in the lacZ wash buffer twice, isolated glomeruli were stained with X-gal for 10 min at 37°C, followed by counterstaining with Nuclear Fast Red. These glomeruli were collected with the Dynabead concentrator and further fixed in 10% formalin. Consequently, isolated glomeruli were dropped directly onto glass slides, left to dry at room temperature for 10 min and mounted with GVA mounting solution (cat. no. 00-8000; ZYMED Laboratories Inc., Burlington, Ontario, Canada). Finally, isolated glomeruli were examined and counted under the light microscope. Different stages of glomerular development were identified by the number and shape of isolated structures that contained blue cells (podocytes) on the slide. A Bright-Line Hemacytometer (Hausser Scientific, Horsham, PA) was used for counting glomeruli from 12 kidneys. A total of 14,000 glomeruli were counted. For transmission electron microscopic and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination, isolated glomeruli were fixed with 2% glutaraldehyde in PBS buffer. For SEM, isolated glomeruli were osmicated according to the OTOTO protocol (7,10) and dried using hexamethyldisilazama evaporation (11). Finally, specimens were examined by electron microscopy.

Analysis of RNA Integrity and Microarray Data
Total RNA was purified using the RNeasy Micro Kit (50; Qiagen Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The concentration of total RNA was measured by an Eppendorf Biophotometer (AG 22331 CE, Eppendorf, Germany), and the quality was tested by both electrophoreses and electrophogram. Mouse Affymetrix GeneChips 430-2.0 (Santa Clara, CA) were used for RNA microarray analysis, which was performed at the microarray facility in the Center for Applied Genomics (The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada). For microarray hybridization, RNA was amplified using the Affymetrix two-cycle kit, and the data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel program. Four thousand genes whose expression was either up- or downregulated at least two-fold between Pod1 KO and wild-type mice were chosen for further analysis by Affymetrix G-COS, SpotFire, and Array assist programs.

Immunohistochemistry
To demonstrate proof of principle and utility of the microarray screen in Pod1 KO mice, we chose to examine the expression of {alpha} 8 integrin, one of the candidate genes related to kidney development, identified in our microarray screen. Because {alpha} 8 is expressed in metanephric mesenchymal cells that surround the ureteric bud during early nephrogenesis (12,13) and mesangial cells of mature glomeruli in adult kidneys (14,15), embryonic kidneys were dissected at 13 and 18.5 dpc and fixed in 4% PFA. Ten-micrometer cryosections were prepared as described previously (16). The primary antibodies used were anti–{alpha} 8 integrin (1:1500 dilution). Samples were incubated in primary antibody at 4°C overnight. After washing three times for at least 1 h in PBS, samples were incubated with the secondary biotin-related anti-rabbit antibody for 1 h (Vectastain Kit; Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, CA). Samples then were incubated in ABC solution (Vectastain Kit) and further developed with DAB (Peroxidase Substrate Kit DAB, Vector Laboratories) color staining. Samples were counterstained with hematoxylin, dehydrated, mounted, and photographed.

The immunofluorescent staining procedure was described previously (16). The secondary antibodies used were FITC-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG (Jackson Laboratories, West Grove, PA; 1:400) to detect anti–{alpha} 8 integrin and Cy3-conjugated donkey anti-mouse IgG (Jackson Laboratories, 1:500) to detect anti-lacZ. Samples were washed three times for 1 h in wash buffer (3% BSA, 0.5% goat serum, and 0.1% Triton X-100 in PBS) and mounted in mounting solution (Sigma, St. Louis, MO) for subsequent microscopic observation.


   Results
Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
Discussion
 References
 
Isolation of Immature, Maturing, and Mature Glomeruli from Embryonic Mice
To our knowledge, the isolation and characterization of different stages of developing and mature glomeruli from embryonic mice have not previously been reported. To enable us to develop a protocol of glomerular isolation from embryonic kidneys, we first used Nephrin-CFP embryonic mice as glomerular donors, which allowed us to determine the location of Dynabeads in glomeruli under the dissecting microscope immediately following Dynabead perfusion (Figure 1). It also allowed us to examine the morphology and count the number of isolated glomeruli by checking the florescence using a CFP filter (Figure 1). Moreover, it confirmed that this method was successful to isolate large quantities of glomeruli from the embryonic kidneys, because the number of CFP-positive glomeruli and/or cells was very low in the solution discarded after filtration through the cell strainer and collection by the magnetic concentrator. X-gal staining of the kidneys from Pod1+/– embryonic mice perfused with Dynabeads revealed that the beads were distributed in the vessels of all glomerular stages, including early developing (late S-shape/early capillary loop), maturing (capillary loop), and mature glomeruli (Figure 2). However, perfused beads, as expected, were not found in the early S-shaped stages, as no vascular network (Figure 2A) has assembled by this stage. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of glomeruli that were isolated from Nephrin-CFP embryonic mice and immunohistochemistry staining of glomeruli that were isolated from Pod1 heterozygous mice showed that different stages of glomeruli were present on the slides (Figure 2) and demonstrated that this protocol is useful to isolate various stages of glomeruli from embryonic kidneys. SEM revealed that the morphology of isolated glomeruli was intact (Figure 3A), and primary processes from the main podocyte cell bodies remain wrapped around individual capillary loops in mature isolated glomeruli (Figure 3B). Transmission electron microscopy further demonstrated that the ultrastructure of isolated glomeruli was intact (Figure 3C). The capillary network of isolated glomeruli was seen to consist of fenestrated endothelial cells; in addition, thin diaphragms were sometimes observed extending across these fenestrae. Foot processes of podocytes could be seen in contact with the glomerular basement membrane (Figure 3D). The number of isolated glomeruli that were collected from a single 18.5 dpc embryonic mouse was estimated to be 2164 ± 326, which consisted of 37.6% glomeruli at early developing stage (late S-shaped/early capillary loop), 43.6% at capillary loop stage, and 18.8% at the mature stage (Figure 4).



View larger version (73K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
[as a PowerPoint slide]
  		Figure 1. Glomerular isolation under the dissecting microscope. (A) Glomeruli in kidneys from Nephrin–cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) mice at 18.5 d post coitum (dpc) fluoresce under a CFP filter before infusion of Dynabeads. (B) Dynabeads that were injected into the aorta are seen in afferent arterioles (dark outlines) entering glomeruli (arrows). (C) Different developmental stages of glomeruli can be seen after isolation with the magnetic concentrator. EDG, early developing glomeruli (late S-shape/early capillary loop); CLG, capillary loop glomeruli; MG, mature glomeruli.

 


View larger version (86K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
[as a PowerPoint slide]
  		Figure 2. Different stages of glomeruli captured by Dynabeads. Immunostaining to green fluorescent protein (GFP; brown) marks endothelial cells in developing glomeruli isolated from GFP-Flk (VEGFR2) mice (A, D, G, J, and M). LacZ staining (blue) in kidneys from Pod1+/– mice identifies podocytes in developing glomeruli after capture with Dynabeads (gold particles; B, E, H, K, and N); isolated glomeruli are stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H-E) (C, F, I, L, and O) or immunostained with an antibody to LacZ (green) that marks podocytes (P, Q, R, S, and T). Dynabeads appear red in the anti-LacZ column. Early developing glomeruli: Nv, nephrogenic vesicle; unlabeled arrow, vascular cleft; p, podocytes. Capillary loop stage: unlabeled arrows, capillaries, p, podocytes, B, Dynabeads.

 


View larger version (155K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
[as a PowerPoint slide]
  		Figure 3. Structural integrity of isolated glomeruli. The quality of isolated glomeruli was examined by electron microscopy. Scanning electron micrographs are shown in A and B, and transmission electron micrographs are shown in C and D. Intact glomerulus with podocytes and multiple foot processes are shown in A and B (unlabeled arrow, foot processes in B). Fenestrated endothelial cells and foot processes of podocytes in contact with the glomerular basement membrane are present in C and D (unlabeled arrow, Dynabeads in C). en, endothelium, p, podocyte.

 


View larger version (54K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
[as a PowerPoint slide]
  		Figure 4. Proportion of glomerular stages isolated by Dynabead perfusion. (A) LacZ staining shows morphology of developmental stages of glomeruli that were isolated from Pod1+/– mice with Dynabeads. (B) The number of each developmental stage isolated as a percentage of total glomeruli.

 
For ensuring a high quantity and quality of RNA, extraction of total RNA was begun immediately after isolation of the glomeruli. The amount of total RNA that was purified from isolated glomeruli of a single embryonic mouse was estimated to be 438 ng on average. To confirm the integrity of the RNA that was extracted from glomeruli, we performed electrophoretic and electrophogram analysis (Figure 5). Figure 5 shows that the integrity of RNA from glomeruli that were isolated using Dynabead perfusion was comparable to total RNA from snap-frozen whole kidney.



View larger version (36K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
[as a PowerPoint slide]
  		Figure 5. Evaluation of the integrity of RNA isolated for microarray analysis. (A) An ethidium bromide–stained gel of total RNA (left) and electrophogram of RNA after amplification with the Affymetrix two-cycle kit confirm the integrity of RNA purified from isolated glomeruli. (B) Scatter plot of the signal detection of gene expression from isolated glomeruli from Pod1 knockout (KO; –/–) compared with Pod1 wild-type (+/+) mice. Genes represented are from the microarray database.

 
Characterization of Glomeruli from Wild-Type and Pod1 KO Mice
Pod1 is a transcription factor expressed in many developing organs. We recently found that Pod1 plays an important role in podocytes and endothelial cell differentiation in glomeruli, particularly during remodeling and maturation of the vasculature (unpublished observations). To characterize further the role of Pod1 in the glomerulus, we wanted to isolate mutant glomeruli to profile their gene expression. This is important as the kidneys in Pod1 KO mice exhibit multiple defects, including disruption of ureteric bud branching, arrest of stromal cell development, and marked dysplasia with absence of the renal medulla (3,4). Figure 6 shows that the number of beads deposited was markedly increased in the capillaries of Pod1 KO glomeruli that were microperfused with Dynabeads when compared with wild-type glomeruli. Moreover, this heavy deposition could be observed from the beginning of glomerular formation onward, through early capillary loop stage, and in maturing capillary loop stage when Pod1 KO glomerular development becomes arrested. The results suggest that Pod1 plays an important role in vascular remodeling at the beginning of formation of glomerular architecture during a time when endothelial cells are undergoing differentiation and branching. To identify candidate genes that are related to podocyte and endothelial cell differentiation, we used RNA that was isolated from Pod1 KO glomeruli to screen the mouse Affymetrix GeneChips 430-2.0 compared with RNA from wild-type or heterozygous littermates. RNA was generated from glomeruli that were isolated from a total of 32 mutant and 12 wild-type embryos on two independent occasions. The hybridization results were normalized and analyzed by Affymetrix GCOS, SpotFire, and ArrayAssist programs. When KO samples were compared with control samples, a total of 3986 genes (approximately 8.9% of the 45,000 genes) whose transcript varied by at least 2 SD were identified. Tables 1 and 2 shows a partial list of genes that were most greatly up- or downregulated in glomeruli from Pod1 KO mice compared with wild-type littermates. The complete list of genes that are up- or downregulated at least two-fold is provided in the Appendix (available online only).



View larger version (90K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
[as a PowerPoint slide]
  		Figure 6. Distribution of perfused Dynabeads in glomeruli from Pod1+/– and Pod1 KO mice at 18.5 dpc. Dynabeads aggregate in greater numbers in all stages of glomeruli from Pod1 KO kidneys compared with Pod1+/– glomeruli, suggesting that the lumen of capillaries are enlarged. Note that glomerular development is arrested at the capillary loop stage in Pod1 KO mice. Blue-stained cells = podocytes.

 

View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]

  		Table 1. Genes downregulated in glomeruli isolated from Pod1 KO compared to wild-type mice

 

View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]

  		Table 2. Genes upregulated in glomeruli isolated from Pod1 KO compared to wild-type mice

 
As proof of principle and to demonstrate the utility of this approach, we examined the expression of {alpha} 8 integrin that was significantly downregulated (four-fold) in glomeruli from Pod1 KO mice. Of note, expression of {alpha} 8 integrin has previously been reported in metanephric mesenchymal cells (13,17) and in mesangial cells (14,15) of the glomerulus. Figure 7 shows that the level of {alpha} 8 integrin expression is markedly decreased in metanephric mesenchymal cells of Pod1 KO kidneys compared with Pod1+/– kidneys. Furthermore, {alpha} 8 integrin is expressed in the mesangial cells of wild-type glomeruli, and this is markedly reduced in glomeruli from Pod1 KO mice. Together, these results demonstrate that this procedure will be valuable to identify downstream biologic effectors in transgenic mice.



View larger version (75K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
[as a PowerPoint slide]
  		Figure 7. Expression of {alpha} 8 Integrin in Pod1 KO and wild-type kidneys. (A) Immunohistochemical staining of kidneys from mice at 13.5 dpc shows expression of {alpha} 8 integrin in condensing mesenchyme around ureteric buds of wild-type kidneys. Expression is markedly reduced in kidneys from Pod1 KO mice. (B) Glomeruli are double labeled with an antibody to {alpha} 8 integrin (green) and lacZ (red). LacZ is expressed in Pod1-expressing cells (podocytes and peritubular interstitial cells), whereas {alpha} 8 integrin is expressed in mesangial cells adjacent to endothelium. Note that {alpha} 8 integrin is reduced in glomeruli from Pod1 KO mice.

 

   Discussion
Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
References
 
In this article, we report a technique to isolate large quantities of developing and mature glomeruli from mouse embryos at 18.5 dpc. We show that it is possible to obtain high-quality RNA from glomeruli that are isolated from a single mouse that allows us to perform gene expression profiling from specific renal structures and cell populations. The major advantage of this procedure is that it permits the identification of a large number of differentially expressed genes from relatively homogeneous cell populations. To demonstrate the utility of this procedure in practice, we performed glomerular isolation and gene expression profiling in glomeruli from Pod1 KO mice. Although Pod1 is highly expressed in developing and mature podocytes from the S-shape stage onward, it has not been possible to determine the cell autonomous or non–cell autonomous roles of Pod1 within the glomerulus because of the critical role that Pod1 plays in earlier mesenchymal populations within the kidney. Although conditional gene targeting is a powerful and widely used technique that definitively defines the cell-autonomous role of a gene, it requires that cell-specific Cre-driver lines be available. In the case of Pod1, there are no Cre-driver lines yet available for early stages of podocyte differentiation, i.e., S-shape stage, when Pod1 is first expressed.

Pod1 KO mice die within minutes after birth as a result of lung and cardiac defects. Glomerular development is arrested in Pod1 KO mice at the capillary loop stage. At most, only one capillary loop forms within the mutant Pod1 glomeruli. Despite the major defects in glomerular capillary formation, we show that magnetic beads that were infused into the aorta of Pod1 KO embryos become trapped in the single capillary loop, permitting glomerular isolation. The RNA that was generated from these isolated glomeruli is of high quality and was used to screen the Affymetrix microarray gene chips. A large number of differentially expressed genes were identified in glomeruli from Pod1 mice compared with glomeruli from wild-type littermates; these included NPHS2 (podocin) and Col4{alpha}3-2 genes that play important roles in glomerular development and disease.

As proof of principle, we show immunostaining in mutant and wild-type glomeruli for one of the identified genes: {alpha} 8 integrin. On microarray analysis, {alpha} 8 integrin was reduced four-fold in glomeruli from Pod1 KO mice. Expression of {alpha} 8 integrin in mesangial cells of the glomerulus and renal vascular smooth muscle cells was reported previously (14,18); here we show that it is expressed in mesangial cells of wild-type glomeruli as expected. Furthermore, we show that {alpha} 8 integrin staining is markedly reduced in mesangial cells in Pod1 KO glomeruli. This reduction occurs in glomeruli and also in metanephric mesenchymal populations that also normally express Pod1.

The method reported in this article also permitted us to quantify the number of glomeruli that were isolated within each of the major developmental stages: Late S-shape/early capillary loop, capillary loop, and mature. Two factors permitted us to perform this quantitative analysis. First, when we generated the null Pod1-targeting allele, we knocked in a {beta}-galactosidase reporter gene into the Pod1 locus under regulation of the endogenous promoter. Thus, lacZ expression recapitulates the endogenous expression of Pod1 and begins in podocyte precursors during the S-shape stage onward. As a result, it is very easy to identify cells of the podocyte lineage in developing glomerular structures. When counting glomeruli that are stained with X-gal under the light microscope, it thus was possible to exclude definitively contamination of other renal tissue, even when it was minimal contamination. This is an important point for effective quantitative analysis, especially to count the number of early-stage glomeruli isolated. As can be seen in the figures, early developing glomeruli (late S-shape/early capillary loop) are not globular and may have been counted as contaminants on the basis of morphology alone (i.e., it would be hard to distinguish between S-body stage glomeruli and portions of proximal tubular contaminants). However, that there is intense lacZ staining in these structures confirms that they are glomerular in origin.

Second, we were able to determine which "vascular stage" is required for successful isolation. According to elegant studies by Hyink et al. (19), it is known that vascular progenitors migrate into the vascular cleft to produce the glomerular capillary network during the S-shape stage. Using a VEGFR-2–GFP reporter mouse strain (the enhanced GFP is knocked into the VEGFR-2 locus), we were able to observe and confirm VEGFR-2–positive cells in the cleft at the late S-shape/early capillary loop stage. Immediately after perfusion with Dynabeads, the beads could be seen in the lumen of the capillary forming in the cleft of late S-shape/early capillary loop stage glomeruli on tissue sections (Figures 2 and 6). In conclusion, we report a highly efficient method to isolate embryonic glomeruli, provide quantification of stages isolated, and demonstrate the utility and application of this protocol for gene expression profiling. This is a useful method to profile gene expression and identify relevant biologic effectors in glomeruli from KO mice.


   Acknowledgments
 
This work was supported by Canadian Institutes of Health Research grant MOP-62931 and the Kidney Foundation of Canada grant to S.E.Q.

We gratefully acknowledge Minoru Takemoto, who came to the laboratory and taught us his wonderful technique. We thank J. Rossant for critically reviewing the manuscript, D. Holmyard for expert electron microscopy assistance, and D. Vukasovic for excellent secretary assistance; S.E.Q. is the recipient of a CRC Tier II Research Chair and a Premier's Research of Excellence Award.


   Footnotes
 
Published online ahead of print. Publication date available at www.jasn.org

Supplemental information for this article is available online at http://www.jasn.org/


   References
Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 

  1. Kreidberg JA: Podocyte differentiation and glomerulogenesis. J Am Soc Nephrol 14 : 806 –814, 2003[Free Full Text]
  2. Quaggin, SE: Transcriptional regulation of podocyte specification and differentiation. Microsc Res Tech 57 : 208 –211, 2002[CrossRef][Medline]
  3. Cui S, Schwartz L, Quaggin SE: Pod1 is required in stromal cells for glomerulogenesis. Dev Dyn 226 : 512 –522, 2003[CrossRef][Medline]
  4. Quaggin SE, Schwartz L, Post M, Rossant J: The basic-helix-loop-helix protein Pod-1 is critically important for kidney and lung organogenesis. Development 126 : 5771 –5783, 1999[Abstract]
  5. Lu J, Richardson JA, Olson EN: Capsulin: A novel bHLH transcription factor expressed in epicardial progenitors and mesenchyme of visceral organs. Mech Dev 73 : 23 –32, 1998[CrossRef][Medline]
  6. Cui S, Li S, Quaggin SE: Pod1 is required for podocyte and endothelial cell differentiation in glomerulus. Presented at the annual meeting of American Society of Nephrology; 2004; St. Louis
  7. Takemoto M, Asker N, Gerhardt H, Lundkvist A, Johansson BR, Saito Y, Betsholtz C: A new method for large scale isolation of kidney glomeruli from mice. Am J Pathol 161 : 799 –805, 2002[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  8. Wong MA, Cui S, Quaggin SE: Identification and characterization of a glomerular-specific promoter from the human nephrin gene. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 279 : F1027 –F1032, 2000[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  9. Quaggin SE, Vanden Heuvel GB, Igarashi P: Pod-1, a mesoderm-specific basic-helix-loop-helix protein expressed in mesenchymal and glomerular epithelial cells in the developing kidney. Mech Dev 71 : 37 –48, 1998[CrossRef][Medline]
  10. Fredman P, Mansson JE, Svennerholm L, Samuelsson B, Pascher I, Pimlott W, Karlsson KA, Klinghardt GW: Chemical structures of three fucogangliosides isolated from nervous tissue of mini-pig. Eur J Biochem 116 : 553 –564, 1981[Medline]
  11. Braet F, De Zanger R, Wisse E: Drying cells for SEM, AFM and TEM by hexamethyldisilazane: A study on hepatic endothelial cells. J Microsc 186 : 84 –87, 1997[Medline]
  12. Denda S, Reichardt LF, Muller U: Identification of osteopontin as a novel ligand for the integrin alpha8 beta1 and potential roles for this integrin-ligand interaction in kidney morphogenesis. Mol Biol Cell 9 : 1425 –1435, 1998[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  13. Muller U, Wang D, Denda S, Meneses JJ, Pedersen RA, Reichardt LF: Integrin alpha8beta1 is critically important for epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during kidney morphogenesis. Cell 88 : 603 –613, 1997[CrossRef][Medline]
  14. Haas CS, Amann K, Schittny J, Blaser B, Muller U, Hartner A: Glomerular and renal vascular structural changes in alpha8 integrin-deficient mice. J Am Soc Nephrol 14 : 2288 –2296, 2003[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  15. Bieritz B, Spessotto P, Colombatti A, Jahn A, Prols F, Hartner A: Role of alpha8 integrin in mesangial cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation. Kidney Int 64 : 119 –127, 2003[CrossRef][Medline]
  16. Cui S, Ross A, Stallings N, Parker K, Capel B, Quaggin SE: Disrupted gonadogenesis and male-to-female sex reversal in Pod1 knockout mice. Development. 131 : 4095 –4105, 2004[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  17. Denda S: [The role of integrin alpha 8 beta 1 in kidney morphogenesis]. Tanpakushitsu Kakusan Koso 44 : 136 –142, 1999[Medline]
  18. Schnapp LM, Breuss JM, Ramos DM, Sheppard D, Pytela R: Sequence and tissue distribution of the human integrin alpha 8 subunit: A beta 1-associated alpha subunit expressed in smooth muscle cells. J Cell Sci 108 : 537 –544, 1995[Abstract]
  19. Hyink DP, Abrahamson DR: Origin of the glomerular vasculature in the developing kidney. Semin Nephrol 15 : 300 –314, 1995[Medline]
Received for publication March 14, 2005. Accepted for publication August 4, 2005.


Related Article

This Month’s Highlights
J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 2005 16: 3137-3138. [Full Text] [PDF]



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Physiol. GenomicsHome page
L. Yu, J. E. Coelho, X. Zhang, Y. Fu, A. Tillman, U. Karaoz, B. B. Fredholm, Z. Weng, and J.-F. Chen
Uncovering multiple molecular targets for caffeine using a drug target validation strategy combining A2A receptor knockout mice with microarray profiling
Physiol Genomics, May 13, 2009; 37(3): 199 - 210.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 HypertensionHome page
F. Yi, M. Xia, N. Li, C. Zhang, L. Tang, and P.-L. Li
Contribution of Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor Vav2 to Hyperhomocysteinemic Glomerulosclerosis in Rats
Hypertension, January 1, 2009; 53(1): 90 - 96.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Am. Soc. Nephrol.Home page
A. M. Waters, M. Y.J. Wu, T. Onay, J. Scutaru, J. Liu, C. G. Lobe, S. E. Quaggin, and T. D. Piscione
Ectopic Notch Activation in Developing Podocytes Causes Glomerulosclerosis
J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., June 1, 2008; 19(6): 1139 - 1157.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Am. Soc. Nephrol.Home page
S. Tran, Y.-W. Chen, I. Chenier, J. S.D. Chan, S. Quaggin, M.-J. Hebert, J. R. Ingelfinger, and S.-L. Zhang
Maternal Diabetes Modulates Renal Morphogenesis in Offspring
J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., May 1, 2008; 19(5): 943 - 952.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Am. Soc. Nephrol.Home page
M. R. Vaughan and S. E. Quaggin
How Do Mesangial and Endothelial Cells Form the Glomerular Tuft?
J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., January 1, 2008; 19(1): 24 - 33.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Data Supplement
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
ASN.2005030278v1
16/11/3247    most recent
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Cui, S.
Right arrow Articles by Quaggin, S. E.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Cui, S.
Right arrow Articles by Quaggin, S. E.
Related Collections
Right arrowRelated Article

HOME CURRENT ISSUE ARCHIVES JASN Express ONLINE SUBMISSION AUTHOR INFO
EDITORIAL BOARD SUBSCRIBE FEEDBACK ALERTS HELP