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García-Valdespino F, Elizalde-Velázquez GA, Herrera-Vázquez SE, Gómez-Oliván LM. Captopril's influence on Danio rerio embryonic development: Unveiling significant toxic outcomes at environmentally relevant concentrations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 933:173179. [PMID: 38750761 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Anticipating a global increase in cardiovascular diseases, there is an expected surge in the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, notably captopril (CAP). This heightened usage raises significant environmental apprehensions, mainly due to limited knowledge regarding CAP's toxic effects on aquatic species. In response to these concerns, the current study aimed to tackle this knowledge gap by evaluating the potential influence of nominal concentrations of CAP (0.2-2000 μg/L) on the embryonic development of Danio rerio. The findings revealed that CAP at all concentrations, even at concentrations considered environmentally significant (0.2 and 2 μg/L), induced various malformations in the embryos, ultimately leading to their mortality. Main malformations included pericardial edema, craniofacial malformation, scoliosis, tail deformation, and yolk sac deformation. In addition, CAP significantly altered the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase across all concentrations. Simultaneously, it elevated lipid peroxidation levels, hydroperoxides, and carbonylic proteins in the embryos, eliciting a substantial oxidative stress response. Likewise, CAP, at all concentrations, exerted significant modulatory effects on the expression of genes associated with apoptosis (bax, bcl2, p53, and casp3), organogenesis (tbx2a, tbx2b, and irx3b), and ion exchange (slc12a1 and kcnj1) in Danio rerio embryos. Both augmentation and reduction in the expression levels of these genes characterized this modulation. The Pearson correlation analysis indicated a close association between oxidative damage biomarkers and the expression patterns of all examined genes with the elevated incidence of malformations and mortality in the embryos. In summary, it can be deduced that CAP poses a threat to aquatic species. Nevertheless, further research is imperative to enhance our understanding of the environmental implications of this pharmaceutical compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando García-Valdespino
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Gustavo Axel Elizalde-Velázquez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Selene Elizabeth Herrera-Vázquez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Leobardo Manuel Gómez-Oliván
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico.
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Chambers BE, Weaver NE, Lara CM, Nguyen TK, Wingert RA. (Zebra)fishing for nephrogenesis genes. Tissue Barriers 2024; 12:2219605. [PMID: 37254823 PMCID: PMC11042071 DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2023.2219605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Kidney disease is a devastating condition affecting millions of people worldwide, where over 100,000 patients in the United States alone remain waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Concomitant with a surge in personalized medicine, single-gene mutations, and polygenic risk alleles have been brought to the forefront as core causes of a spectrum of renal disorders. With the increasing prevalence of kidney disease, it is imperative to make substantial strides in the field of kidney genetics. Nephrons, the core functional units of the kidney, are epithelial tubules that act as gatekeepers of body homeostasis by absorbing and secreting ions, water, and small molecules to filter the blood. Each nephron contains a series of proximal and distal segments with explicit metabolic functions. The embryonic zebrafish provides an ideal platform to systematically dissect the genetic cues governing kidney development. Here, we review the use of zebrafish to discover nephrogenesis genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke E. Chambers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
| | - Nicole E. Weaver
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
| | - Caroline M. Lara
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
| | - Thanh Khoa Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
| | - Rebecca A. Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
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Wang L, Liang C, Zheng N, Yang C, Yan S, Wang X, Zuo Z, He C. Kidney injury contributes to edema of zebrafish larvae caused by quantum dots. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168420. [PMID: 37963533 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Edema represents a notable outcome in fishes exposed to aquatic pollutants, yet the underlying etiology remains inadequately understood. This investigation delves into the etiological factors of edema formation in 7 days post fertilization (dpf) zebrafish larvae following their exposure to InP/ZnS quantum dots (QDs), which was chosen as a prototypical edema inducer. Given the fundamental role of the kidney in osmoregulation, we used transgenic zebrafish lines featuring fluorescent protein labeling of the glomerulus, renal tubule, and blood vessels, in conjunction with histopathological scrutiny. We identified the pronounced morphological and structural aberrations within the pronephros. By means of tissue mass spectrometry imaging and hyperspectral microscopy, we discerned the accumulation of InP/ZnS QDs in the pronephros. Moreover, InP/ZnS QDs impeded the renal clearance capacity of the pronephros, as substantiated by diminished uptake of FITC-dextran. InP/ZnS QDs also disturbed the expression levels of marker genes associated with kidney development and osmoregulatory function at the earlier time points, which preceded the onset of edema. These results suggest that impaired fluid clearance most likely resulting from pronephros injury contributes to the emergence of zebrafish edema. Briefly, our study provides a perspective: the kidney developmental injury induced by exogenous substances may regulate edema in a zebrafish model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luanjin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Department of Nephrology, Fujian Clinical Research Center for Chronic Glomerular Disease, The Fifth Hospital of Xiamen, Xiang'an Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Cixin Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Department of Nephrology, Fujian Clinical Research Center for Chronic Glomerular Disease, The Fifth Hospital of Xiamen, Xiang'an Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Naying Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Department of Nephrology, Fujian Clinical Research Center for Chronic Glomerular Disease, The Fifth Hospital of Xiamen, Xiang'an Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Chunyan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Department of Nephrology, Fujian Clinical Research Center for Chronic Glomerular Disease, The Fifth Hospital of Xiamen, Xiang'an Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Sen Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (i-ChEM), Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (i-ChEM), Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Zhenghong Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Department of Nephrology, Fujian Clinical Research Center for Chronic Glomerular Disease, The Fifth Hospital of Xiamen, Xiang'an Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Department of Endocrinology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Chengyong He
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Department of Nephrology, Fujian Clinical Research Center for Chronic Glomerular Disease, The Fifth Hospital of Xiamen, Xiang'an Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Department of Endocrinology, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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Ka HI, Cho M, Kwon SH, Mun SH, Han S, Kim MJ, Yang Y. IK is essentially involved in ciliogenesis as an upstream regulator of oral-facial-digital syndrome ciliopathy gene, ofd1. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:195. [PMID: 37898820 PMCID: PMC10612314 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01146-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cilia are microtubule-based organelles that protrude from the cell surface. Abnormalities in cilia result in various ciliopathies, including polycystic kidney disease (PKD), Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS), and oral-facial-digital syndrome type I (OFD1), which show genetic defects associated with cilia formation. Although an increasing number of human diseases is attributed to ciliary defects, the functions or regulatory mechanisms of several ciliopathy genes remain unclear. Because multi ciliated cells (MCCs) are especially deep in vivo, studying ciliogenesis is challenging. Here, we demonstrate that ik is essential for ciliogenesis in vivo. RESULTS In the absence of ik, zebrafish embryos showed various ciliopathy phenotypes, such as body curvature, abnormal otoliths, and cyst formation in the kidney. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that ik positively regulated ofd1 expression required for cilium assembly. In fact, depletion of ik resulted in the downregulation of ofd1 expression with ciliary defects, and these ciliary defects in ik mutants were rescued by restoring ofd1 expression. Interestingly, ik affected ciliogenesis particularly in the proximal tubule but not in the distal tubule in the kidney. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the role of ik in ciliogenesis in vivo for the first time. Loss of ik in zebrafish embryos displays various ciliopathy phenotypes with abnormal ciliary morphology in ciliary tissues. Our findings on the ik-ofd1 axis provide new insights into the biological function of ik in clinical ciliopathy studies in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye In Ka
- Research Institute of Women's Health, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04312, South Korea
- Chronic and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04312, South Korea
| | - Mina Cho
- Research Institute of Women's Health, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04312, South Korea
| | - Seung-Hae Kwon
- Seoul Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Se Hwan Mun
- Research Institute of Women's Health, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04312, South Korea
- Chronic and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04312, South Korea
| | - Sora Han
- Research Institute of Women's Health, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04312, South Korea
| | - Min Jung Kim
- Research Institute of Women's Health, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04312, South Korea.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04312, South Korea.
| | - Young Yang
- Research Institute of Women's Health, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04312, South Korea.
- Chronic and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04312, South Korea.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04312, South Korea.
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Nguyen TK, Petrikas M, Chambers BE, Wingert RA. Principles of Zebrafish Nephron Segment Development. J Dev Biol 2023; 11:jdb11010014. [PMID: 36976103 PMCID: PMC10052950 DOI: 10.3390/jdb11010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nephrons are the functional units which comprise the kidney. Each nephron contains a number of physiologically unique populations of specialized epithelial cells that are organized into discrete domains known as segments. The principles of nephron segment development have been the subject of many studies in recent years. Understanding the mechanisms of nephrogenesis has enormous potential to expand our knowledge about the basis of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), and to contribute to ongoing regenerative medicine efforts aimed at identifying renal repair mechanisms and generating replacement kidney tissue. The study of the zebrafish embryonic kidney, or pronephros, provides many opportunities to identify the genes and signaling pathways that control nephron segment development. Here, we describe recent advances of nephron segment patterning and differentiation in the zebrafish, with a focus on distal segment formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh Khoa Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Madeline Petrikas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Brooke E Chambers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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6
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Da'as SI, Ahmed I, Hasan WH, Abdelrahman DA, Aliyev E, Nisar S, Bhat AA, Joglekar MV, Hardikar AA, Fakhro KA, Akil ASAS. The link between glycemic control measures and eye microvascular complications in a clinical cohort of type 2 diabetes with microRNA-223-3p signature. J Transl Med 2023; 21:171. [PMID: 36869348 PMCID: PMC9985290 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-03893-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a critical healthcare challenge and priority in Qatar which is listed amongst the top 10 countries in the world, with its prevalence presently at 17% double the global average. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of (T2D) and long-term microvascular complications including diabetic retinopathy (DR). METHODS In this study, a T2D cohort that accurately matches the characteristics of the general population was employed to find microRNA (miRNA) signatures that are correlated with glycemic and β cell function measurements. Targeted miRNA profiling was performed in (471) T2D individuals with or without DR and (491) (non-diabetic) healthy controls from the Qatar Biobank. Discovery analysis identified 20 differentially expressed miRNAs in T2D compared to controls, of which miR-223-3p was significantly upregulated (fold change:5.16, p = 3.6e-02) and positively correlated with glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels (p-value = 9.88e-04 and 1.64e-05, respectively), but did not show any significant associations with insulin or C-peptide. Accordingly, we performed functional validation using a miR-223-3p mimic (overexpression) under control and hyperglycemia-induced conditions in a zebrafish model. RESULTS Over-expression of miR-223-3p alone was associated with significantly higher glucose (42.7 mg/dL, n = 75 vs 38.7 mg/dL, n = 75, p = 0.02) and degenerated retinal vasculature, and altered retinal morphology involving changes in the ganglion cell layer and inner and outer nuclear layers. Assessment of retinal angiogenesis revealed significant upregulation in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors, including kinase insert domain receptor. Further, the pancreatic markers, pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1, and the insulin gene expressions were upregulated in the miR-223-3p group. CONCLUSION Our zebrafish model validates a novel correlation between miR-223-3p and DR development. Targeting miR-223-3p in T2D patients may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy to control DR in at-risk individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar I Da'as
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar.,Zebrafish Functional Genomics, Integrated Genomic Services Core Facility, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar.,College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, P.O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ikhlak Ahmed
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Waseem H Hasan
- Zebrafish Functional Genomics, Integrated Genomic Services Core Facility, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Doua A Abdelrahman
- Zebrafish Functional Genomics, Integrated Genomic Services Core Facility, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Elbay Aliyev
- Laboratory of Genomic Medicine-Precision Medicine Program, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sabah Nisar
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ajaz Ahmad Bhat
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mugdha V Joglekar
- Diabetes and Islet Biology Group, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Narellan Road & Gilchrist Drive, Campbelltown, NSW, 2560, Australia
| | - Anandwardhan A Hardikar
- Diabetes and Islet Biology Group, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Narellan Road & Gilchrist Drive, Campbelltown, NSW, 2560, Australia.,Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Universitetsvej 1, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Khalid A Fakhro
- Laboratory of Genomic Medicine-Precision Medicine Program, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar.,College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, P.O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, P.O. Box 24144, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ammira S Al-Shabeeb Akil
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar. .,Laboratory of Genomic Medicine-Precision Medicine Program, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar.
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7
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Sopel N, Müller-Deile J. Zebrafish Model to Study Podocyte Function Within the Glomerular Filtration Barrier. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2664:145-157. [PMID: 37423988 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3179-9_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish model has been used in many different fields of research because of its high homology to the human genome, its easy genetic manipulation, its high fecundity, and its rapid development. For glomerular diseases, zebrafish larvae have proven to be a versatile tool to study the contribution of different genes, because the zebrafish pronephros is very comparable to the human kidney in function and ultrastructure. Here we describe the principle and use of a simple screening assay based on the measurement of the fluorescence in the retinal vessel plexus of the Tg(l-fabp:DBP:eGFP) zebrafish line ("eye assay") to indirectly determine proteinuria as a hallmark of podocyte dysfunction. Furthermore, we illustrate how to analyze the obtained data and outline methods to attribute the findings to podocyte impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Sopel
- Department of Medicine 4 - Nephrology and Hypertension, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Friedrich-Alexander Universiät Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Corkins ME, Achieng M, DeLay BD, Krneta-Stankic V, Cain MP, Walker BL, Chen J, Lindström NO, Miller RK. A comparative study of cellular diversity between the Xenopus pronephric and mouse metanephric nephron. Kidney Int 2023; 103:77-86. [PMID: 36055600 PMCID: PMC9822858 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2022.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The kidney is an essential organ that ensures bodily fluid homeostasis and removes soluble waste products from the organism. Nephrons, the functional units of the kidney, comprise a blood filter, the glomerulus or glomus, and an epithelial tubule that processes the filtrate from the blood or coelom and selectively reabsorbs solutes, such as sugars, proteins, ions, and water, leaving waste products to be eliminated in the urine. Genes coding for transporters are segmentally expressed, enabling the nephron to sequentially process the filtrate. The Xenopus embryonic kidney, the pronephros, which consists of a single large nephron, has served as a valuable model to identify genes involved in nephron formation and patterning. Therefore, the developmental patterning program that generates these segments is of great interest. Prior work has defined the gene expression profiles of Xenopus nephron segments via in situ hybridization strategies, but a comprehensive understanding of the cellular makeup of the pronephric kidney remains incomplete. Here, we carried out single-cell mRNA sequencing of the functional Xenopus pronephric nephron and evaluated its cellular composition through comparative analyses with previous Xenopus studies and single-cell mRNA sequencing of the adult mouse kidney. This study reconstructs the cellular makeup of the pronephric kidney and identifies conserved cells, segments, and associated gene expression profiles. Thus, our data highlight significant conservation in podocytes, proximal and distal tubule cells, and divergence in cellular composition underlying the capacity of each nephron to remove wastes in the form of urine, while emphasizing the Xenopus pronephros as a model for physiology and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E Corkins
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Research Center, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
| | - MaryAnne Achieng
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Bridget D DeLay
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Research Center, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Vanja Krneta-Stankic
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Research Center, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth Houston, Houston, Texas, USA; Program in Genes and Development, MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Margo P Cain
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Brandy L Walker
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Research Center, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth Houston, Houston, Texas, USA; Program in Genetics and Epigenetics, MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jichao Chen
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Program in Genetics and Epigenetics, MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Nils O Lindström
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rachel K Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Research Center, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth Houston, Houston, Texas, USA; Program in Genetics and Epigenetics, MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Program in Biochemistry and Cell Biology, MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USA.
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9
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Wesselman HM, Gatz AE, Wingert RA. Visualizing multiciliated cells in the zebrafish. Methods Cell Biol 2023; 175:129-161. [PMID: 36967138 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Ciliated cells serve vital functions in the body ranging from mechano- and chemo-sensing to fluid propulsion. Specialized cells with bundles dozens to hundreds of motile cilia known as multiciliated cells (MCCs) are essential as well, where they direct fluid movement in locations such as the respiratory, central nervous and reproductive systems. Intriguingly, the appearance of MCCs has been noted in the kidney in several disease conditions, but knowledge about their contributions to the pathobiology of these states has remained a mystery. As the mechanisms contributing to ciliopathic diseases are not yet fully understood, animal models serve as valuable tools for studying cilia development and how alterations in ciliated cell function impacts disease progression. Like other vertebrates, the zebrafish, Danio rerio, has numerous ciliated tissues. Among these, the embryonic kidney (or pronephros) is comprised of both monociliated cells and MCCs and therefore provides a setting to investigate both ciliated cell fate choice and ciliogenesis. Considering the zebrafish nephron resembles the segmentation and function of human nephrons, the zebrafish provide a tractable model for studying conserved ciliogenesis pathways in vivo. In this chapter, we provide an overview of ciliated cells with a special focus on MCCs, and present a suite of methods that can be used to visualize ciliated cells and their features in the developing zebrafish. Further, these methods enable precise quantification of ciliated cell number and various cilia-related characteristics.
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10
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Wesselman HM, Nguyen TK, Chambers JM, Drummond BE, Wingert RA. Advances in Understanding the Genetic Mechanisms of Zebrafish Renal Multiciliated Cell Development. J Dev Biol 2022; 11:1. [PMID: 36648903 PMCID: PMC9844391 DOI: 10.3390/jdb11010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cilia are microtubule-based organelles that project from the cell surface. In humans and other vertebrates, possession of a single cilium structure enables an assortment of cellular processes ranging from mechanosensation to fluid propulsion and locomotion. Interestingly, cells can possess a single cilium or many more, where so-called multiciliated cells (MCCs) possess apical membrane complexes with several dozen or even hundreds of motile cilia that beat in a coordinated fashion. Development of MCCs is, therefore, integral to control fluid flow and/or cellular movement in various physiological processes. As such, MCC dysfunction is associated with numerous pathological states. Understanding MCC ontogeny can be used to address congenital birth defects as well as acquired disease conditions. Today, researchers used both in vitro and in vivo experimental models to address our knowledge gaps about MCC specification and differentiation. In this review, we summarize recent discoveries from our lab and others that have illuminated new insights regarding the genetic pathways that direct MCC ontogeny in the embryonic kidney using the power of the zebrafish animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Rebecca A. Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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11
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Schmidt P, Leman E, Lagadec R, Schubert M, Mazan S, Reshef R. Evolutionary Transition in the Regulation of Vertebrate Pronephros Development: A New Role for Retinoic Acid. Cells 2022; 11:1304. [PMID: 35455988 PMCID: PMC9026449 DOI: 10.3390/cells11081304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The anterior-posterior (AP) axis in chordates is regulated by a conserved set of genes and signaling pathways, including Hox genes and retinoic acid (RA), which play well-characterized roles in the organization of the chordate body plan. The intermediate mesoderm (IM), which gives rise to all vertebrate kidneys, is an example of a tissue that differentiates sequentially along this axis. Yet, the conservation of the spatiotemporal regulation of the IM across vertebrates remains poorly understood. In this study, we used a comparative developmental approach focusing on non-conventional model organisms, a chondrichthyan (catshark), a cyclostome (lamprey), and a cephalochordate (amphioxus), to assess the involvement of RA in the regulation of chordate and vertebrate pronephros formation. We report that the anterior expression boundary of early pronephric markers (Pax2 and Lim1), positioned at the level of somite 6 in amniotes, is conserved in the catshark and the lamprey. Furthermore, RA, driving the expression of Hox4 genes like in amniotes, regulates the anterior pronephros boundary in the catshark. We find no evidence for the involvement of this regulatory hierarchy in the AP positioning of the lamprey pronephros and the amphioxus pronephros homolog, Hatschek's nephridium. This suggests that despite the conservation of Pax2 and Lim1 expressions in chordate pronephros homologs, the responsiveness of the IM, and hence of pronephric genes, to RA- and Hox-dependent regulation is a gnathostome novelty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Schmidt
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (P.S.); (E.L.)
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer, Institut de la Mer de Villefranche, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 06230 Villefranche-sur-Mer, France;
| | - Eva Leman
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (P.S.); (E.L.)
| | - Ronan Lagadec
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, UMR7232-Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins (BIOM), Observatoire Océanologique, 66650 Banyuls-sur-Mer, France; (R.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Michael Schubert
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer, Institut de la Mer de Villefranche, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 06230 Villefranche-sur-Mer, France;
| | - Sylvie Mazan
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, UMR7232-Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins (BIOM), Observatoire Océanologique, 66650 Banyuls-sur-Mer, France; (R.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Ram Reshef
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (P.S.); (E.L.)
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12
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Bolten JS, Pratsinis A, Alter CL, Fricker G, Huwyler J. Zebrafish ( Danio rerio) larva as an in vivo vertebrate model to study renal function. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2022; 322:F280-F294. [PMID: 35037468 PMCID: PMC8858672 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00375.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an increasing interest in using zebrafish (Danio rerio) larva as a vertebrate screening model to study drug disposition. As the pronephric kidney of zebrafish larvae shares high similarity with the anatomy of nephrons in higher vertebrates including humans, we explored in this study whether 3- to 4-day-old zebrafish larvae have a fully functional pronephron. Intravenous injection of fluorescent polyethylene glycol and dextran derivatives of different molecular weight revealed a cutoff of 4.4-7.6 nm in hydrodynamic diameter for passive glomerular filtration, which is in agreement with corresponding values in rodents and humans. Distal tubular reabsorption of a FITC-folate conjugate, covalently modified with PEG2000, via folate receptor 1 was shown. Transport experiments of fluorescent substrates were assessed in the presence and absence of specific inhibitors in the blood systems. Thereby, functional expression in the proximal tubule of organic anion transporter oat (slc22) multidrug resistance-associated protein mrp1 (abcc1), mrp2 (abcc2), mrp4 (abcc4), and zebrafish larva p-glycoprotein analog abcb4 was shown. In addition, nonrenal clearance of fluorescent substrates and plasma protein binding characteristics were assessed in vivo. The results of transporter experiments were confirmed by extrapolation to ex vivo experiments in killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) proximal kidney tubules. We conclude that the zebrafish larva has a fully functional pronephron at 96 h postfertilization and is therefore an attractive translational vertebrate screening model to bridge the gap between cell culture-based test systems and pharmacokinetic experiments in higher vertebrates.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The study of renal function remains a challenge. In vitro cell-based assays are approved to study, e.g., ABC/SLC-mediated drug transport but do not cover other renal functions such as glomerular filtration. Here, in vivo studies combined with in vitro assays are needed, which are time consuming and expensive. In view of these limitations, our proof-of-concept study demonstrates that the zebrafish larva is a translational in vivo test model that allows for mechanistic investigations to study renal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Stephan Bolten
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anna Pratsinis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claudio Luca Alter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gert Fricker
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Salsbury Cove, Bar Harbor, Maine
| | - Jörg Huwyler
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Salsbury Cove, Bar Harbor, Maine
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13
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Visualizing multiciliated cells in the zebrafish. Methods Cell Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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14
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The Zebrafish Model to Understand Epigenetics in Renal Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179152. [PMID: 34502062 PMCID: PMC8431166 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications are able to alter gene expression and include DNA methylation, different histone variants, and post-transcriptional modifications (PTMs), such as acetylation or phosphorylation, and through short/long RNAs, respectively. In this review, we focus on current knowledge concerning epigenetic modifications in gene regulation. We describe different forms of epigenetic modifications and explain how epigenetic changes can be detected. The relevance of epigenetics in renal diseases is highlighted with multiple examples and the use of the zebrafish model to study glomerular diseases in general and epigenetics in renal diseases in particular is discussed. We end with an outlook on how to use epigenetic modifications as a therapeutic target for different diseases. Here, the zebrafish model can be employed as a high-throughput screening tool not only to discover epigenetic alterations contributing to disease, but also to test novel substances that change epigenetic signatures in vivo. Therefore, the zebrafish model harbors the opportunity to find novel pathogenic pathways allowing a pre-selection of potential targets and compounds to be tested for renal diseases.
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15
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Chambers BE, Clark EG, Gatz AE, Wingert RA. Kctd15 regulates nephron segment development by repressing Tfap2a activity. Development 2020; 147:dev.191973. [PMID: 33028614 DOI: 10.1242/dev.191973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A functional vertebrate kidney relies on structural units called nephrons, which are epithelial tubules with a sequence of segments each expressing a distinct repertoire of solute transporters. The transcriptiona`l codes driving regional specification, solute transporter program activation and terminal differentiation of segment populations remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the KCTD15 paralogs kctd15a and kctd15b function in concert to restrict distal early (DE)/thick ascending limb (TAL) segment lineage assignment in the developing zebrafish pronephros by repressing Tfap2a activity. During renal ontogeny, expression of these factors colocalized with tfap2a in distal tubule precursors. kctd15a/b loss primed nephron cells to adopt distal fates by driving slc12a1, kcnj1a.1 and stc1 expression. These phenotypes were the result of Tfap2a hyperactivity, where kctd15a/b-deficient embryos exhibited increased abundance of this transcription factor. Interestingly, tfap2a reciprocally promoted kctd15a and kctd15b transcription, unveiling a circuit of autoregulation operating in nephron progenitors. Concomitant kctd15b knockdown with tfap2a overexpression further expanded the DE population. Our study reveals that a transcription factor-repressor feedback module employs tight regulation of Tfap2a and Kctd15 kinetics to control nephron segment fate choice and differentiation during kidney development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke E Chambers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Eleanor G Clark
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Allison E Gatz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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16
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Meng P, Zhu M, Ling X, Zhou L. Wnt signaling in kidney: the initiator or terminator? J Mol Med (Berl) 2020; 98:1511-1523. [PMID: 32939578 PMCID: PMC7591426 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-020-01978-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The kidney is a key organ in the human body that excretes toxins and sustains the water-electrolyte balance. During embryonic development and disease progression, the kidney undergoes enormous changes in macrostructure, accompanied by a variety of microstructural histological changes, such as glomerular formation and sclerosis, tubule elongation and atrophy, interstitial establishment, and fibrosis progression. All of these rely on the frequent occurrence of cell death and growth. Notably, to overcome disease, some cells regenerate through self-repair or progenitor cell differentiation. However, the signaling mechanisms underlying kidney development and regeneration have not been elucidated. Recently, Wnt signaling has been noted to play an important role. Although it is a well-known developmental signal, the role of Wnt signaling in kidney development and regeneration is not well recognized. In this review, we review the role of Wnt signaling in kidney embryonic development, tissue repair, cell division, and progenitor cell differentiation after injury. Moreover, we briefly highlight advances in our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of Wnt signaling in mediating cellular senescence in kidney parenchymal and stem cells, an irreversible arrest of cell proliferation blocking tissue repair and regeneration. We also highlight the therapeutic targets of Wnt signaling in kidney diseases and provide important clues for clinical strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Ave, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Department of Nephrology, Huadu District People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingsheng Zhu
- Department of Nephrology, The People's Hospital of Gaozhou, Maoming, China
| | - Xian Ling
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Ave, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Lili Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Ave, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China.
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17
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Burggren W, Bautista N. Invited review: Development of acid-base regulation in vertebrates. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2019; 236:110518. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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18
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Sander V, Salleh L, Naylor RW, Schierding W, Sontam D, O’Sullivan JM, Davidson AJ. Transcriptional profiling of the zebrafish proximal tubule. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2019; 317:F478-F488. [DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00174.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatocyte nuclear factor-1β (Hnf1b) transcription factor is a key regulator of kidney tubule formation and is associated with a syndrome of renal cysts and early onset diabetes. To further our understanding of Hnf1b in the developing zebrafish kidney, we performed RNA sequencing analysis of proximal tubules from hnf1b-deficient larvae. This analysis revealed an enrichment of gene transcripts encoding transporters of the solute carrier (SLC) superfamily, including multiple members of slc2 and slc5 glucose transporters. An investigation of expression of slc2a1a, slc2a2, and slc5a2 as well as a poorly studied glucose/mannose transporter encoded by slc5a9 revealed that these genes undergo dynamic spatiotemporal changes during tubule formation and maturation. A comparative analysis of zebrafish SLC genes with those expressed in mouse proximal tubules showed a substantial overlap at the level of gene families, indicating a high degree of functional conservation between zebrafish and mammalian proximal tubules. Taken together, our findings are consistent with a role for Hnf1b as a critical determinant of proximal tubule transport function by acting upstream of a large number of SLC genes and validate the zebrafish as a physiologically relevant model of the mammalian proximal tubule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Sander
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Liam Salleh
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard W. Naylor
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Dharani Sontam
- The Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Alan J. Davidson
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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19
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Abstract
The vertebrate kidney is comprised of functional units known as nephrons. Defects in nephron development or activity are a common feature of kidney disease. Current medical treatments are unable to ameliorate the dire consequences of nephron deficit or injury. Although there have been tremendous advancements in our understanding of nephron ontogeny and the response to damage, many significant knowledge gaps still remain. The zebrafish embryo kidney, or pronephros, is an ideal model for many renal development and regeneration studies because it is comprised of nephrons that share conserved features with the nephron units that comprise the mammalian metanephric kidney. In this chapter, we provide an overview about the benefits of using the zebrafish pronephros to study the mechanisms underlying nephrogenesis as well as epithelial repair and regeneration. We subsequently detail methods for the spatiotemporal assessment of gene and protein expression in zebrafish embryos that can be used to extend the understanding of nephron development and disease, and thereby create new opportunities to identify therapeutic strategies for regenerative medicine.
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20
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Chambers BE, Gerlach GF, Clark EG, Chen KH, Levesque AE, Leshchiner I, Goessling W, Wingert RA. Tfap2a is a novel gatekeeper of nephron differentiation during kidney development. Development 2019; 146:dev.172387. [PMID: 31160420 DOI: 10.1242/dev.172387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Renal functional units known as nephrons undergo patterning events during development that create a segmental array of cellular compartments with discrete physiological identities. Here, from a forward genetic screen using zebrafish, we report the discovery that transcription factor AP-2 alpha (tfap2a) coordinates a gene regulatory network that activates the terminal differentiation program of distal segments in the pronephros. We found that tfap2a acts downstream of Iroquois homeobox 3b (irx3b), a distal lineage transcription factor, to operate a circuit consisting of tfap2b, irx1a and genes encoding solute transporters that dictate the specialized metabolic functions of distal nephron segments. Interestingly, this regulatory node is distinct from other checkpoints of differentiation, such as polarity establishment and ciliogenesis. Thus, our studies reveal insights into the genetic control of differentiation, where tfap2a is essential for regulating a suite of segment transporter traits at the final tier of zebrafish pronephros ontogeny. These findings have relevance for understanding renal birth defects, as well as efforts to recapitulate nephrogenesis in vivo to facilitate drug discovery and regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke E Chambers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Gary F Gerlach
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Eleanor G Clark
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Karen H Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Anna E Levesque
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Ignaty Leshchiner
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Genetics and Gastroenterology Division, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Wolfram Goessling
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Genetics and Gastroenterology Division, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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21
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Chambers BE, Wingert RA. Mechanisms of Nephrogenesis Revealed by Zebrafish Chemical Screen: Prostaglandin Signaling Modulates Nephron Progenitor Fate. Nephron Clin Pract 2019; 143:68-76. [PMID: 31216548 DOI: 10.1159/000501037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nephron development involves the creation of discrete segment populations that are specialized to fulfill unique physiological roles. As such, renal function is reliant on the proper execution of segment patterning programs. Despite the central importance of nephron segmentation, the genetic mechanisms that regulate this process are far from understood, in large part due to the experimental complexities and cost of interrogating these events in the mammalian metanephros. For this reason, forward genetics utilizing phenotypic screening in the zebrafish pronephros provides an avenue to gain novel insights about the mechanisms of nephron segmentation in the vertebrate kidney. Discoveries from zebrafish can highlight possible conserved pathways and provide a useful starting point for reverse genetic analyses with other animal models or in vitro approaches. In this review, we discuss the results of a novel chemical screen using the zebrafish to identify segmentation regulators. Through this screen, we identified for the first time that prostaglandin signaling can modulate nephron segmentation, and that it is normally requisite during development to mitigate segment fate choice in the embryonic kidney. We briefly discuss how these discoveries relate to current knowledge about nephron segmentation. Finally, we explore the possible implications of these findings for understanding renal ontogeny and disease, and how this knowledge may be useful for ongoing research initiatives that are aimed at deciphering how to build or rebuild the human kidney.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke E Chambers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA,
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22
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Iroquois transcription factor irx2a is required for multiciliated and transporter cell fate decisions during zebrafish pronephros development. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6454. [PMID: 31015532 PMCID: PMC6478698 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42943-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The genetic regulation of nephron patterning during kidney organogenesis remains poorly understood. Nephron tubules in zebrafish are composed of segment populations that have unique absorptive and secretory roles, as well as multiciliated cells (MCCs) that govern fluid flow. Here, we report that the transcription factor iroquois 2a (irx2a) is requisite for zebrafish nephrogenesis. irx2a transcripts localized to the developing pronephros and maturing MCCs, and loss of function altered formation of two segment populations and reduced MCC number. Interestingly, irx2a deficient embryos had reduced expression of an essential MCC gene ets variant 5a (etv5a), and were rescued by etv5a overexpression, supporting the conclusion that etv5a acts downstream of irx2a to control MCC ontogeny. Finally, we found that retinoic acid (RA) signaling affects the irx2a expression domain in renal progenitors, positioning irx2a downstream of RA. In sum, this work reveals new roles for irx2a during nephrogenesis, identifying irx2a as a crucial connection between RA signaling, segmentation, and the control of etv5a mediated MCC formation. Further investigation of the genetic players involved in these events will enhance our understanding of the molecular pathways that govern renal development, which can be used help create therapeutics to treat congenital and acquired kidney diseases.
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23
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Morales EE, Handa N, Drummond BE, Chambers JM, Marra AN, Addiego A, Wingert RA. Homeogene emx1 is required for nephron distal segment development in zebrafish. Sci Rep 2018; 8:18038. [PMID: 30575756 PMCID: PMC6303317 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36061-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate kidneys contain nephron functional units where specialized epithelial cell types are organized into segments with discrete physiological roles. Many gaps remain in our understanding of how segment regions develop. Here, we report that the transcription factor empty spiracles homeobox gene 1 (emx1) is a novel nephron segment regulator during embryonic kidney development in zebrafish. emx1 loss of function altered the domains of distal segments without changes in cell turnover or traits like size and morphology, indicating that emx1 directs distal segment fates during nephrogenesis. In exploring how emx1 influences nephron patterning, we found that retinoic acid (RA), a morphogen that induces proximal and represses distal segments, negatively regulates emx1 expression. Next, through a series of genetic studies, we found that emx1 acts downstream of a cascade involving mecom and tbx2b, which encode essential distal segment transcription factors. Finally, we determined that emx1 regulates the expression domains of irx3b and irx1a to control distal segmentation, and sim1a to control corpuscle of Stannius formation. Taken together, our work reveals for the first time that emx1 is a key component of the pronephros segmentation network, which has implications for understanding the genetic regulatory cascades that orchestrate vertebrate nephron patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvin E Morales
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Nicole Handa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Bridgette E Drummond
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Joseph M Chambers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Amanda N Marra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Amanda Addiego
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
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