1
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Wiener SV. Effects of the environment on the evolution of the vertebrate urinary tract. Nat Rev Urol 2023; 20:719-738. [PMID: 37443264 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-023-00794-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Evolution of the vertebrate urinary system occurs in response to numerous selective pressures, which have been incompletely characterized. Developing research into urinary evolution led to the occurrence of clinical applications and insights in paediatric urology, reproductive medicine, urolithiasis and other domains. Each nephron segment and urinary organ has functions that can be contextualized within an evolutionary framework. For example, the structure and function of the glomerulus and proximal tubule are highly conserved, enabling blood cells and proteins to be retained, and facilitating the elimination of oceanic Ca+ and Mg+. Urea emerged as an osmotic mediator during evolution, as cells of large organisms required increased precision in the internal regulation of salinity and solutes. As the first vertebrates moved from water to land, acid-base regulation was shifted from gills to skin and kidneys in amphibians. In reptiles and birds, solute regulation no longer occurred through the skin but through nasal salt glands and post-renally, within the cloaca and the rectum. In placental mammals, nasal salt glands are absent and the rectum and urinary tracts became separate, which limited post-renal urine concentration and led to the necessity of a kidney capable of high urine concentration. Considering the evolutionary and environmental selective pressures that have contributed to renal evolution can help to gain an increased understanding of renal physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott V Wiener
- Department of Urology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
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2
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Schindler M, Siegerist F, Lange T, Simm S, Bach SM, Klawitter M, Gehrig J, Gul S, Endlich N. A Novel High-Content Screening Assay Identified Belinostat as Protective in a FSGS-Like Zebrafish Model. J Am Soc Nephrol 2023; 34:1977-1990. [PMID: 37752628 PMCID: PMC10703078 DOI: 10.1681/asn.0000000000000235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND FSGS affects the complex three-dimensional morphology of podocytes, resulting in loss of filtration barrier function and the development of sclerotic lesions. Therapies to treat FSGS are limited, and podocyte-specific drugs are unavailable. To address the need for treatments to delay or stop FSGS progression, researchers are exploring the repurposing of drugs that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for other purposes. METHODS To identify drugs with potential to treat FSGS, we used a specific zebrafish screening strain to combine a high-content screening (HCS) approach with an in vivo model. This zebrafish screening strain expresses nitroreductase and the red fluorescent protein mCherry exclusively in podocytes (providing an indicator for podocyte depletion), as well as a circulating 78 kDa vitamin D-binding enhanced green fluorescent protein fusion protein (as a readout for proteinuria). To produce FSGS-like lesions in the zebrafish, we added 80 µ M metronidazole into the fish water. We used a specific screening microscope in conjunction with advanced image analysis methods to screen a library of 138 drugs and compounds (including some FDA-approved drugs) for podocyte-protective effects. Promising candidates were validated to be suitable for translational studies. RESULTS After establishing this novel in vivo HCS assay, we identified seven drugs or compounds that were protective in our FSGS-like model. Validation experiments confirmed that the FDA-approved drug belinostat was protective against larval FSGS. Similar pan-histone deacetylase inhibitors also showed potential to reproduce this effect. CONCLUSIONS Using an FSGS-like zebrafish model, we developed a novel in vivo HCS assay that identified belinostat and related pan-histone deacetylase inhibitors as potential candidates for treating FSGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Schindler
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Florian Siegerist
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Tim Lange
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Stefan Simm
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sophia-Marie Bach
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marianne Klawitter
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Endlich
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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3
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Drummond BE, Ercanbrack WS, Wingert RA. Modeling Podocyte Ontogeny and Podocytopathies with the Zebrafish. J Dev Biol 2023; 11:jdb11010009. [PMID: 36810461 PMCID: PMC9944608 DOI: 10.3390/jdb11010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Podocytes are exquisitely fashioned kidney cells that serve an essential role in the process of blood filtration. Congenital malformation or damage to podocytes has dire consequences and initiates a cascade of pathological changes leading to renal disease states known as podocytopathies. In addition, animal models have been integral to discovering the molecular pathways that direct the development of podocytes. In this review, we explore how researchers have used the zebrafish to illuminate new insights about the processes of podocyte ontogeny, model podocytopathies, and create opportunities to discover future therapies.
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4
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The challenge of dissecting gene function in model organisms: Tools to characterize genetic mutants and assess transcriptional adaptation in zebrafish. Methods Cell Biol 2023; 176:1-25. [PMID: 37164532 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Genome editing technologies including the CRISPR/Cas9 system have greatly improved our knowledge of gene function and biological processes, however, these approaches have also brought new challenges to determining genotype-phenotype correlations. In this chapter, we briefly review gene-editing technologies used in zebrafish and discuss the differences in phenotypes that can arise when gene expression is inhibited by anti-sense or by gene editing techniques. We outline possible explanations for why knockout phenotypes are milder, tissue-restricted, or even absent, compared with severe knockdown phenotypes. One proposed explanation is transcriptional adaptation, a form of genetic robustness that is induced by deleterious mutations but not gene knockdowns. Although much is unknown about what triggers this process, its relevance in shaping genome expression has been shown in multiple animal models. We recently explored if transcriptional adaptation could explain genotype-phenotype discrepancies seen between two zebrafish models of the centrosomal protein Cep290 deficiency. We compared cilia-related phenotypes in knockdown (anti-sense) and knockout (mutation) Cep290 models and showed that only cep290 gene mutation induces the upregulation of genes encoding the cilia-associated small GTPases Arl3, Arl13b, and Unc119b. Importantly, the ectopic expression of Arl3, Arl13b, and Unc119b in cep290 morphant zebrafish embryos rescued cilia defects. Here we provide protocols and experimental approaches that can be used to explore if transcriptional adaptation may be modulating gene expression in a zebrafish ciliary mutant model.
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5
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Naylor RW, Watson E, Williamson S, Preston R, Davenport JB, Thornton N, Lowe M, Williams M, Lennon R. Basement membrane defects in CD151-associated glomerular disease. Pediatr Nephrol 2022; 37:3105-3115. [PMID: 35278129 PMCID: PMC9587066 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-022-05447-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CD151 is a cell-surface molecule of the tetraspanin family. Its lateral interaction with laminin-binding integrin ɑ3β1 is important for podocyte adhesion to the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). Deletion of Cd151 in mice induces glomerular dysfunction, with proteinuria and associated focal glomerulosclerosis, disorganisation of GBM and tubular cystic dilation. Despite this, CD151 is not routinely screened for in patients with nephrotic-range proteinuria. We aimed to better understand the relevance of CD151 in human kidney disease. METHODS Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to detect the variant in CD151. Electron and light microscopy were used to visualise the filtration barrier in the patient kidney biopsy, and immunoreactivity of patient red blood cells to anti-CD151/MER2 antibodies was performed. Further validation of the CD151 variant as disease-causing was performed in zebrafish using CRISPR-Cas9. RESULTS We report a young child with nail dystrophy and persistent urinary tract infections who was incidentally found to have nephrotic-range proteinuria. Through targeted NGS, a novel, homozygous truncating variant was identified in CD151, a gene rarely reported in patients with nephrotic syndrome. Electron microscopy imaging of patient kidney tissue showed thickening of GBM and podocyte effacement. Immunofluorescence of patient kidney tissue demonstrated that CD151 was significantly reduced, and we did not detect immunoreactivity to CD151/MER2 on patient red blood cells. CRISPR-Cas9 depletion of cd151 in zebrafish caused proteinuria, which was rescued by injection of wild-type CD151 mRNA, but not CD151 mRNA containing the variant sequence. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that a novel variant in CD151 is associated with nephrotic-range proteinuria and microscopic haematuria and provides further evidence for a role of CD151 in glomerular disease. Our work highlights a functional testing pipeline for future analysis of patient genetic variants. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard W Naylor
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Elizabeth Watson
- South West Genomic Laboratory Hub, Bristol Genetics Laboratory, Pathology Sciences, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK
| | - Samantha Williamson
- Department of Paediatric Nephrology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Rebecca Preston
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - J Bernard Davenport
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Nicole Thornton
- International Blood Group Reference Laboratory, NHS Blood and Transplant, Filton, Bristol, UK
| | - Martin Lowe
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Maggie Williams
- South West Genomic Laboratory Hub, Bristol Genetics Laboratory, Pathology Sciences, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK
| | - Rachel Lennon
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
- Department of Paediatric Nephrology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
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Naylor RW, Lemarie E, Jackson-Crawford A, Davenport JB, Mironov A, Lowe M, Lennon R. A novel nanoluciferase transgenic reporter measures proteinuria in zebrafish. Kidney Int 2022; 102:815-827. [PMID: 35716957 DOI: 10.1101/2021.07.19.452884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish is an important animal system for modeling human diseases. This includes kidney dysfunction as the embryonic kidney (pronephros) shares considerable molecular and morphological homology with the human nephron. A key clinical indicator of kidney disease is proteinuria, but a high-throughput readout of proteinuria in the zebrafish is currently lacking. To remedy this, we used the Tol2 transposon system to generate a transgenic zebrafish line that uses the fabp10a liver-specific promoter to over-express a nanoluciferase molecule fused with the D3 domain of Receptor-Associated Protein (a type of molecular chaperone) which we term NL-D3. Using a luminometer, we quantified proteinuria in NL-D3 zebrafish larvae by measuring the intensity of luminescence in the embryo medium. In the healthy state, NL-D3 is not excreted, but when embryos were treated with chemicals that affected either proximal tubular reabsorption (cisplatin, gentamicin) or glomerular filtration (angiotensin II, Hanks Balanced Salt Solution, Bovine Serum Albumin), NL-D3 is detected in fish medium. Similarly, depletion of several gene products associated with kidney disease (nphs1, nphs2, lrp2a, ocrl, col4a3, and col4a4) also induced NL-D3 proteinuria. Treating col4a4 depleted zebrafish larvae (a model of Alport syndrome) with captopril reduced proteinuria in this system. Thus, our findings validate the use of the NL-D3 transgenic zebrafish as a robust and quantifiable proteinuria reporter. Hence, given the feasibility of high-throughput assays in zebrafish, this novel reporter will permit screening for drugs that ameliorate proteinuria, thereby prioritizing candidates for further translational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard W Naylor
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Emmanuel Lemarie
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | - J Bernard Davenport
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Aleksandr Mironov
- EM Core Facility (RRID: SCR_021147), Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Martin Lowe
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Rachel Lennon
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK; Department of Paediatric Nephrology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
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Naylor RW, Lemarie E, Jackson-Crawford A, Davenport JB, Mironov A, Lowe M, Lennon R. A novel nanoluciferase transgenic reporter measures proteinuria in zebrafish. Kidney Int 2022; 102:815-827. [PMID: 35716957 PMCID: PMC7614274 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2022.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The zebrafish is an important animal system for modeling human diseases. This includes kidney dysfunction as the embryonic kidney (pronephros) shares considerable molecular and morphological homology with the human nephron. A key clinical indicator of kidney disease is proteinuria, but a high-throughput readout of proteinuria in the zebrafish is currently lacking. To remedy this, we used the Tol2 transposon system to generate a transgenic zebrafish line that uses the fabp10a liver-specific promoter to over-express a nanoluciferase molecule fused with the D3 domain of Receptor-Associated Protein (a type of molecular chaperone) which we term NL-D3. Using a luminometer, we quantified proteinuria in NL-D3 zebrafish larvae by measuring the intensity of luminescence in the embryo medium. In the healthy state, NL-D3 is not excreted, but when embryos were treated with chemicals that affected either proximal tubular reabsorption (cisplatin, gentamicin) or glomerular filtration (angiotensin II, Hanks Balanced Salt Solution, Bovine Serum Albumin), NL-D3 is detected in fish medium. Similarly, depletion of several gene products associated with kidney disease (nphs1, nphs2, lrp2a, ocrl, col4a3, and col4a4) also induced NL-D3 proteinuria. Treating col4a4 depleted zebrafish larvae (a model of Alport syndrome) with captopril reduced proteinuria in this system. Thus, our findings validate the use of the NL-D3 transgenic zebrafish as a robust and quantifiable proteinuria reporter. Hence, given the feasibility of high-throughput assays in zebrafish, this novel reporter will permit screening for drugs that ameliorate proteinuria, thereby prioritizing candidates for further translational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard W Naylor
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Emmanuel Lemarie
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | - J Bernard Davenport
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Aleksandr Mironov
- EM Core Facility (RRID: SCR_021147), Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Martin Lowe
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Rachel Lennon
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK; Department of Paediatric Nephrology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
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8
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Lim S, Kang H, Kwon B, Lee JP, Lee J, Choi K. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model organism for screening nephrotoxic chemicals and related mechanisms. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 242:113842. [PMID: 35810668 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Because of essential role in homeostasis of the body fluid and excretion of wastes, kidney damage can lead to severe impacts on health and survival of humans. For most chemicals, nephrotoxic potentials and associated mechanisms are unclear. Hence, fast and sensitive screening measures for nephrotoxic chemicals are required. In this study, the utility of zebrafish (Danio rerio) was evaluated for the investigation of chemical-induced kidney toxicity and associated modes of toxicity, based on the literature review. Zebrafish has a well-understood biology, and many overlapping physiological characteristics with mammals. One such characteristic is its kidneys, of which histology and functions are similar to those of mammals, although unique differences of zebrafish kidneys, such as kidney marrow, should be noted. Moreover, the zebrafish kidney is simpler in structure and easy to observe. For these advantages, zebrafish has been increasingly used as an experimental model for screening nephrotoxicity of chemicals and for understanding related mechanisms. Multiple endpoints of zebrafish model, from functional level, i.e., glomerular filtration, to transcriptional changes of key genes, have been assessed to identify chemical-induced kidney toxicities, and to elucidate underlying mechanisms. The most frequently studied mechanisms of chemical-induced nephrotoxicity in zebrafish include oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, apoptosis, fibrosis, and cell death. To date, several pharmaceuticals, oxidizing agents, natural products, biocides, alcohols, and consumer chemicals have been demonstrated to exert different types of kidney toxicities in zebrafish. The present review shows that zebrafish model can be efficiently employed for quick and reliable assessment of kidney damage potentials of chemicals, and related toxic mechanisms. The toxicological information obtained from this model can be utilized for identification of nephrotoxic chemicals and hence for protection of public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soyoung Lim
- Environmental Health Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Ministry of Environment, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Habyeong Kang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, USA
| | - Bareum Kwon
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung Pyo Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, South Korea; Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, South Korea
| | - Jeonghwan Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, South Korea; Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, South Korea
| | - Kyungho Choi
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea; Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
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9
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Khan K, Ahram DF, Liu YP, Westland R, Sampogna RV, Katsanis N, Davis EE, Sanna-Cherchi S. Multidisciplinary approaches for elucidating genetics and molecular pathogenesis of urinary tract malformations. Kidney Int 2022; 101:473-484. [PMID: 34780871 PMCID: PMC8934530 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2021.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Advances in clinical diagnostics and molecular tools have improved our understanding of the genetically heterogeneous causes underlying congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). However, despite a sharp incline of CAKUT reports in the literature within the past 2 decades, there remains a plateau in the genetic diagnostic yield that is disproportionate to the accelerated ability to generate robust genome-wide data. Explanations for this observation include (i) diverse inheritance patterns with incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity, (ii) rarity of single-gene drivers such that large sample sizes are required to meet the burden of proof, and (iii) multigene interactions that might produce either intra- (e.g., copy number variants) or inter- (e.g., effects in trans) locus effects. These challenges present an opportunity for the community to implement innovative genetic and molecular avenues to explain the missing heritability and to better elucidate the mechanisms that underscore CAKUT. Here, we review recent multidisciplinary approaches at the intersection of genetics, genomics, in vivo modeling, and in vitro systems toward refining a blueprint for overcoming the diagnostic hurdles that are pervasive in urinary tract malformation cohorts. These approaches will not only benefit clinical management by reducing age at molecular diagnosis and prompting early evaluation for comorbid features but will also serve as a springboard for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal Khan
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA (current address)
| | - Dina F. Ahram
- Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Yangfan P. Liu
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Rik Westland
- Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, USA.,Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Amsterdam UMC- Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam, NL
| | | | - Nicholas Katsanis
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA (current address); Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| | - Erica E. Davis
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA (current address).,Department of Pediatrics and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,To whom correspondence should be addressed: ADDRESS CORRESPONDENCE TO: Simone Sanna-Cherchi, MD, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA; Phone: 212-851-4925; Fax: 212-851-5461; . Erica E. Davis, PhD, Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Phone: 312-503-7662; Fax: 312-503-7343; , Nicholas Katsanis, PhD, Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Phone: 312-503-7339; Fax: 312-503-7343;
| | - Simone Sanna-Cherchi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
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10
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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: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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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11
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Bauer B, Mally A, Liedtke D. Zebrafish Embryos and Larvae as Alternative Animal Models for Toxicity Testing. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:13417. [PMID: 34948215 PMCID: PMC8707050 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Prerequisite to any biological laboratory assay employing living animals is consideration about its necessity, feasibility, ethics and the potential harm caused during an experiment. The imperative of these thoughts has led to the formulation of the 3R-principle, which today is a pivotal scientific standard of animal experimentation worldwide. The rising amount of laboratory investigations utilizing living animals throughout the last decades, either for regulatory concerns or for basic science, demands the development of alternative methods in accordance with 3R to help reduce experiments in mammals. This demand has resulted in investigation of additional vertebrate species displaying favourable biological properties. One prominent species among these is the zebrafish (Danio rerio), as these small laboratory ray-finned fish are well established in science today and feature outstanding biological characteristics. In this review, we highlight the advantages and general prerequisites of zebrafish embryos and larvae before free-feeding stages for toxicological testing, with a particular focus on cardio-, neuro, hepato- and nephrotoxicity. Furthermore, we discuss toxicokinetics, current advances in utilizing zebrafish for organ toxicity testing and highlight how advanced laboratory methods (such as automation, advanced imaging and genetic techniques) can refine future toxicological studies in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Bauer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Julius-Maximilians-University, 97078 Würzburg, Germany; (B.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Angela Mally
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Julius-Maximilians-University, 97078 Würzburg, Germany; (B.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Daniel Liedtke
- Institute of Human Genetics, Julius-Maximilians-University, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
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12
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Evaluation of endogenous miRNA reference genes across different zebrafish strains, developmental stages and kidney disease models. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22894. [PMID: 34819534 PMCID: PMC8613261 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00075-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of kidney diseases arise from the loss of podocytes and from morphological changes of their highly complex foot process architecture, which inevitably leads to a reduced kidney filtration and total loss of kidney function. It could have been shown that microRNAs (miRs) play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of podocyte-associated kidney diseases. Due to their fully functioning pronephric kidney, larval zebrafish have become a popular vertebrate model, to study kidney diseases in vivo. Unfortunately, there is no consensus about a proper normalization strategy of RT-qPCR-based miRNA expression data in zebrafish. In this study we analyzed 9 preselected candidates dre-miR-92a-3p, dre-miR-206-3p, dre-miR-99-1, dre-miR-92b-3p, dre-miR-363-3p, dre-let-7e, dre-miR-454a, dre-miR-30c-5p, dre-miR-126a-5p for their capability as endogenous reference genes in zebrafish experiments. Expression levels of potential candidates were measured in 3 different zebrafish strains, different developmental stages, and in different kidney disease models by RT-qPCR. Expression values were analyzed with NormFinder, BestKeeper, GeNorm, and DeltaCt and were tested for inter-group differences. All candidates show an abundant expression throughout all samples and relatively high stability. The most stable candidate without significant inter-group differences was dre-miR-92b-3p making it a suitable endogenous reference gene for RT-qPCR-based miR expression zebrafish studies.
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13
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Differential Clearance of Aβ Species from the Brain by Brain Lymphatic Endothelial Cells in Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111883. [PMID: 34769316 PMCID: PMC8584359 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The failure of amyloid beta (Aβ) clearance is a major cause of Alzheimer’s disease, and the brain lymphatic systems play a crucial role in clearing toxic proteins. Recently, brain lymphatic endothelial cells (BLECs), a non-lumenized lymphatic cell in the vertebrate brain, was identified, but Aβ clearance via this novel cell is not fully understood. We established an in vivo zebrafish model using fluorescently labeled Aβ42 to investigate the role of BLECs in Aβ clearance. We discovered the efficient clearance of monomeric Aβ42 (mAβ42) compared to oligomeric Aβ42 (oAβ42), which was illustrated by the selective uptake of mAβ42 by BLECs and peripheral transport. The genetic depletion, pharmacological inhibition via the blocking of the mannose receptor, or the laser ablation of BLECs resulted in the defective clearance of mAβ42. The treatment with an Aβ disaggregating agent facilitated the internalization of oAβ42 into BLECs and improved the peripheral transport. Our findings reveal a new role of BLECs in the differential clearance of mAβ42 from the brain and provide a novel therapeutic strategy based on promoting Aβ clearance.
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14
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Oltrabella F, Jackson-Crawford A, Yan G, Rixham S, Starborg T, Lowe M. IPIP27A cooperates with OCRL to support endocytic traffic in the zebrafish pronephric tubule. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 31:1183-1196. [PMID: 34673953 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocytosis is a fundamentally important process through which material is internalized into cells from the extracellular environment. In the renal proximal tubule, endocytosis of the abundant scavenger receptor megalin and its co-receptor cubilin play a vital role in retrieving low molecular weight proteins from the renal filtrate. Although we know much about megalin and its ligands, the machinery and mechanisms by which the receptor is trafficked through the endosomal system remain poorly defined. In this study, we show that Ipip27A, an interacting partner of the Lowe syndrome protein OCRL, is required for endocytic traffic of megalin within the proximal renal tubule of zebrafish larvae. Knockout of Ipip27A phenocopies the endocytic phenotype seen upon loss of OCRL, with a deficit in uptake of both fluid-phase and protein cargo, which is accompanied by a reduction in megalin abundance and altered endosome morphology. Rescue and co-depletion experiments indicate that Ipip27A functions together with OCRL to support proximal tubule endocytosis. The results therefore identify Ipip27A as a new player in endocytic traffic in the proximal tubule in vivo and support the view that defective endocytosis underlies the renal tubulopathy in Lowe syndrome and Dent-2 disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Oltrabella
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, The Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.,Medical Scientific Liaison - Nephrology, Astellas Pharma, Via Dante, 20123 Milano, Italy
| | - Anthony Jackson-Crawford
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, The Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.,Department of Blood Sciences, Grange University Hospital, Llanyravon, Gwent, NP44 8YN
| | - Guanhua Yan
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, The Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Sarah Rixham
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, The Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Tobias Starborg
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, The Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.,Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Martin Lowe
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, The Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
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15
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Kato Y, Tonomura Y, Hanafusa H, Nishimura K, Fukushima T, Ueno M. Adult Zebrafish Model for Screening Drug-Induced Kidney Injury. Toxicol Sci 2021; 174:241-253. [PMID: 32040193 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug-induced kidney injury is a serious safety issue in drug development. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of adult zebrafish as a small in vivo system for detecting drug-induced kidney injury. We first investigated the effects of typical nephrotoxicants, gentamicin and doxorubicin, on adult zebrafish. We found that gentamicin induced renal tubular necrosis with increased lysosome and myeloid bodies, and doxorubicin caused foot process fusion of glomerular podocytes. These findings were similar to those seen in mammals, suggesting a common pathogenesis. Second, to further evaluate the performance of the model in detecting drug-induced kidney injury, adult zebrafish were treated with 28 nephrotoxicants or 14 nonnephrotoxicants for up to 4 days, euthanized 24 h after the final treatment, and examined histopathologically. Sixteen of the 28 nephrotoxicants and none of the 14 nonnephrotoxicants caused drug-induced kidney injury in zebrafish (sensitivity, 57%; specificity, 100%; positive predictive value, 100%; negative predictive value, 54%). Finally, we explored genomic biomarker candidates using kidneys isolated from gentamicin- and cisplatin-treated zebrafish using microarray analysis and identified 3 candidate genes, egr1, atf3, and fos based on increased expression levels and biological implications. The expression of these genes was upregulated dose dependently in cisplatin-treated groups and was > 25-fold higher in gentamicin-treated than in the control group. In conclusion, these results suggest that the adult zebrafish has (1) similar nephrotoxic response to those of mammals, (2) considerable feasibility as an experimental model for toxicity studies, and (3) applicability to pathological examination and genomic biomarker evaluation in drug-induced kidney injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Kato
- Drug Safety Evaluation, Research Laboratory for Development, Shionogi and Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Yutaka Tonomura
- Drug Safety Evaluation, Research Laboratory for Development, Shionogi and Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Hanafusa
- Drug Safety Evaluation, Research Laboratory for Development, Shionogi and Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Kyohei Nishimura
- Drug Safety Evaluation, Research Laboratory for Development, Shionogi and Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Tamio Fukushima
- Drug Safety Evaluation, Research Laboratory for Development, Shionogi and Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Motonobu Ueno
- Drug Safety Evaluation, Research Laboratory for Development, Shionogi and Co., Ltd., Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
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16
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Adriamycin does not damage podocytes of zebrafish larvae. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242436. [PMID: 33186381 PMCID: PMC7665694 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Podocytes are highly specialized epithelial cells that are essential for an intact glomerular filtration barrier in the kidney. Several glomerular diseases like focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are initially due to podocyte injury and loss. Since causative treatments for FSGS are not available until today, drug screening is of great relevance. In order to test a high number of drugs, FSGS needs to be reliably induced in a suitable animal model. The zebrafish larva is an ideal model for kidney research due to the vast amount of offsprings, the rapid development of a simple kidney and a remarkable homology to the mammalian glomerulus. Zebrafish larvae possess a size-selective glomerular filtration barrier at 4 days post fertilization including podocytes with interdigitating foot processes that are connected by a slit membrane. Adriamycin is an anthracycline which is often used in mice and rats to induce a FSGS-like phenotype. In this study, we aimed to induce a similar phenotype to zebrafish larvae by adding adriamycin to the tank water in different concentrations. Surprisingly, zebrafish larvae did not develop glomerular injury and displayed an intact filtration barrier after treatment with adriamycin. This was shown by (immuno-) histology, our filtration assay, in vivo imaging by 2-photon microcopy, RT-(q)PCR as well as transmission electron microscopy. To summarize, adriamycin is unable to induce a podocyte-related damage in zebrafish larvae and therefore major effort must be made to establish FSGS in zebrafish larvae to identify effective drugs by screenings.
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17
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Li X, Schmöhl F, Qi H, Bennewitz K, Tabler CT, Poschet G, Hell R, Volk N, Poth T, Hausser I, Morgenstern J, Fleming T, Nawroth PP, Kroll J. Regulation of Gluconeogenesis by Aldo-keto-reductase 1a1b in Zebrafish. iScience 2020; 23:101763. [PMID: 33251496 PMCID: PMC7683270 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of glucose homeostasis is a fundamental process to maintain blood glucose at a physiological level, and its dysregulation is associated with the development of several metabolic diseases. Here, we report on a zebrafish mutant for Aldo-keto-reductase 1a1b (akr1a1b) as a regulator of gluconeogenesis. Adult akr1a1b−/− mutant zebrafish developed fasting hypoglycemia, which was caused by inhibiting phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) expression as rate-limiting enzyme of gluconeogenesis. Subsequently, glucogenic amino acid glutamate as substrate for gluconeogenesis accumulated in the kidneys, but not in livers, and induced structural and functional pronephros alterations in 48-hpf akr1a1b−/− embryos. Akr1a1b−/− mutants displayed increased nitrosative stress as indicated by increased nitrotyrosine, and increased protein-S-nitrosylation. Inhibition of nitrosative stress using the NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME prevented kidney damage and normalized PEPCK expression in akr1a1b−/− mutants. Thus, the data have identified Akr1a1b as a regulator of gluconeogenesis in zebrafish and thereby controlling glucose homeostasis. Adult akr1a1b−/− mutant zebrafish develop fasting hypoglycemia Loss of Akr1a1b inhibits renal phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) expression Accumulation of glucogenic amino acid glutamate alters the kidney in akr1a1b mutants Akr1a1b regulates gluconeogenesis via protein-S-nitrosylation
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaogang Li
- Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim 68167, Germany
| | - Felix Schmöhl
- Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim 68167, Germany
| | - Haozhe Qi
- Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim 68167, Germany
| | - Katrin Bennewitz
- Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim 68167, Germany
| | - Christoph T Tabler
- Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim 68167, Germany
| | - Gernot Poschet
- Metabolomics Core Technology Platform, Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Hell
- Metabolomics Core Technology Platform, Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Nadine Volk
- Tissue Bank of the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Tanja Poth
- CMCP - Center for Model System and Comparative Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Ingrid Hausser
- Electron Microscopy Lab, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Jakob Morgenstern
- Department of Internal Medicine I and Clinical Chemistry, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Thomas Fleming
- Department of Internal Medicine I and Clinical Chemistry, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Peter Paul Nawroth
- Department of Internal Medicine I and Clinical Chemistry, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg 85764, Germany.,Joint Heidelberg-IDC Translational Diabetes Program, Helmholtz-Zentrum, München, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Jens Kroll
- Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim 68167, Germany
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18
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Panlilio JM, Aluru N, Hahn ME. Developmental Neurotoxicity of the Harmful Algal Bloom Toxin Domoic Acid: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Altered Behavior in the Zebrafish Model. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2020; 128:117002. [PMID: 33147070 PMCID: PMC7641300 DOI: 10.1289/ehp6652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Harmful algal blooms (HABs) produce potent neurotoxins that threaten human health, but current regulations may not be protective of sensitive populations. Early life exposure to low levels of the HAB toxin domoic acid (DomA) produces long-lasting behavioral deficits in rodent and primate models; however, the mechanisms involved are unknown. The zebrafish is a powerful in vivo vertebrate model system for exploring cellular processes during development and thus may help to elucidate mechanisms of DomA developmental neurotoxicity. OBJECTIVES We used the zebrafish model to investigate how low doses of DomA affect the developing nervous system, including windows of susceptibility to DomA exposure, structural and molecular changes in the nervous system, and the link to behavioral alterations. METHODS To identify potential windows of susceptibility, DomA (0.09-0.18 ng) was delivered to zebrafish through caudal vein microinjection during distinct periods in early neurodevelopment. Following exposure, structural and molecular targets were identified using live imaging of transgenic fish and RNA sequencing. To assess the functional consequences of exposures, we quantified startle behavior in response to acoustic/vibrational stimuli. RESULTS Larvae exposed to DomA at 2 d postfertilization (dpf), but not at 1 or 4 dpf, showed consistent deficits in startle behavior at 7 dpf, including lower responsiveness and altered kinematics. Similarly, myelination in the spinal cord was disorganized after exposure at 2 dpf but not 1 or 4 dpf. Time-lapse imaging revealed disruption of the initial stages of myelination. DomA exposure at 2 dpf down-regulated genes required for maintaining myelin structure and the axonal cytoskeleton. DISCUSSION These results in zebrafish reveal a developmental window of susceptibility to DomA-induced behavioral deficits and identify altered gene expression and disrupted myelin structure as possible mechanisms. The results establish a zebrafish model for investigating the mechanisms of developmental DomA toxicity, including effects with potential relevance to exposed sensitive human populations. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6652.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M. Panlilio
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)–WHOI Joint Graduate Program in Oceanography and Oceanographic Engineering, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, WHOI, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Neelakanteswar Aluru
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
- Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, WHOI, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mark E. Hahn
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
- Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, WHOI, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
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19
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Babich R, Ulrich JC, Ekanayake EMDV, Massarsky A, De Silva PMCS, Manage PM, Jackson BP, Ferguson PL, Di Giulio RT, Drummond IA, Jayasundara N. Kidney developmental effects of metal-herbicide mixtures: Implications for chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 144:106019. [PMID: 32818823 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is an emerging global concern affecting several agricultural communities in the Americas and South Asia. Environmental contaminants such as heavy metals (e.g., Cd, As, Pb, and V) and organic pesticides (e.g., glyphosate) in the drinking water have been hypothesized to play a role in childhood onset and progression of this disease. However, a comprehensive analysis of chemical contaminants in the drinking water and effects of these compounds and their mixtures on kidney development and function remains unknown. Here, we conducted targeted and non-targeted chemical analyses of sediment and drinking water in CKDu affected regions in Sri Lanka, one of the most affected countries. Using zebrafish Danio rerio, a toxicology and kidney disease model, we then examined kidney developmental effects of exposure to (i) environmentally derived samples from CKDu endemic and non-endemic regions and (ii) Cd, As, V, Pb, and glyphosate as individual compounds and in mixtures. We found that drinking water is contaminated with various organic chemicals including nephrotoxic compounds as well as heavy metals, but at levels considered safe for drinking. Histological studies and gene expression analyses examining markers of kidney development (pax2a) and kidney injury (kim1) showed novel metal and glyphosate-metal mixture specific effects on kidney development. Mitochondrial dysfunction is directly linked to kidney failure, and examination of mixture specific mitochondrial toxicity showed altered mitochondrial function following treatment with environmental samples from endemic regions. Collectively, we show that metals in drinking water, even at safe levels, can impede kidney development at an early age, potentiating increased susceptibility to other agrochemicals such as glyphosate. Drinking water contaminant effects on mitochondria can further contribute to progression of kidney dysfunction and our mitochondrial assay may help identify regions at risk of CKDu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remy Babich
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
| | - Jake C Ulrich
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | | | - Andrey Massarsky
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Cardno ChemRisk, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656, USA
| | | | - Pathmalal M Manage
- Centre for Water Quality and Algae Research, Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - P Lee Ferguson
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | | | - Iain A Drummond
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
| | - Nishad Jayasundara
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA; Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
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20
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Miyawaki I. Application of zebrafish to safety evaluation in drug discovery. J Toxicol Pathol 2020; 33:197-210. [PMID: 33239838 PMCID: PMC7677624 DOI: 10.1293/tox.2020-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, safety evaluation at the early stage of drug discovery research has been
done using in silico, in vitro, and in
vivo systems in this order because of limitations on the amount of compounds
available and the throughput ability of the assay systems. While these in
vitro assays are very effective tools for detecting particular tissue-specific
toxicity phenotypes, it is difficult to detect toxicity based on complex mechanisms
involving multiple organs and tissues. Therefore, the development of novel high throughput
in vivo evaluation systems has been expected for a long time. The
zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a vertebrate with many attractive
characteristics for use in drug discovery, such as a small size, transparency, gene and
protein similarity with mammals (80% or more), and ease of genetic modification to
establish human disease models. Actually, in recent years, the zebrafish has attracted
interest as a novel experimental animal. In this article, the author summarized the
features of zebrafish that make it a suitable laboratory animal, and introduced and
discussed the applications of zebrafish to preclinical toxicity testing, including
evaluations of teratogenicity, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity based on morphological
findings, evaluation of cardiotoxicity using functional endpoints, and assessment of
seizure and drug abuse liability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izuru Miyawaki
- Preclinical Research Laboratories, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., 3-1-98 Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
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21
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Westhoff JH, Steenbergen PJ, Thomas LSV, Heigwer J, Bruckner T, Cooper L, Tönshoff B, Hoffmann GF, Gehrig J. In vivo High-Content Screening in Zebrafish for Developmental Nephrotoxicity of Approved Drugs. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:583. [PMID: 32754590 PMCID: PMC7366291 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite widespread drug exposure, for example during gestation or in prematurely born children, organ-specific developmental toxicity of most drugs is poorly understood. Developmental and functional abnormalities are a major cause of kidney diseases during childhood; however, the potential causal relationship to exposure with nephrotoxic drugs during nephrogenesis is widely unknown. To identify developmental nephrotoxic drugs in a large scale, we established and performed an automated high-content screen to score for phenotypic renal alterations in the Tg(wt1b:EGFP) zebrafish line. During early nephrogenesis, embryos were exposed to a compound library of approved drugs. After treatment, embryos were aligned within microtiter plates using 3D-printed orientation tools enabling the robust acquisition of consistent dorsal views of pronephric kidneys by automated microscopy. To qualitatively and quantitatively score and visualize phenotypes, we developed software tools for the semi-automated analysis, processing and visualization of this large image-based dataset. Using this scoring scheme, we were able to categorize compounds based on their potential developmental nephrotoxic effects. About 10% of tested drugs induced pronephric phenotypes including glomerular and tubular malformations, or overall changes in kidney morphology. Major chemical compound groups identified to cause glomerular and tubular alterations included dihydropyridine derivatives, HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, fibrates, imidazole, benzimidazole and triazole derivatives, corticosteroids, glucocorticoids, acetic acid derivatives and propionic acid derivatives. In conclusion, the presented study demonstrates the large-scale screening of kidney-specific toxicity of approved drugs in a live vertebrate embryo. The associated technology and tool-sets can be easily adapted for other organ systems providing a unique platform for in vivo large-scale assessment of organ-specific developmental toxicity or other biomedical applications. Ultimately, the presented data and associated visualization and browsing tools provide a resource for potentially nephrotoxic drugs and for further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens H. Westhoff
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Laurent S. V. Thomas
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- DITABIS, Digital Biomedical Imaging Systems AG, Pforzheim, Germany
- ACQUIFER Imaging GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jana Heigwer
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Bruckner
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Burkhard Tönshoff
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Georg F. Hoffmann
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jochen Gehrig
- DITABIS, Digital Biomedical Imaging Systems AG, Pforzheim, Germany
- ACQUIFER Imaging GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
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22
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Steenbergen PJ, Heigwer J, Pandey G, Tönshoff B, Gehrig J, Westhoff JH. A Multiparametric Assay Platform for Simultaneous In Vivo Assessment of Pronephric Morphology, Renal Function and Heart Rate in Larval Zebrafish. Cells 2020; 9:E1269. [PMID: 32443839 PMCID: PMC7290829 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Automated high-throughput workflows allow for chemical toxicity testing and drug discovery in zebrafish disease models. Due to its conserved structural and functional properties, the zebrafish pronephros offers a unique model to study renal development and disease at larger scale. Ideally, scoring of pronephric phenotypes includes morphological and functional assessments within the same larva. However, to efficiently upscale such assays, refinement of existing methods is required. Here, we describe the development of a multiparametric in vivo screening pipeline for parallel assessment of pronephric morphology, kidney function and heart rate within the same larva on a single imaging platform. To this end, we developed a novel 3D-printed orientation tool enabling multiple consistent orientations of larvae in agarose-filled microplates. Dorsal pronephros imaging was followed by assessing renal clearance and heart rates upon fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-inulin microinjection using automated time-lapse imaging of laterally positioned larvae. The pipeline was benchmarked using a set of drugs known to induce developmental nephrotoxicity in humans and zebrafish. Drug-induced reductions in renal clearance and heart rate alterations were detected even in larvae exhibiting minor pronephric phenotypes. In conclusion, the developed workflow enables rapid and semi-automated in vivo assessment of multiple morphological and functional parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petrus J. Steenbergen
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (P.J.S.); (J.H.); (G.P.); (B.T.)
| | - Jana Heigwer
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (P.J.S.); (J.H.); (G.P.); (B.T.)
| | - Gunjan Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (P.J.S.); (J.H.); (G.P.); (B.T.)
| | - Burkhard Tönshoff
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (P.J.S.); (J.H.); (G.P.); (B.T.)
| | - Jochen Gehrig
- DITABIS, Digital Biomedical Imaging Systems AG, 75179 Pforzheim, Germany
- ACQUIFER Imaging GmbH, 69123 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jens H. Westhoff
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (P.J.S.); (J.H.); (G.P.); (B.T.)
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23
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Xie H, Kang Y, Wang S, Zheng P, Chen Z, Roy S, Zhao C. E2f5 is a versatile transcriptional activator required for spermatogenesis and multiciliated cell differentiation in zebrafish. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008655. [PMID: 32196499 PMCID: PMC7112233 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
E2f5 is a member of the E2f family of transcription factors that play essential roles during many cellular processes. E2f5 was initially characterized as a transcriptional repressor in cell proliferation studies through its interaction with the Retinoblastoma (Rb) protein for inhibition of target gene transcription. However, the precise roles of E2f5 during embryonic and post-embryonic development remain incompletely investigated. Here, we report that zebrafish E2f5 plays critical roles during spermatogenesis and multiciliated cell (MCC) differentiation. Zebrafish e2f5 mutants develop exclusively as infertile males. In the mutants, spermatogenesis is arrested at the zygotene stage due to homologous recombination (HR) defects, which finally leads to germ cell apoptosis. Inhibition of cell apoptosis in e2f5;tp53 double mutants rescued ovarian development, although oocytes generated from the double mutants were still abnormal, characterized by aberrant distribution of nucleoli. Using transcriptome analysis, we identified dmc1, which encodes an essential meiotic recombination protein, as the major target gene of E2f5 during spermatogenesis. E2f5 can bind to the promoter of dmc1 to promote HR, and overexpression of dmc1 significantly increased the fertilization rate of e2f5 mutant males. Besides gametogenesis defects, e2f5 mutants failed to develop MCCs in the nose and pronephric ducts during early embryonic stages, but these cells recovered later due to redundancy with E2f4. Moreover, we demonstrate that ion transporting principal cells in the pronephric ducts, which remain intercalated with the MCCs, do not contain motile cilia in wild-type embryos, while they generate single motile cilia in the absence of E2f5 activity. In line with this, we further show that E2f5 activates the Notch pathway gene jagged2b (jag2b) to inhibit the acquisition of MCC fate as well as motile cilia differentiation by the neighboring principal cells. Taken together, our data suggest that E2f5 can function as a versatile transcriptional activator and identify novel roles of the protein in spermatogenesis as well as MCC differentiation during zebrafish development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Xie
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yunsi Kang
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Pengfei Zheng
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Sudipto Roy
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pediatrics, Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chengtian Zhao
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- * E-mail:
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24
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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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25
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Abstract
The zebrafish kidney has been used effectively for studying kidney development, repair and disease. New gene editing capability makes it a more versatile in vivo vertebrate model system to investigate renal epithelial cells in their native environment. In this chapter we focus on dissecting gene function in basic cellular biology of renal epithelial cells, including lumen formation and cell polarity, in intact zebrafish embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Li
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United states
| | - Wenyan Xu
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United states
| | - Stephanie Jerman
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United states
| | - Zhaoxia Sun
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United states.
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26
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Brilli Skvarca L, Han HI, Espiritu EB, Missinato MA, Rochon ER, McDaniels MD, Bais AS, Roman BL, Waxman JS, Watkins SC, Davidson AJ, Tsang M, Hukriede NA. Enhancing regeneration after acute kidney injury by promoting cellular dedifferentiation in zebrafish. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:dmm.037390. [PMID: 30890583 PMCID: PMC6505474 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.037390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious disorder for which there are limited treatment options. Following injury, native nephrons display limited regenerative capabilities, relying on the dedifferentiation and proliferation of renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) that survive the insult. Previously, we identified 4-(phenylthio)butanoic acid (PTBA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDI), as an enhancer of renal recovery, and showed that PTBA treatment increased RTEC proliferation and reduced renal fibrosis. Here, we investigated the regenerative mechanisms of PTBA in zebrafish models of larval renal injury and adult cardiac injury. With respect to renal injury, we showed that delivery of PTBA using an esterified prodrug (UPHD25) increases the reactivation of the renal progenitor gene Pax2a, enhances dedifferentiation of RTECs, reduces Kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1) expression, and lowers the number of infiltrating macrophages. Further, we found that the effects of PTBA on RTEC proliferation depend upon retinoic acid signaling and demonstrate that the therapeutic properties of PTBA are not restricted to the kidney but also increase cardiomyocyte proliferation and decrease fibrosis following cardiac injury in adult zebrafish. These studies provide key mechanistic insights into how PTBA enhances tissue repair in models of acute injury and lay the groundwork for translating this novel HDI into the clinic. This article has an associated First Person interview with the joint first authors of the paper. Summary: Mortality associated with AKI is in part due to limited treatments available to ameliorate injury. The authors identify a compound that accelerates AKI recovery and promotes cellular dedifferentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Brilli Skvarca
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Hwa In Han
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Eugenel B Espiritu
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Maria A Missinato
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.,Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Rochon
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Michael D McDaniels
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Abha S Bais
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Beth L Roman
- Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Joshua S Waxman
- Heart Institute, Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Simon C Watkins
- Department of Cell Biology and Center for Biological Imaging, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Alan J Davidson
- Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Michael Tsang
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Neil A Hukriede
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA .,Center for Critical Care Nephrology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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27
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Jobst-Schwan T, Hoogstraten CA, Kolvenbach CM, Schmidt JM, Kolb A, Eddy K, Schneider R, Ashraf S, Widmeier E, Majmundar AJ, Hildebrandt F. Corticosteroid treatment exacerbates nephrotic syndrome in a zebrafish model of magi2a knockout. Kidney Int 2019; 95:1079-1090. [PMID: 31010479 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2018.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Recently, recessive mutations of MAGI2 were identified as a cause of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) in humans and mice. To further delineate the pathogenesis of MAGI2 loss of function, we generated stable knockout lines for the two zebrafish orthologues magi2a and magi2b by CRISPR/Cas9. We also developed a novel assay for the direct detection of proteinuria in zebrafish independent of transgenic background. Whereas knockout of magi2b did not yield a nephrotic syndrome phenotype, magi2a-/- larvae developed ascites, periorbital edema, and proteinuria, as indicated by increased excretion of low molecular weight protein. Electron microscopy demonstrated extensive podocyte foot process effacement. As in human SRNS, we observed genotype/phenotype correlation, with edema onset occurring earlier in zebrafish with truncating alleles (5-6 days post fertilization) versus hypomorphic alleles (19-20 days post fertilization). Paradoxically, corticosteroid treatment exacerbated the phenotype, with earlier onset of edema. In contrast, treatment with cyclosporine A or tacrolimus had no significant effect. Although RhoA signaling has been implicated as a downstream mediator of MAGI2 activity, targeting of the RhoA pathway did not modify the nephrotic syndrome phenotype. In the first CRISPR/Cas9 zebrafish knockout model of SRNS, we found that corticosteroids may have a paradoxical effect in the setting of specific genetic mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilman Jobst-Schwan
- Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Charlotte A Hoogstraten
- Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Caroline M Kolvenbach
- Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Johanna Magdalena Schmidt
- Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amy Kolb
- Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Eddy
- Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ronen Schneider
- Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shazia Ashraf
- Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eugen Widmeier
- Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amar J Majmundar
- Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Friedhelm Hildebrandt
- Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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28
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Naylor RW, Chang HHG, Qubisi S, Davidson AJ. A novel mechanism of gland formation in zebrafish involving transdifferentiation of renal epithelial cells and live cell extrusion. eLife 2018; 7:38911. [PMID: 30394875 PMCID: PMC6250424 DOI: 10.7554/elife.38911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transdifferentiation is the poorly understood phenomenon whereby a terminally differentiated cell acquires a completely new identity. Here, we describe a rare example of a naturally occurring transdifferentiation event in zebrafish in which kidney distal tubule epithelial cells are converted into an endocrine gland known as the Corpuscles of Stannius (CS). We find that this process requires Notch signalling and is associated with the cytoplasmic sequestration of the Hnf1b transcription factor, a master-regulator of renal tubule fate. A deficiency in the Irx3b transcription factor results in ectopic transdifferentiation of distal tubule cells to a CS identity but in a Notch-dependent fashion. Using live-cell imaging we show that CS cells undergo apical constriction en masse and are then extruded from the tubule to form a distinct organ. This system provides a valuable new model to understand the molecular and morphological basis of transdifferentiation and will advance efforts to exploit this rare phenomenon therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard W Naylor
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Hao-Han G Chang
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sarah Qubisi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, 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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29
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Endlich N, Lange T, Kuhn J, Klemm P, Kotb AM, Siegerist F, Kindt F, Lindenmeyer MT, Cohen CD, Kuss AW, Nath N, Rettig R, Lendeckel U, Zimmermann U, Amann K, Stracke S, Endlich K. BDNF: mRNA expression in urine cells of patients with chronic kidney disease and its role in kidney function. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 22:5265-5277. [PMID: 30133147 PMCID: PMC6201371 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Podocyte loss and changes to the complex morphology are major causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD). As the incidence is continuously increasing over the last decades without sufficient treatment, it is important to find predicting biomarkers. Therefore, we measured urinary mRNA levels of podocyte genes NPHS1, NPHS2, PODXL and BDNF, KIM‐1, CTSL by qRT‐PCR of 120 CKD patients. We showed a strong correlation between BDNF and the kidney injury marker KIM‐1, which were also correlated with NPHS1, suggesting podocytes as a contributing source. In human biopsies, BDNF was localized in the cell body and major processes of podocytes. In glomeruli of diabetic nephropathy patients, we found a strong BDNF signal in the remaining podocytes. An inhibition of the BDNF receptor TrkB resulted in enhanced podocyte dedifferentiation. The knockdown of the orthologue resulted in pericardial oedema formation and lowered viability of zebrafish larvae. We found an enlarged Bowman's space, dilated glomerular capillaries, podocyte loss and an impaired glomerular filtration. We demonstrated that BDNF is essential for glomerular development, morphology and function and the expression of BDNF and KIM‐1 is highly correlated in urine cells of CKD patients. Therefore, BDNF mRNA in urine cells could serve as a potential CKD biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Endlich
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Tim Lange
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jana Kuhn
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Clinic for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Karlsburg Hospital Dr. Guth GmbH & Co KG, Karlsburg, Germany
| | - Paul Klemm
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ahmed M Kotb
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Florian Siegerist
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Frances Kindt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Maja T Lindenmeyer
- Nephrological Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic IV, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Clemens D Cohen
- Nephrological Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic IV, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas W Kuss
- Department of Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Neetika Nath
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Rainer Rettig
- Department of Physiology, University of Greifswald, Karlsburg, Germany
| | - Uwe Lendeckel
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Uwe Zimmermann
- Department of Urology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Kerstin Amann
- Department of Pathology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sylvia Stracke
- Department of Internal Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Karlhans Endlich
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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30
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Wasik AA, Dash SN, Lehtonen S. Septins in kidney: A territory little explored. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2018; 76:154-162. [PMID: 30004646 PMCID: PMC6585700 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Septins are a conserved family of GTP‐binding proteins that assemble into cytoskeletal filaments to function in a highly sophisticated and physiologically regulated manner. Originally septins were discovered in the budding yeast as membrane‐associated filaments that affect cell polarity and cytokinesis. In the last decades, much progress has been made in understanding the biochemical properties and cell biological functions of septins. In line with this, mammalian septins have been shown to be involved in various cellular processes, including regulation of cell polarity, cytoskeletal organization, vesicle trafficking, ciliogenesis, and cell–pathogen interactions. A growing number of studies have shown that septins play important roles in tissue and organ development and physiology; yet, little is known about their role in the kidney. In the following review, we discuss the structure and functions of septins in general and summarize the evidence for their presence and roles in the kidney.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita A Wasik
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Surjya N Dash
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sanna Lehtonen
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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31
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Zhong Y, Choi T, Kim M, Jung KH, Chai YG, Binas B. Isolation of primitive mouse extraembryonic endoderm (pXEN) stem cell lines. Stem Cell Res 2018; 30:100-112. [PMID: 29843002 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2018.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Mouse blastocysts contain the committed precursors of the extraembryonic endoderm (ExEn), which express the key transcription factor Oct4, depend on LIF/LIF-like factor-driven Jak/Stat signaling, and initially exhibit lineage plasticity. Previously described rat blastocyst-derived ExEn precursor-like cell lines (XENP cells/HypoSCs) also show these features, but equivalent mouse blastocyst-derived cell lines are lacking. We now present mouse blastocyst-derived cell lines, named primitive XEN (pXEN) cells, which share these and additional characteristics with the XENP cells/HypoSCs, but not with previously known mouse blastocyst-derived XEN cell lines. Otherwise, pXEN cells are highly similar to XEN cells by morphology, lineage-intrinsic differentiation potential, and multi-gene expression profile, although the pXEN cell profile correlates better with the blastocyst stage. Finally, we show that pXEN cells easily convert into XEN-like cells but not vice versa. The findings indicate that (i) pXEN cells are more representative than XEN cells of the blastocyst stage; (ii) mouse pXEN, rather than XEN, cells are homologs of rat XENP cells/HypoSCs, which we propose to call rat pXEN cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiang Zhong
- Department of Molecular & Life Science, College of Science and Technology, Hanyang University (ERICA Campus), 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangrok-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Taewoong Choi
- Department of Molecular & Life Science, College of Science and Technology, Hanyang University (ERICA Campus), 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangrok-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Minjae Kim
- Department of Molecular & Life Science, College of Science and Technology, Hanyang University (ERICA Campus), 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangrok-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Hwa Jung
- Department of Molecular & Life Science, College of Science and Technology, Hanyang University (ERICA Campus), 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangrok-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Gyu Chai
- Department of Molecular & Life Science, College of Science and Technology, Hanyang University (ERICA Campus), 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangrok-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Bert Binas
- Department of Molecular & Life Science, College of Science and Technology, Hanyang University (ERICA Campus), 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangrok-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do 15588, Republic of Korea..
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32
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Endlich N, Kliewe F, Kindt F, Schmidt K, Kotb AM, Artelt N, Lindenmeyer MT, Cohen CD, Döring F, Kuss AW, Amann K, Moeller MJ, Kabgani N, Blumenthal A, Endlich K. The transcription factor Dach1 is essential for podocyte function. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 22:2656-2669. [PMID: 29498212 PMCID: PMC5908116 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Dedifferentiation and loss of podocytes are the major cause of chronic kidney disease. Dach1, a transcription factor that is essential for cell fate, was found in genome‐wide association studies to be associated with the glomerular filtration rate. We found that podocytes express high levels of Dach1 in vivo and to a much lower extent in vitro. Parietal epithelial cells (PECs) that are still under debate to be a type of progenitor cell for podocytes expressed Dach1 only at low levels. The transfection of PECs with a plasmid encoding for Dach1 induced the expression of synaptopodin, a podocyte‐specific protein, demonstrated by immunocytochemistry and Western blot. Furthermore, synaptopodin was located along actin fibres in a punctate pattern in Dach1‐expressing PECs comparable with differentiated podocytes. Moreover, dedifferentiating podocytes of isolated glomeruli showed a significant reduction in the expression of Dach1 together with synaptopodin after 9 days in cell culture. To study the role of Dach1 in vivo, we used the zebrafish larva as an animal model. Knockdown of the zebrafish ortholog Dachd by morpholino injection into fertilized eggs resulted in a severe renal phenotype. The glomeruli of the zebrafish larvae showed morphological changes of the glomerulus accompanied by down‐regulation of nephrin and leakage of the filtration barrier. Interestingly, glomeruli of biopsies from patients suffering from diabetic nephropathy showed also a significant reduction of Dach1 and synaptopodin in contrast to control biopsies. Taken together, Dach1 is a transcription factor that is important for podocyte differentiation and proper kidney function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Endlich
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Felix Kliewe
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Frances Kindt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Katharina Schmidt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ahmed M Kotb
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Nadine Artelt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Maja T Lindenmeyer
- Nephrological Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic IV, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Clemens D Cohen
- Nephrological Center, Medical Clinic and Policlinic IV, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Franziska Döring
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Andreas W Kuss
- Department of Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Kerstin Amann
- Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marcus J Moeller
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Nazanin Kabgani
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Antje Blumenthal
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Karlhans Endlich
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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Johnston HJ, Verdon R, Gillies S, Brown DM, Fernandes TF, Henry TB, Rossi AG, Tran L, Tucker C, Tyler CR, Stone V. Adoption of in vitro systems and zebrafish embryos as alternative models for reducing rodent use in assessments of immunological and oxidative stress responses to nanomaterials. Crit Rev Toxicol 2017; 48:252-271. [PMID: 29239234 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2017.1404965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Assessing the safety of engineered nanomaterials (NMs) is paramount to the responsible and sustainable development of nanotechnology, which provides huge societal benefits. Currently, there is no evidence that engineered NMs cause detrimental health effects in humans. However, investigation of NM toxicity using in vivo, in vitro, in chemico, and in silico models has demonstrated that some NMs stimulate oxidative stress and inflammation, which may lead to adverse health effects. Accordingly, investigation of these responses currently dominates NM safety assessments. There is a need to reduce reliance on rodent testing in nanotoxicology for ethical, financial and legislative reasons, and due to evidence that rodent models do not always predict the human response. We advocate that in vitro models and zebrafish embryos should have greater prominence in screening for NM safety, to better align nanotoxicology with the 3Rs principles. Zebrafish are accepted for use by regulatory agencies in chemical safety assessments (e.g. developmental biology) and there is growing acceptance of their use in biomedical research, providing strong foundations for their use in nanotoxicology. We suggest that investigation of the response of phagocytic cells (e.g. neutrophils, macrophages) in vitro should also form a key part of NM safety assessments, due to their prominent role in the first line of defense. The development of a tiered testing strategy for NM hazard assessment that promotes the more widespread adoption of non-rodent, alternative models and focuses on investigation of inflammation and oxidative stress could make nanotoxicology testing more ethical, relevant, and cost and time efficient.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel Verdon
- a Nano Safety Research Group , Heriot-Watt University , Edinburgh , UK
| | - Suzanne Gillies
- a Nano Safety Research Group , Heriot-Watt University , Edinburgh , UK
| | - David M Brown
- a Nano Safety Research Group , Heriot-Watt University , Edinburgh , UK
| | | | - Theodore B Henry
- a Nano Safety Research Group , Heriot-Watt University , Edinburgh , UK
| | - Adriano G Rossi
- b Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK
| | - Lang Tran
- c Institute of Occupational Medicine , Edinburgh , UK
| | - Carl Tucker
- b Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK
| | - Charles R Tyler
- d Department of Biosciences , College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter , Exeter , UK
| | - Vicki Stone
- a Nano Safety Research Group , Heriot-Watt University , Edinburgh , UK
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Noonan HR, Metelo AM, Kamei CN, Peterson RT, Drummond IA, Iliopoulos O. Loss of vhl in the zebrafish pronephros recapitulates early stages of human clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Dis Model Mech 2017; 9:873-84. [PMID: 27491085 PMCID: PMC5007981 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.024380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) disease harbor a germline mutation in the VHL gene leading to the development of several tumor types including clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). In addition, the VHL gene is inactivated in over 90% of sporadic ccRCC cases. ‘Clear cell’ tumors contain large, proliferating cells with ‘clear cytoplasm’, and a reduced number of cilia. VHL inactivation leads to the stabilization of hypoxia inducible factors 1a and 2a [HIF1a and HIF2a (HIF2a is also known as EPAS1)] with consequent up-regulation of specific target genes involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis and erythropoiesis. A zebrafish model with a homozygous inactivation in the VHL gene (vhl−/−) recapitulates several aspects of the human disease, including development of highly vascular lesions in the brain and the retina and erythrocytosis. Here, we characterize for the first time the epithelial abnormalities present in the kidney of the vhl−/− zebrafish larvae as a first step in building a model of ccRCC in zebrafish. Our data show that the vhl−/− zebrafish kidney is characterized by an increased tubule diameter, disorganized cilia, the dramatic formation of cytoplasmic lipid vesicles, glycogen accumulation, aberrant cell proliferation and abnormal apoptosis. This phenotype of the vhl−/− pronephros is reminiscent of clear cell histology, indicating that the vhl−/− mutant zebrafish might serve as a model of early stage RCC. Treatment of vhl−/− zebrafish embryos with a small-molecule HIF2a inhibitor rescued the pronephric abnormalities, underscoring the value of the zebrafish model in drug discovery for treatment of VHL disease and ccRCC. Summary: Zebrafish with an inactivating mutation in the vhl gene can be used as a model of early stage clear cell renal cell carcinoma, with applications for genetic studies and drug screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley R Noonan
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ana M Metelo
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3001-401, Portugal
| | - Caramai N Kamei
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Randall T Peterson
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02114, USA
| | - Iain A Drummond
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Othon Iliopoulos
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02142, USA
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Liu X, Li YS, Shinton SA, Rhodes J, Tang L, Feng H, Jette CA, Look AT, Hayakawa K, Hardy RR. Zebrafish B Cell Development without a Pre-B Cell Stage, Revealed by CD79 Fluorescence Reporter Transgenes. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 199:1706-1715. [PMID: 28739882 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CD79a and CD79b proteins associate with Ig receptors as integral signaling components of the B cell Ag receptor complex. To study B cell development in zebrafish, we isolated orthologs of these genes and performed in situ hybridization, finding that their expression colocalized with IgH-μ in the kidney, which is the site of B cell development. CD79 transgenic lines were made by linking the promoter and upstream regulatory segments of CD79a and CD79b to enhanced GFP to identify B cells, as demonstrated by PCR analysis of IgH-μ expression in sorted cells. We crossed these CD79-GFP lines to a recombination activating gene (Rag)2:mCherry transgenic line to identify B cell development stages in kidney marrow. Initiation of CD79:GFP expression in Rag2:mCherry+ cells and the timing of Ig H and L chain expression revealed simultaneous expression of both IgH-μ- and IgL-κ-chains, without progressing through the stage of IgH-μ-chain alone. Rag2:mCherry+ cells without CD79:GFP showed the highest Rag1 and Rag2 mRNAs compared with CD79a and CD79b:GFP+ B cells, which showed strongly reduced Rag mRNAs. Thus, B cell development in zebrafish does not go through a Raghi CD79+IgH-μ+ pre-B cell stage, different from mammals. After the generation of CD79:GFP+ B cells, decreased CD79 expression occurred upon differentiation to Ig secretion, as detected by alteration from membrane to secreted IgH-μ exon usage, similar to in mammals. This confirmed a conserved role for CD79 in B cell development and differentiation, without the requirement of a pre-B cell stage in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingjun Liu
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111
| | - Yue-Sheng Li
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111.,DNA Sequencing and Genomic Core, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | | | | | | | - Hui Feng
- The Center for Cancer Research, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118
| | - Cicely A Jette
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84103; and
| | - A Thomas Look
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
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36
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Sugano Y, Cianciolo Cosentino C, Loffing-Cueni D, Neuhauss SCF, Loffing J. Comparative transcriptomic analysis identifies evolutionarily conserved gene products in the vertebrate renal distal convoluted tubule. Pflugers Arch 2017; 469:859-867. [PMID: 28656378 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-017-2009-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular basis of the complex regulatory networks controlling renal ion transports is of major physiological and clinical importance. In this study, we aimed to identify evolutionarily conserved critical players in the function of the renal distal convoluted tubule (DCT) by a comparative transcriptomic approach. We generated a transgenic zebrafish line with expression of the red fluorescent mCherry protein under the control of the zebrafish DCT-specific promoter of the thiazide-sensitive NaCl cotransporter (NCC). The mCherry expression was then used to isolate from the zebrafish mesonephric kidneys the distal late (DL) segments, the equivalent of the mammalian DCT, for subsequent RNA-seq analysis. We next compared this zebrafish DL transcriptome to the previously established mouse DCT transcriptome and identified a subset of gene products significantly enriched in both the teleost DL and the mammalian DCT, including SLCs and nuclear transcription factors. Surprisingly, several of the previously described regulators of NCC (e.g., SPAK, KLHL3, ppp1r1a) in the mouse were not found enriched in the zebrafish DL. Nevertheless, the zebrafish DL expressed enriched levels of related homologues. Functional knockdown of one of these genes, ppp1r1b, reduced the phosphorylation of NCC in the zebrafish pronephros, similar to what was seen previously in knockout mice for its homologue, Ppp1r1a. The present work is the first report on global gene expression profiling in a specific nephron portion of the zebrafish kidney, an increasingly used model system for kidney research. Our study suggests that comparative analysis of gene expression between phylogenetically distant species may be an effective approach to identify novel regulators of renal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Sugano
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Cianciolo Cosentino
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Loffing-Cueni
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephan C F Neuhauss
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Johannes Loffing
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Swiss National Center of Competence in Research "Kidney.CH", Zurich, Switzerland.
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37
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Datta R, Wong A, Camarata T, Tamanna F, Ilahi I, Vasilyev A. Precise Cellular Ablation Approach for Modeling Acute Kidney Injury in Developing Zebrafish. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28605371 DOI: 10.3791/55606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a common medical condition with a high mortality rate. With the repair abilities of the kidney, it is possible to restore adequate kidney function after supportive treatment. However, a better understanding of how nephron cell death and repair occur on the cellular level is required to minimize cell death and to enhance the regenerative process. The zebrafish pronephros is a good model system to accomplish this goal because it contains anatomical segments that are similar to the mammalian nephron. Previously, the most common model used to study kidney injury in fish was the pharmacological gentamicin model. However, this model does not allow for precise spatiotemporal control of injury, and hence it is difficult to study cellular and molecular processes involved in kidney repair. To overcome this limitation, this work presents a method through which, in contrast to the gentamicin approach, a specific Green Fuorescent Protein (GFP)-expressing nephron segment can be photoablated using a violet laser light (405 nm). This novel model of AKI provides many advantages that other methods of epithelial injury lack. Its main advantages are the ability to "dial" the level of injury and the precise spatiotemporal control in the robust in vivo animal model. This new method has the potential to significantly advance the level of understanding of kidney injury and repair mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ada Wong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, NYITCOM
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38
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Siegerist F, Zhou W, Endlich K, Endlich N. 4D in vivo imaging of glomerular barrier function in a zebrafish podocyte injury model. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2017; 220:167-173. [PMID: 27414464 DOI: 10.1111/apha.12754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
AIM Zebrafish larvae with their simplified pronephros are an ideal model to study glomerular physiology. Although several groups use zebrafish larvae to assess glomerular barrier function, temporary or slight changes are still difficult to measure. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of in vivo two-photon microscopy (2-PM) for long-term imaging of glomerular barrier function in zebrafish larvae. METHODS As a proof of principle, we adapted the nitroreductase/metronidazole model of targeted podocyte ablation for 2-PM. Combination with a strain, which expresses eGFP-vitamin D-binding protein in the blood plasma, led to a strain that allowed induction of podocyte injury with parallel assessment of glomerular barrier function. We used four-dimensional (4D) 2-PM to assess eGFP fluorescence over 26 h in the vasculature and in tubules of multiple zebrafish larvae (5 days post-fertilization) simultaneously. RESULTS By 4D 2-PM, we observed that, under physiological conditions, eGFP fluorescence was retained in the vasculature and rarely detected in proximal tubule cells. Application of metronidazole induced podocyte injury and cell death as shown by TUNEL staining. Induction of podocyte injury resulted in a dramatic decrease of eGFP fluorescence in the vasculature over time (about 50% and 90% after 2 and 12 h respectively). Loss of vascular eGFP fluorescence was paralleled by an endocytosis-mediated accumulation of eGFP fluorescence in proximal tubule cells, indicating proteinuria. CONCLUSION We established a microscopy-based method to monitor the dynamics of glomerular barrier function during induction of podocyte injury in multiple zebrafish larvae simultaneously over 26 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Siegerist
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; University Medicine Greifswald; Greifswald Germany
| | - W. Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases; University of Michigan; Ann Arbor MI USA
| | - K. Endlich
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; University Medicine Greifswald; Greifswald Germany
| | - N. Endlich
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; University Medicine Greifswald; Greifswald Germany
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39
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Frosk P, Arts HH, Philippe J, Gunn CS, Brown EL, Chodirker B, Simard L, Majewski J, Fahiminiya S, Russell C, Liu YP, Hegele R, Katsanis N, Goerz C, Del Bigio MR, Davis EE. A truncating mutation in CEP55 is the likely cause of MARCH, a novel syndrome affecting neuronal mitosis. J Med Genet 2017; 54:490-501. [PMID: 28264986 PMCID: PMC5502313 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2016-104296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Hydranencephaly is a congenital anomaly leading to replacement of the cerebral hemispheres with a fluid-filled cyst. The goals of this work are to describe a novel autosomal-recessive syndrome that includes hydranencephaly (multinucleated neurons, anhydramnios, renal dysplasia, cerebellar hypoplasia and hydranencephaly (MARCH)); to identify its genetic cause(s) and to provide functional insight into pathomechanism. Methods We used homozygosity mapping and exome sequencing to identify recessive mutations in a single family with three affected fetuses. Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and imaging in cell lines, and zebrafish models, were used to explore the function of the gene and the effect of the mutation. Results We identified a homozygous nonsense mutation in CEP55 segregating with MARCH. Testing the effect of this allele on patient-derived cells indicated both a reduction of the overall CEP55 message and the production of a message that likely gives rise to a truncated protein. Suppression or ablation of cep55l in zebrafish embryos recapitulated key features of MARCH, most notably renal dysplasia, cerebellar hypoplasia and craniofacial abnormalities. These phenotypes could be rescued by full-length but not truncated human CEP55 message. Finally, we expressed the truncated form of CEP55 in human cells, where we observed a failure of truncated protein to localise to the midbody, leading to abscission failure and multinucleated daughter cells. Conclusions CEP55 loss of function mutations likely underlie MARCH, a novel multiple congenital anomaly syndrome. This association expands the involvement of centrosomal proteins in human genetic disorders by highlighting a role in midbody function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Frosk
- Departments of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada.,Departments of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Heleen H Arts
- Departments of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Julien Philippe
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Carter S Gunn
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Emma L Brown
- Departments of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bernard Chodirker
- Departments of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada.,Departments of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Louise Simard
- Departments of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Jacek Majewski
- McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Somayyeh Fahiminiya
- McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Chad Russell
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yangfan P Liu
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | | | - Robert Hegele
- Departments of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Departments of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicholas Katsanis
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Conrad Goerz
- Departments of Pathology, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Marc R Del Bigio
- Departments of Pathology, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada.,Diagnostic Services Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Erica E Davis
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Abstract
The Xenopus genus includes several members of aquatic frogs native to Africa but is perhaps best known for the species Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis. These species were popularized as model organisms from as early as the 1800s and have been instrumental in expanding several biological fields including cell biology, environmental toxicology, regenerative biology, and developmental biology. In fact, much of what we know about the formation and maturation of the vertebrate renal system has been acquired by examining the intricate genetic and morphological patterns that epitomize nephrogenesis in Xenopus. From these numerous reports, we have learned that the process of kidney development is as unique among organs as it is conserved among vertebrates. While development of most organs involves increases in size at a single location, development of the kidney occurs through a series of three increasingly complex nephric structures that are temporally distinct from one another and which occupy discrete spatial locales within the body. These three renal systems all serve to provide homeostatic, osmoregulatory, and excretory functions in animals. Importantly, the kidneys in amphibians, such as Xenopus, are less complex and more easily accessed than those in mammals, and thus tadpoles and frogs provide useful models for understanding our own kidney development. Several descriptive and mechanistic studies conducted with the Xenopus model system have allowed us to elucidate the cellular and molecular mediators of renal patterning and have also laid the foundation for our current understanding of kidney repair mechanisms in vertebrates. While some species-specific responses to renal injury have been observed, we still recognize the advantage of the Xenopus system due to its distinctive similarity to mammalian wound healing, reparative, and regenerative responses. In addition, the first evidence of renal regeneration in an amphibian system was recently demonstrated in Xenopus laevis. As genetic and molecular tools continue to advance, our appreciation for and utilization of this amphibian model organism can only intensify and will certainly provide ample opportunities to further our understanding of renal development and repair.
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42
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Abstract
The pronephros is the first kidney type to form in vertebrate embryos. The first step of pronephrogenesis in the zebrafish is the formation of the intermediate mesoderm during gastrulation, which occurs in response to secreted morphogens such as BMPs and Nodals. Patterning of the intermediate mesoderm into proximal and distal cell fates is induced by retinoic acid signaling with downstream transcription factors including wt1a, pax2a, pax8, hnf1b, sim1a, mecom, and irx3b. In the anterior intermediate mesoderm, progenitors of the glomerular blood filter migrate and fuse at the midline and recruit a blood supply. More posteriorly localized tubule progenitors undergo epithelialization and fuse with the cloaca. The Notch signaling pathway regulates the formation of multi-ciliated cells in the tubules and these cells help propel the filtrate to the cloaca. The lumenal sheer stress caused by flow down the tubule activates anterior collective migration of the proximal tubules and induces stretching and proliferation of the more distal segments. Ultimately these processes create a simple two-nephron kidney that is capable of reabsorbing and secreting solutes and expelling excess water-processes that are critical to the homeostasis of the body fluids. The zebrafish pronephric kidney provides a simple, yet powerful, model system to better understand the conserved molecular and cellular progresses that drive nephron formation, structure, and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard W Naylor
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Sarah S Qubisi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Alan J Davidson
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
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43
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Kersten S, Arjona FJ. Ion transport in the zebrafish kidney from a human disease angle: possibilities, considerations, and future perspectives. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2017; 312:F172-F189. [DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00425.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Unique experimental advantages, such as its embryonic/larval transparency, high-throughput nature, and ease of genetic modification, underpin the rapid emergence of the zebrafish ( Danio rerio) as a preeminent model in biomedical research. Particularly in the field of nephrology, the zebrafish provides a promising model for studying the physiological implications of human solute transport processes along consecutive nephron segments. However, although the zebrafish might be considered a valuable model for numerous renal ion transport diseases and functional studies of many channels and transporters, not all human renal electrolyte transport mechanisms and human diseases can be modeled in the zebrafish. With this review, we explore the ontogeny of zebrafish renal ion transport, its nephron structure and function, and thereby demonstrate the clinical translational value of this model. By critical assessment of genomic and amino acid conservation of human proteins involved in renal ion handling (channels, transporters, and claudins), kidney and nephron segment conservation, and renal electrolyte transport physiology in the zebrafish, we provide researchers and nephrologists with an indication of the possibilities and considerations of the zebrafish as a model for human renal ion transport. Combined with advanced techniques envisioned for the future, implementation of the zebrafish might expand beyond unraveling pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie distinct genetic or environmentally, i.e., pharmacological and lifestyle, induced renal transport deficits. Specifically, the ease of drug administration and the exploitation of improved genetic approaches might argue for the adoption of the zebrafish as a model for preclinical personalized medicine for distinct renal diseases and renal electrolyte transport proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Kersten
- Department of Physiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; and
- Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts
| | - Francisco J. Arjona
- Department of Physiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; and
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44
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Sharma KR, Heckler K, Stoll SJ, Hillebrands JL, Kynast K, Herpel E, Porubsky S, Elger M, Hadaschik B, Bieback K, Hammes HP, Nawroth PP, Kroll J. ELMO1 protects renal structure and ultrafiltration in kidney development and under diabetic conditions. Sci Rep 2016; 6:37172. [PMID: 27849017 PMCID: PMC5111104 DOI: 10.1038/srep37172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Engulfment and cell motility 1 (ELMO1) functions as a guanine exchange factor for Rac1 and was recently found to protect endothelial cells from apoptosis. Genome wide association studies suggest that polymorphisms within human elmo1 act as a potential contributing factor for the development of diabetic nephropathy. Yet, the function of ELMO1 with respect to the glomerulus and how this protein contributes to renal pathology was unknown. Thus, this study aimed to identify the role played by ELMO1 in renal development in zebrafish, under hyperglycaemic conditions, and in diabetic nephropathy patients. In zebrafish, hyperglycaemia did not alter renal ELMO1 expression. However, hyperglycaemia leads to pathophysiological and functional alterations within the pronephros, which could be rescued via ELMO1 overexpression. Zebrafish ELMO1 crispants exhibited a renal pathophysiology due to increased apoptosis which could be rescued by the inhibition of apoptosis. In human samples, immunohistochemical staining of ELMO1 in nondiabetic, diabetic and polycystic kidneys localized ELMO1 in glomerular podocytes and in the tubules. However, ELMO1 was not specifically or distinctly regulated under either one of the disease conditions. Collectively, these results highlight ELMO1 as an important factor for glomerular protection and renal cell survival via decreasing apoptosis, especially under diabetic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Rakesh Sharma
- Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis, Center for Biomedicine and Medical Technology Mannheim (CBTM), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Karl Heckler
- Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis, Center for Biomedicine and Medical Technology Mannheim (CBTM), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sandra J Stoll
- Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis, Center for Biomedicine and Medical Technology Mannheim (CBTM), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,Division of Vascular Oncology and Metastasis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jan-Luuk Hillebrands
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Division of Pathology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Katharina Kynast
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Esther Herpel
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Tissue Bank of the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Porubsky
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marlies Elger
- Institue of Neuroanatomy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Boris Hadaschik
- Department of Urology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karen Bieback
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology and FlowCore Manneim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Hammes
- Fifth Medical Department, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Peter P Nawroth
- Department of Medicine I and Clinical Chemistry, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jens Kroll
- Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis, Center for Biomedicine and Medical Technology Mannheim (CBTM), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,Division of Vascular Oncology and Metastasis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance), Heidelberg, Germany
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45
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Lindstrand A, Frangakis S, Carvalho C, Richardson E, McFadden K, Willer J, Pehlivan D, Liu P, Pediaditakis I, Sabo A, Lewis R, Banin E, Lupski J, Davis E, Katsanis N. Copy-Number Variation Contributes to the Mutational Load of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome. Am J Hum Genet 2016; 99:318-36. [PMID: 27486776 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2015.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a defining ciliopathy, notable for extensive allelic and genetic heterogeneity, almost all of which has been identified through sequencing. Recent data have suggested that copy-number variants (CNVs) also contribute to BBS. We used a custom oligonucleotide array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) covering 20 genes that encode intraflagellar transport (IFT) components and 74 ciliopathy loci to screen 92 unrelated individuals with BBS, irrespective of their known mutational burden. We identified 17 individuals with exon-disruptive CNVs (18.5%), including 13 different deletions in eight BBS genes (BBS1, BBS2, ARL6/BBS3, BBS4, BBS5, BBS7, BBS9, and NPHP1) and a deletion and a duplication in other ciliopathy-associated genes (ALMS1 and NPHP4, respectively). By contrast, we found a single heterozygous exon-disruptive event in a BBS-associated gene (BBS9) in 229 control subjects. Superimposing these data with resequencing revealed CNVs to (1) be sufficient to cause disease, (2) Mendelize heterozygous deleterious alleles, and (3) contribute oligogenic alleles by combining point mutations and exonic CNVs in multiple genes. Finally, we report a deletion and a splice site mutation in IFT74, inherited under a recessive paradigm, defining a candidate BBS locus. Our data suggest that CNVs contribute pathogenic alleles to a substantial fraction of BBS-affected individuals and highlight how either deletions or point mutations in discrete splice isoforms can induce hypomorphic mutations in genes otherwise intolerant to deleterious variation. Our data also suggest that CNV analyses and resequencing studies unbiased for previous mutational burden is necessary to delineate the complexity of disease architecture.
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Abstract
Proper control of the temporal onset of cellular differentiation is critical for regulating cell lineage decisions and morphogenesis during development. Pbx homeodomain transcription factors have emerged as important regulators of cellular differentiation. We previously showed, by using antisense morpholino knockdown, that Pbx factors are needed for the timely activation of myocardial differentiation in zebrafish. In order to gain further insight into the roles of Pbx factors in heart development, we show here that zebrafish pbx4 mutant embryos exhibit delayed onset of myocardial differentiation, such as delayed activation of tnnt2a expression in early cardiomyocytes in the anterior lateral plate mesoderm. We also observe delayed myocardial morphogenesis and dysmorphic patterning of the ventricle and atrium, consistent with our previous Pbx knock-down studies. In addition, we find that pbx4 mutant larvae have aberrant outflow tracts and defective expression of the proepicardial marker tbx18. Finally, we present evidence for Pbx expression in cardiomyocyte precursors as well as heterogeneous Pbx expression among the pan-cytokeratin-expressing proepicardial cells near the developing ventricle. In summary, our data show that Pbx4 is required for the proper temporal activation of myocardial differentiation and establish a basis for studying additional roles of Pbx factors in heart development.
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47
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Nephron Patterning: Lessons from Xenopus, Zebrafish, and Mouse Studies. Cells 2015; 4:483-99. [PMID: 26378582 PMCID: PMC4588047 DOI: 10.3390/cells4030483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The nephron is the basic structural and functional unit of the vertebrate kidney. To ensure kidney functions, the nephrons possess a highly segmental organization where each segment is specialized for the secretion and reabsorption of particular solutes. During embryogenesis, nephron progenitors undergo a mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) and acquire different segment-specific cell fates along the proximo-distal axis of the nephron. Even if the morphological changes occurring during nephrogenesis are characterized, the regulatory networks driving nephron segmentation are still poorly understood. Interestingly, several studies have shown that the pronephric nephrons in Xenopus and zebrafish are segmented in a similar fashion as the mouse metanephric nephrons. Here we review functional and molecular aspects of nephron segmentation with a particular interest on the signaling molecules and transcription factors recently implicated in kidney development in these three different vertebrate model organisms. A complete understanding of the mechanisms underlying nephrogenesis in different model organisms will provide novel insights on the etiology of several human renal diseases.
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48
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Sugano Y, Lindenmeyer MT, Auberger I, Ziegler U, Segerer S, Cohen CD, Neuhauss SCF, Loffing J. The Rho-GTPase binding protein IQGAP2 is required for the glomerular filtration barrier. Kidney Int 2015; 88:1047-56. [PMID: 26154927 DOI: 10.1038/ki.2015.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Revised: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Podocyte dysfunction impairs the size selectivity of the glomerular filter, leading to proteinuria, hypoalbuminuria, and edema, clinically defined as nephrotic syndrome. Hereditary forms of nephrotic syndrome are linked to mutations in podocyte-specific genes. To identify genes contributing to podocyte dysfunction in acquired nephrotic syndrome, we studied human glomerular gene expression data sets for glomerular-enriched gene transcripts differentially regulated between pretransplant biopsy samples and biopsies from patients with nephrotic syndrome. Candidate genes were screened by in situ hybridization for expression in the zebrafish pronephros, an easy-to-use in vivo assay system to assess podocyte function. One glomerulus-enriched product was the Rho-GTPase binding protein, IQGAP2. Immunohistochemistry found a strong presence of IQGAP2 in normal human and zebrafish podocytes. In zebrafish larvae, morpholino-based knockdown of iqgap2 caused a mild foot process effacement of zebrafish podocytes and a cystic dilation of the urinary space of Bowman's capsule upon onset of urinary filtration. Moreover, the glomerulus of zebrafish morphants showed a glomerular permeability for injected high-molecular-weight dextrans, indicating an impaired size selectivity of the glomerular filter. Thus, IQGAP2 is a Rho-GTPase binding protein, highly abundant in human and zebrafish podocytes, which controls normal podocyte structure and function as evidenced in the zebrafish pronephros.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Sugano
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Ines Auberger
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Urs Ziegler
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Center for Microscopy and Image Analysis, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Segerer
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Division of Nephrology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Clemens D Cohen
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Division of Nephrology, Klinikum Harlaching, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan C F Neuhauss
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Loffing
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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49
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Baranowska Körberg I, Hofmeister W, Markljung E, Cao J, Nilsson D, Ludwig M, Draaken M, Holmdahl G, Barker G, Reutter H, Vukojević V, Clementson Kockum C, Lundin J, Lindstrand A, Nordenskjöld A. WNT3 involvement in human bladder exstrophy and cloaca development in zebrafish. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:5069-78. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
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50
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Recent advances in elucidating the genetic mechanisms of nephrogenesis using zebrafish. Cells 2015; 4:218-33. [PMID: 26024215 PMCID: PMC4493457 DOI: 10.3390/cells4020218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The kidney is comprised of working units known as nephrons, which are epithelial tubules that contain a series of specialized cell types organized into a precise pattern of functionally distinct segment domains. There is a limited understanding of the genetic mechanisms that establish these discrete nephron cell types during renal development. The zebrafish embryonic kidney serves as a simplified yet conserved vertebrate model to delineate how nephron segments are patterned from renal progenitors. Here, we provide a concise review of recent advances in this emerging field, and discuss how continued research using zebrafish genetics can be applied to gain insightsabout nephrogenesis.
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