Induction of early stages of kidney tubule differentiation by lithium ions.
Kidney tubules develop by a mesenchyme-epithelium transition, normally induced by ureteric bud through a mechanism that remains obscure. Murine nephrogenesis in vitro has always required heterologous inducing cells. We have discovered that Li+ can elicit the early stages of epithelial differentiation in isolated nephrogenic mesenchyme. We have made detailed comparisons of the timing of morphoregulatory molecule expression between Li(+)-mediated induction and the traditional in vitro method using induction by spinal cord. Both followed the same program of early morphoregulatory molecule expression, though Li(+)-induced samples failed to progress into the later parts of the nephrogenic process. Mesenchymes induced by Li+ showed more DNA synthesis than controls, though less than those induced by spinal cord. Discovery of a chemical means to activate differentiation in the absence of heterologous tissue offers a new basis for studying molecular mechanisms regulating the early events of nephrogenesis, as well as for investigating transduction of inductive signals that initiate the process.
Davies
J A
JA
Cancer Research Campaign Epithelial Morphogenesis Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom.
Garrod
D R
DR
D000818:Animals; D003994:Bucladesine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004848:Epithelium / Q000196:embryology; D005260:Female; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000196:embryology*; D008094:Lithium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D009024:Morphogenesis; D011247:Pregnancy; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology
D003994:Bucladesine; D004247:DNA; D008094:Lithium