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.
Cancer Research Campaign Epithelial Morphogenesis Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom.
J A
JA
Davies
D R
DR
Garrod
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