title: Expression of BCL-2 in the developing kidney of human embryos and fetuses qualitative and quantitative study.
abstract: Twelve human embryos and fetuses aged of 7-30 weeks of intrauterinal life were examined to determine the expression of bcl-2 gene in the developing kidney. Tissue samples were routinely processed and three-step indirect immunohistochemical method was used for the detection of Bcl-2 protein. End-point cytophotometry was performed with computer-controlled microscope photometer with a scanning table and the mean relative absorbance of the final product of peroxidase reaction was determined and taken as a measure of Bcl-2 expression. The morphometric evaluation was carried out from the TV display using Weibel s universal hexagonal raster and we determined the relative volume of Bcl-2 positive structures in the various zones of the embryonal kidney. The aim of our research was mapping of the Bcl-2 occurrence in the developing kidney of human embryos and fetuses. The Bcl-2 protein is involved in the regulation of apoptosis and its effect is antiapoptotic. The highest Bcl-2 expression was proved in the cells of metanephrogenic blastema. The lower occurrence of Bcl-2 positive cells was demonstrated in proximal tubules analges+ and it was almost on the borderline of detection in branches of ureteral bud. In the fetal period the marked Bcl-2 expression was maintained in the epithelial cells of proximal tubules analges.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lichnovský
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Erdösová
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Punkt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zapletal
mesh_terms: D003592:Cytophotometry; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005333:Fetus; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D019254:Genes, bcl-2; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D007672:Kidney Cortex / Q000196:embryology; D007679:Kidney Medulla / Q000196:embryology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2