Immigrating progenitor cells contribute to human podocyte turnover.
Podocyte depletion is a critical event in glomerular diseases in general and in the development of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in particular. Progenitor cell immigration is a possible mechanism of podocyte replacement for the preservation of nephron function since, with rare exception, mature podocytes are thought to be incapable of replication. We examined eight paraffin-embedded renal biopsies from six male recipients of female transplant kidneys for receiver-derived podocytes. Fluorescent in situ hybridization for the Y chromosome was combined with immunofluorescence for the podocyte marker, Wilms tumor-1 antigen. Recipient-derived podocytes were found in 4 of 8 biopsies representing 3 of the 6 patients. Overall, 5 of the 740 podocytes examined in the female-donated kidneys were male derived. Our study suggests that immigrating progenitor cells are able to replace podocytes in humans; however, the importance of this process in physiologic and pathologic conditions is unknown.
Becker
J U
JU
Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany. JanBecker@gmx.com
Hoerning
A
A
Schmid
K W
KW
Hoyer
P F
PF
D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D002452:Cell Count; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050199:Podocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*