title: Progesterone induced mesenchymal differentiation and rescued cystic dilation of renal tubules of Pkd1(-/-) mice.
abstract: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most common hereditary disease affecting the kidneys, is caused in 85% of cases by mutations in the PKD1 gene. The protein encoded by this gene, polycystin-1, is a renal epithelial cell membrane mechanoreceptor, sensing morphogenetic cues in the extracellular environment, which regulate the tissue architecture and differentiation. However, how such mutations result in the formation of cysts is still unclear. We performed a precise characterization of mesenchymal differentiation using PAX2, WNT4 and WT1 as a marker, which revealed that impairment of the differentiation process preceded the development of cysts in Pkd1(-/-) mice. We performed an in vitro organ culture and found that progesterone and a derivative thereof facilitated mesenchymal differentiation, and partially prevented the formation of cysts in Pkd1(-/-) kidneys. An injection of progesterone or this derivative into the intraperitoneal space of pregnant females also improved the survival of Pkd1(-/-) embryos. Our findings suggest that compounds which enhance mesenchymal differentiation in the nephrogenesis might be useful for the therapeutic approach to prevent the formation of cysts in ADPKD patients.
authors: Department of Urology, Saitama Medical University, Moroyama, Iruma-gun, Saitama 350-0495, Japan.
authors: Tomoka
authors: T
authors: Wachi
authors: Noriyuki
authors: N
authors: Yoshida
authors: Yoshihiko
authors: Y
authors: Funae
authors: Munehisa
authors: M
authors: Ueno
authors: Gregory G
authors: GG
authors: Germino
authors: Shinji
authors: S
authors: Hirotsune
authors: Nobuhiro
authors: N
authors: Deguchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003560:Cysts / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000196:embryology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D016891:Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D050396:TRPP Cation Channels / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone; D050396:TRPP Cation Channels