title: Mechanism of cystogenesis in nephrotic kidneys: a histopathological study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is pathological condition characterized by heavy proteinuria. Our study investigates hypothesis that change in cell proliferation of proximal tubules influences primary cilia structure and function and promotes cystogenesis in congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type (CNF) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).
  
  
  METHODS
  CNF kidneys were analyzed genetically. Proliferation (Ki-67), apoptosis (caspase-3), and primary cilia (α-tubulin) length and structure were analyzed immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally in healthy, CNF and FSGS kidneys. Cyst diameters were measured and correlated with proliferation index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Proximal tubules cells of healthy kidneys did not proliferate. In nephrotic kidneys, tubules with apparently normal diameter covered by cuboidal/columnar epithelium (PTNC) contained 81.54% of proliferating cells in CNF and 36.18% in FSGS, while cysts covered with columnar epithelium (CC) contained 37.52% of proliferating cells in CNF and 45.23% in FSGS. The largest cysts, covered with squamous epithelium (CS) had 11.54% of proliferating cells in CNF and 13.76% in FSGS. Increase in cysts diameter correlated with changes in proliferation index, tubular cells shape, primary cilia formation and appearance of apoptotic cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We present a novel histopathological data on the structure and possible changes in function of tubular cell in NS kidneys during cystogenesis. We suggest existence of common principles of cystogenesis in CNF and FSGS kidneys, including serious disturbances of tubular cells proliferation and apoptosis, and faulty primary cilia signaling leading to deterioration of proteinuria in NS kidneys.
authors.forename: Marijan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saraga
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vukojević
authors.forename: Vjekoslav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Krželj
authors.forename: Zvonimir
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Puretić
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bočina
authors.forename: Merica Glavina
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Durdov
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dworniczak
authors.forename: Danica Galešić
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Ljubanović
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia. msb@mefst.hr.
authors.forename: Mirna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saraga-Babić
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005923:Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007687:Kidney Tubules, Proximal / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000473:pathology*