title: Immunohistochemical markers of stem/progenitor cells in the developing human kidney.
abstract: The aim of this study was to better define, by immunohistochemistry, the molecular markers of renal stem/progenitor cells localized in the different niches of ten human preterm kidneys with gestational age ranging from 11 up to 25 weeks. Our data evidence the existence of multiple stem/progenitor pools in different zones of the human developing kidney that are characterized by different phenotypes: capsular stem cells were EMA (MUC1)+, MDM2+, Vimentin+ and Wnt1+; progenitors of the sub-capsular nephrogenic zone were MDM2+ and Wnt1+; cap mesenchymal cells were EMA (MUC1)+, CD15+, vimentin+, Wt1+, CD10+, Bcl2+, Wnt1+ and PAX2+; interstitial progenitor cells were Vimentin+, Wt1+ and α1Anti-tripsin+. Our data evidence the existence of multiple stem/progenitor cell pools in the fetal and neonatal human kidney. Progenitors of these different pools are characterized by a peculiar phenotype, indicating a different differentiation stage of these renal progenitors. A better knowledge of the molecular markers expressed by renal stem/progenitors might represent a relevant datum for researchers involved in renal regenerative medicine.
authors: Division of Pathology, Department of Surgery, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. Electronic address: alice.sanna85@tiscali.it.
authors: Alice
authors: A
authors: Sanna
authors: NICU Center and Institute of Puericulture, Department of Surgery, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors: Vassilios
authors: V
authors: Fanos
authors: Division of Pathology, Department of Surgery, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors: Clara
authors: C
authors: Gerosa
authors: Division of Pathology, Department of Surgery, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Vinci
authors: NICU Center and Institute of Puericulture, Department of Surgery, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors: Melania
authors: M
authors: Puddu
authors: NICU Center and Institute of Puericulture, Department of Surgery, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Loddo
authors: Division of Pathology, Department of Surgery, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors: Gavino
authors: G
authors: Faa
mesh_terms: D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D008297:Male; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000943:Antigens, Differentiation
keywords: Kidney; Regenerative medicine; Stem cells