Identification of expression patterns of FoxP1 in the kidneys using RiboTag mice and RNA sequencing
Intercalated cells within renal tubules play a vital role in maintaining body acid-base balance through H+ and HCO3- secretion. Disruptions in intercalated cell differentiation or channel activity due to gene mutations can lead to distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA), yet the precise mechanisms governing this process remain poorly understood. This study identified Foxp1 and its downstream factors as novel essential factors for intercalated cell differentiation, thus shed light on potential underlying mechanisms in some unresolved cases of dRTA. Overall design: To investigate the role of Foxp1 in kidney collecting tube, we generated the Cdh16-cre;Foxp1fl/fl (thereafter denoted as FoxP1kspKO) by crossing the Foxp1fl/fl mice with the Cdh16-Cre (also known as the Ksp-Cre) mice. In these mice, FoxP1 is conditionally knocked out in kidney tubular cells and the absence Foxp1 expression in kidney tubular cells was confirmed by immunostaining.