IngentaConnect The Development of the Metanephric Kidney in the Pig

Abstract:

Aims:

The metanephric kidneys of the pig are used as xenotransplants in human medicine. In order for transplants to fit within the host organisms, the subcapsular blastema and blood vessels are crucial for the development of new nephrons to sustain the organ functions. The aim of this study is to obtain data concerning the post-natal development of metanephric nephrons in the porcine kidney. Materials and Methods:

The metanephric kidneys of six porcine fetuses with a crown-rump length ranging from 40 mm to 220 mm of eight piglets aged between 6 to 10 weeks and of three adult pigs were studied. Eight lectins as well as anti-actin and anti-myosin antibodies were used for lectin- and immunohistochemistry to study the subcapsular metanephric blastema, to visualize the blood-urine barrier in the nephrons and collecting tubules, and to study the blood vessels in both the renal cortex and marrow. Results and Conclusions:

A subcapsular metanephric blastema was still present in the kidney of 10-week-old piglets. Dense condensation of mesenchymal cells surrounded the terminal branches of the collecting ducts and showed first signs of mesenchymal-epithelial transformation. Characteristic comma-shaped and s-shaped bodies were found in and underneath the subcapsular blastema. In the fibrous renal capsule of six-week-old piglets, a first faint binding reaction of anti-actin was visible and intensified in the fibrous renal capsule in ten-week-old piglets and in adult pigs. In addition, the smooth-muscle layers of the blood vessels were stained by the anti-actin and anti-myosin antibodies. The lectins showed various affinities to the endothelium of blood vessels and to the epithelial cells lining of the capsules of the metanephric renal corpuscles, the various parts of the renal tubules, as well as the collecting tubules and the renal pelvis. The affinity of the epithelial cells to a specific lectin varies in neighbouring cells, indicating different cell activities or cell cycles.

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