Distribution of renin mRNA and its protein in the developing kidney

Abstract

The intrarenal distribution of renin changes markedly during maturation. To determine whether renin gene expression changes along the developing renal vasculature, renin mRNA distribution was assessed using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Fetal, newborn, and adult kidney tissue sections from Wistar-Kyoto rats were hybridized with an oligonucleotide complementary to rat renin mRNA. In fetal kidneys, renin mRNA was found in the vascular pole of juxtamedullary glomeruli and along afferent, interlobular, and arcuate arteries. In kidneys from newborn rats, renin mRNA localized throughout the whole length of afferent arterioles, but was not detected in interlobular or arcuate arteries. In adult kidneys, hybridization signals were less intense and confined to the juxtaglomerular apparatus. Immunolocalization of renin with a polyclonal anti-rat renin antibody paralleled closely the mRNA distribution. Northern blot analyses demonstrated that renin mRNA levels were higher in fetal and newborn (20- and 10-fold, respectively) than in adult kidneys. We conclude the following. 1) The fetal kidney expresses the renin gene. 2) Expression of the renin gene is subjected to developmental changes. 3) As maturation progresses, localization of renin synthesis and storage shifts from large intrarenal arteries to a restricted, classical juxtaglomerular site in the afferent arteriole.

A genetically clamped renin transgene for the induction of hypertension

“…Immunohistochemistry for renin was performed as described (18). The total number of glomeruli (TG) and those with renin-positive juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) were counted in two sections per kidney.…”

“…The total number of glomeruli (TG) and those with renin-positive juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) were counted in two sections per kidney. The percentage of renin-positive JGA was determined as (number of renin-positive JGA in all sections) ϫ 100͞TG (18).…”

Granulation Rescue and Developmental Marking of Juxtaglomerular Cells Using “Piggy-BAC” Recombination of the Mouse RenLocus

“…As the more distal vessels become differentiated, renin expression parallels the progression of vasculogenesis and is no longer observed in the proximal arteries. During post-natal renal maturation, renin expression becomes restricted to the distal portion of the afferent arterioles in the JG cells (12). Previous attempts to direct reporter gene expression under defined renin promoter sequences have had mixed success.…”

Ontogeny of the (pro)renin receptor

“…By E15.5, renin, a major ligand for (P)RR, is widely expressed in branches of the renal, interlobar, and arcuate arteries. With fetal maturation, renin expression shifts to its mature localization in juxtaglomerular cells (15)(16)(17). Renin synthesis and renin mRNA and Ang II levels are 20-fold and sixfold higher, respectively, in newborn than in adult kidneys (16)(17)(18)(19).…”

“…With fetal maturation, renin expression shifts to its mature localization in juxtaglomerular cells (15)(16)(17). Renin synthesis and renin mRNA and Ang II levels are 20-fold and sixfold higher, respectively, in newborn than in adult kidneys (16)(17)(18)(19). Global genetic inactivation of renin in mice causes arterial wall thickening, hypoplastic papilla, hydronephrosis, interstitial fibrosis, and glomerulosclerosis (20).…”