Localization of basement membrane glycoproteins in rat kidney during foetal development

Abstract

The distribution of basement membrane glycoproteins (type IV collagen, laminin, fibronectin, and proteoglycans) was studied in foetal rat kidney by immunohistochemical techniques using polyclonal antibodies. From the first stages of nephron differentiation, all these glycoproteins were detectable by immunofluorescence in the tubular and glomerular basement membranes and in the mesangial matrix. As differentiation proceeded, labelling of glycoproteins progressively intensified, except for that of fibronectin, which gradually decreased in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and was barely observable at full differentiation. With immunoperoxidase staining in electron microscopy, all glycoproteins were seen to be widely dispersed in the spaces between the epithelial and endothelial glomerular cells so long as the GBM remained a loose structure. However, after it became a compact, 3-layered formation, type IV collagen and laminin were distributed throughout the GBM, whereas proteoglycans and anionic sites appeared as 2 rows of granules confined to the laminae rarae.

Expression of Extracellular Matrix Proteins in Basal Membranes During Fetal Nephron Development in Mice

“…Moreover, the basement membranes in all stages of nephron development have these molecules, which sometime their distribution is irregular and heterogenic. Laminin, collagen type IV and nidogen distribution were found regular, continue in the basement membrane of mature nephron whereas fibronectin was situated on the lateral side of cell-cell contact and around the glomerular mesenchymal cells [2,25,27,[39][40][41]. Our immunohistochemistry results for laminin, nidogen and fibronectin were similar to the previous studies in this respect.…”

Expression of novel basement membrane components in the developing human kidney and eye

“…These mesenchymal cells differentiate into epithelia and are induced to form the nephron in a series of morphologically defined steps (Abrahamson, 1987). Antibodies to BM macromolecules-type IV collagen, laminin, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPGI-have been useful reagents with which to study the appearance of BM in developing kidney using immunohistochemical techniques (Ekblom et al, 1980Ekblom, 1981;Aufderheide et al, 1987;Cheignon et al, 1987;Lelongt et al, 1987). These molecules have been detected a t the earliest stages of nephron development.…”