Publication
Title
Stage-specific and segment-specific expression of cell-adhesion molecules n-cam, a-cam, and l-cam in the kidney
Author
Abstract
CAM expression was investigated immunohistochemically in tissue sections and in pure cultures of human proximal and distal tubular cells. In the fetal kidney, N-CAM immunoreactivity was detected in the non-induced and condensing metanephrogenic mesenchyme, and in all stages until the S-shaped bodies. A-CAM (N-cadherin) first appeared in the non-induced mesenchyme and remained present thereafter. Its expression became exclusively associated with the lower limb of the S-shaped bodies and the developing proximal tubule. In contrast, L-CAM (E-cadherin; uvomorulin) staining was observed in the fetal collecting duct, the upper limb of the S-shaped bodies, and the developing distal tubule. This segment-specific expression of A-CAM and L-CAM in the early developing nephron was maintained in the adult kidney: A-CAM staining was restricted to adherens junctions in the proximal tubule and thin limb, whereas L-CAM was expressed in Bowman's capsule and in all tubular segments except the proximal convoluted and straight tubule. Also after in vitro culture, A-CAM expression was an exclusive property of proximal tubular cells, while L-CAM was confined to distal tubular cells. In conclusion, each major subdivision of the fetal and adult nephron displays a characteristic combination of L-CAM and Al-CAM, suggesting that they may be the basis of segmental differentiation and border formation between adjacent nephron segments.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Kidney international / International Society of Nephrology. - New York, N.Y., 1972, currens
Publication
New York, N.Y. : 1993
ISSN
0085-2538 [print]
1523-1755 [online]
DOI
10.1038/KI.1993.225
Volume/pages
44 :1 , p. 147-158
ISI
A1993LG81600021
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 29.02.2012
Last edited 23.08.2022