PUBLICATION

Prolonged podocyte depletion in larval zebrafish resembles mammalian focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis

Authors
Hansen, K.U.I., Siegerist, F., Daniel, S., Schindler, M., Iervolino, A., Blumenthal, A., Daniel, C., Amann, K., Zhou, W., Endlich, K., Endlich, N.
ID
ZDB-PUB-201020-60
Date
2020
Source
FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology   34(12): 15961-15974 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Zhou, Weibin
Keywords
FSGS, glomerulus, podocyte injury, zebrafish model organism
MeSH Terms
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental/pathology*
  • Larva/pathogenicity*
  • Epithelial Cells/pathology
  • Animals
  • Zebrafish
  • Nephrotic Syndrome/pathology
  • Podocytes/pathology*
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Kidney Glomerulus/pathology*
  • Mammals
(all 11)
PubMed
33070374 Full text @ FASEB J.
Abstract
Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a histological pattern frequently found in patients with nephrotic syndrome that often progress to end-stage kidney disease. The initial step in development of this histologically defined entity is injury and ultimately depletion of podocytes, highly arborized interdigitating cells on the glomerular capillaries with important function for the glomerular filtration barrier. Since there are still no causal therapeutic options, animal models are needed to develop new treatment strategies. Here, we present an FSGS-like model in zebrafish larvae, an eligible vertebrate model for kidney research. In a transgenic zebrafish strain, podocytes were depleted, and the glomerular response was investigated by histological and morphometrical analysis combined with immunofluorescence staining and ultrastructural analysis by transmission electron microscopy. By intravenous injection of fluorescent high-molecular weight dextran, we confirmed leakage of the size selective filtration barrier. Additionally, we observed severe podocyte foot process effacement of remaining podocytes, activation of proximal tubule-like parietal epithelial cells identified by ultrastructural cytomorphology, and expression of proximal tubule markers. These activated cells deposited extracellular matrix on the glomerular tuft which are all hallmarks of FSGS. Our findings indicate that glomerular response to podocyte depletion in larval zebrafish resembles human FSGS in several important characteristics. Therefore, this model will help to investigate the disease development and the effects of potential drugs in a living organism.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Figure Gallery (2 images)
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Expression
Phenotype
Fish Conditions Stage Phenotype Figure
mitfaw2/w2; mi1004Tg/mi1004Tg; rw0144Tg/rw0144Tg (AB/TU)chemical treatment by environment: metronidazoleDay 6
mitfaw2/w2; mi1004Tg/mi1004Tg; rw0144Tg/rw0144Tg (AB/TU)chemical treatment by environment: metronidazoleDays 7-13
mitfaw2/w2; mi1004Tg/mi1004Tg; rw0144Tg/rw0144Tg (AB/TU)chemical treatment by environment: metronidazoleDays 7-13
mitfaw2/w2; mi1004Tg/mi1004Tg; rw0144Tg/rw0144Tg (AB/TU)chemical treatment by environment: metronidazoleDays 7-13
mitfaw2/w2; mi1004Tg/mi1004Tg; rw0144Tg/rw0144Tg (AB/TU)chemical treatment by environment: metronidazoleDays 7-13
mitfaw2/w2; mi1004Tg/mi1004Tg; rw0144Tg/rw0144Tg (AB/TU)chemical treatment by environment: metronidazoleDays 7-13
mitfaw2/w2; mi1004Tg/mi1004Tg; rw0144Tg/rw0144Tg (AB/TU)chemical treatment by environment: metronidazoleDays 7-13
mitfaw2/w2; mi1004Tg/mi1004Tg; rw0144Tg/rw0144Tg (AB/TU)chemical treatment by environment: metronidazoleDays 7-13
mitfaw2/w2; mi1004Tg/mi1004Tg; rw0144Tg/rw0144Tg (AB/TU)chemical treatment by environment: metronidazoleDays 7-13
mitfaw2/w2; mi1004Tg/mi1004Tg; rw0144Tg/rw0144Tg (AB/TU)chemical treatment by environment: metronidazoleDays 7-13
1 - 10 of 17
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Mutations / Transgenics
Allele Construct Type Affected Genomic Region
mi1004TgTransgenic Insertion
    rw0144TgTransgenic Insertion
      w2
        Point Mutation
        1 - 3 of 3
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        Human Disease / Model
        Sequence Targeting Reagents
        No data available
        Fish
        Antibodies
        Name Type Antigen Genes Isotypes Host Organism
        Ab1-atp1a1monoclonal
          IgG2aMouse
          Ab1-lama1polyclonal
            Rabbit
            Ab2-pcnamonoclonalIgG2aMouse
            Ab4-pax2apolyclonalIgGRabbit
            1 - 4 of 4
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            Orthology
            No data available
            Engineered Foreign Genes
            Marker Marker Type Name
            GAL4EFGGAL4
            mCherryEFGmCherry
            1 - 2 of 2
            Show
            Mapping