Expression of E-cadherin in pig kidney.
10.4142/jvs.2013.14.4.381
- Author:
Su Youn LEE
1
;
Sun M HAN
;
Ji Eun KIM
;
Ku Yong CHUNG
;
Ki Hwan HAN
Author Information
1. Department of Anatomy, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul 158-710, Korea. khhan@ewha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
E-cadherin;
kidney;
pig
- MeSH:
Animals;
Blotting, Western/veterinary;
Cadherins/*genetics/metabolism;
Cell Membrane/*metabolism/ultrastructure;
*Gene Expression Regulation;
Kidney/*metabolism;
Male;
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/veterinary;
Sus scrofa/*genetics/metabolism
- From:Journal of Veterinary Science
2013;14(4):381-386
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
E-cadherin is a cell adhesion molecule that plays an important role in maintaining renal epithelial polarity and integrity. The purpose of this study was to determine the exact cellular localization of E-cadherin in pig kidney. Kidney tissues from pigs were processed for light and electron microscopy immunocytochemistry, and immunoblot analysis. E-cadhedrin bands of the same size were detected by immunoblot of samples from rat and pig kidneys. In pig kidney, strong E-cadherin expression was observed in the basolateral plasma membrane of the tubular epithelial cells. E-cadherin immunolabeling was not detected in glomeruli or blood vessels of pig kidney. Double-labeling results demonstrated that E-cadherin was expressed in the calbindin D28k-positive distal convoluted tubule and H(+)-ATPase-positive collecting duct, but not in the aquaporin 1-positive, N-cadherin-positive proximal tubule. In contrast to rat, E-cadherin immunoreactivity was not expressed at detectable levels in the Tamm-Horsfall protein-positive thick ascending limb of pig kidney. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed that E-cadherin was localized in both the lateral membranes and basal infoldings of the collecting duct. These results suggest that E-cadherin may be a critical adhesion molecule in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct cells of pig kidney.
