BMP-4 affects the differentiation of metanephric mesenchyme and reveals an early anterior-posterior axis of the embryonic kidney
✍ Scribed by Anne Raatikainen-Ahokas; Marjo Hytönen; Auri Tenhunen; Kirsi Sainio; Hannu Sariola
- Book ID
- 102651826
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 2000
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 727 KB
- Volume
- 217
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 1058-8388
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✦ Synopsis
Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4), a member of the transforming growth factor- (TGF-) family, regulates several developmental processes during animal development. We have now studied the effects of BMP-4 in the metanephric kidney differentiation by using organ culture technique. Human recombinant BMP-4 diminishes the number of ureteric branches and changes the branching pattern. Our data suggest that BMP-4 affects the ureteric branching indirectly via interfering with the differentiation of the nephrogenic mesenchyme. The clear positional preference of the defects to posterior mesenchyme might reflect an early anterior-posterior patterning of the metanephric mesenchyme. The smooth muscle ␣-actin expressing cell population around the ureteric stalk, highly expressing Bmp-4 mRNA, is also expanded in kidneys treated with BMP-4. Thus, BMP-4 may be a physiological regulator of the development of the periureteric smooth muscle layer and ureteric elongation.