LGR4 is required for the cell survival of the peripheral mesenchyme at the embryonic stages of nephrogenesis

Abstract

In mice, homozygous Lgr4 inactivation results in hypoplastic kidneys. To understand better the role of LGR4 in kidney development, we performed an analysis of kidneys in Lgr4-/- embryos. We stained Lgr4-/- kidneys with anti-WT1 and anti-Cleaved Caspase3 antibodies at E16.5, and observed that the structures of the cap mesenchyme were disrupted and that apoptosis increased. In addition, the expression of PAX2, an anti-apoptotic factor in kidney development, was also significantly decreased at E16.5. We found that the LGR4 defect caused an increase in apoptosis in the peripheral mesenchyme during kidney development.