Adult renal mesenchymal stem cell-like cells contribute to juxtaglomerular cell recruitment

Abstract

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) regulates BP and salt-volume homeostasis. Juxtaglomerular (JG) cells synthesize and release renin, which is the first and rate-limiting step in the RAAS. Intense pathologic stresses cause a dramatic increase in the number of renin-producing cells in the kidney, termed JG cell recruitment, but how this occurs is not fully understood. Here, we isolated renal CD44+ mesenchymal stemcell (MSC)-like cells and found that they differentiated into JG-like renin-expressing cells both in vitro and in vivo. Sodium depletion and captopril led to activation and differentiation of these cells into renin-expressing cells in the adult kidney. In summary, CD44+ MSC-like cells exist in the adult kidney and can differentiate into JG-like renin-producing cells under conditions that promote JG cell recruitment. Copyright © 2013 by the American Society of Nephrology.