Gli1⁺ Pericyte Loss Induces Capillary Rarefaction and Proximal Tubular Injury.

ABSTRACT: Peritubular capillary rarefaction is hypothesized to contribute to the increased risk of future CKD after AKI. Here, we directly tested the role of Gli1⁺ kidney pericytes in the maintenance of peritubular capillary health, and the consequences of pericyte loss during injury. Using bigenic Gli1-CreER^t2; R26tdTomato reporter mice, we observed increased distance between Gli1⁺ pericytes and endothelial cells after AKI (mean±SEM: 3.3±0.1 µm before injury versus 12.5±0.2 µm after injury; P<0.001). Using a genetic ablation model, we asked whether pericyte loss alone is sufficient for capillary destabilization. Ten days after pericyte ablation, we observed endothelial cell damage by electron microscopy. Furthermore, pericyte loss led to signifi

SUBMITTER: Kramann R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5328159 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature