Project description:The kidney is a major organ in which fluid balance and waste excretion is regulated. To obtain mature functions of the kidney, normal renal developmental processes need to be preceded. Comprehensive genetic programs underlying renal development during prenatal life have been widely studied. However, postnatal renal development, from infancy to juvenile period, have not been studied yet. Here, we investigated if structural and functional kidney development was still undergoing in early life by analyzing renal transcriptional networks of infant (4 weeks old) and juvenile (7 weeks old) mice. We further examined the effects of dehydration on kidney development. Kidneys at 4 weeks and 7 weeks old showed significantly distinctive functional network of genes. Gene sets related to cell cycle regulators and immature glomerular barrier integrity (COL4A1, COL4A2) were enriched in infantile kidneys while genes associated with ion transport and drug metabolism (CYP450 family) were shown in juvenile kidneys. Dehydration during infancy suppressed renal growth by interrupting SHH signaling pathway which targets cell cycle regulators. Importantly, disruption of developmental program ultimately led to long-term alterations in renal filtration function, by causing a decline in glomerular filtration barrier integrity. Taken together, we provide meaningful perspectives of renal development in infancy which suggests molecular and physiological background why infants are more vulnerable to dehydration than adults. These results provide new insights into the systemic effects of dehydration on renal development and may propose possible markers for clinical application in pediatric dehydration.
Project description:The kidney is a major organ in which fluid balance and waste excretion is regulated. To obtain mature functions of the kidney, normal renal developmental processes need to be preceded. Comprehensive genetic programs underlying renal development during prenatal life have been widely studied. However, postnatal renal development, from infancy to juvenile period, have not been studied yet. Here, we investigated if structural and functional kidney development was still undergoing in early life by analyzing renal transcriptional networks of infant (4 weeks old) and juvenile (7 weeks old) mice. We further examined the effects of dehydration on kidney development. Kidneys at 4 weeks and 7 weeks old showed significantly distinctive functional network of genes. Gene sets related to cell cycle regulators and immature glomerular barrier integrity (COL4A1, COL4A2) were enriched in infantile kidneys while genes associated with ion transport and drug metabolism (CYP450 family) were shown in juvenile kidneys. Dehydration during infancy suppressed renal growth by interrupting SHH signaling pathway which targets cell cycle regulators. Importantly, disruption of developmental program ultimately led to long-term alterations in renal filtration function, by causing a decline in glomerular filtration barrier integrity. Taken together, we provide meaningful perspectives of renal development in infancy which suggests molecular and physiological background why infants are more vulnerable to dehydration than adults. These results provide new insights into the systemic effects of dehydration on renal development and may propose possible markers for clinical application in pediatric dehydration. Total RNA obtained from isolated kidneys subjected to water restriction for 1 week (RES 1W, 4-week-old) and 4 weeks (RES 4W, 7-week-old), and each group was compared to control group; CON 1W (4-week-old), CON 4W (7-week-old) respectively.
Project description:We collected whole genome testis expression data from hybrid zone mice. We integrated GWAS mapping of testis expression traits and low testis weight to gain insight into the genetic basis of hybrid male sterility.
Project description:PURPOSE: To provide a detailed gene expression profile of the normal postnatal mouse cornea. METHODS: Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) was performed on postnatal day (PN)9 and adult mouse (6 week) total corneas. The expression of selected genes was analyzed by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: A total of 64,272 PN9 and 62,206 adult tags were sequenced. Mouse corneal transcriptomes are composed of at least 19,544 and 18,509 unique mRNAs, respectively. One third of the unique tags were expressed at both stages, whereas a third was identified exclusively in PN9 or adult corneas. Three hundred thirty-four PN9 and 339 adult tags were enriched more than fivefold over other published nonocular libraries. Abundant transcripts were associated with metabolic functions, redox activities, and barrier integrity. Three members of the Ly-6/uPAR family whose functions are unknown in the cornea constitute more than 1% of the total mRNA. Aquaporin 5, epithelial membrane protein and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) omega-1, and GST alpha-4 mRNAs were preferentially expressed in distinct corneal epithelial layers, providing new markers for stratification. More than 200 tags were differentially expressed, of which 25 mediate transcription. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to providing a detailed profile of expressed genes in the PN9 and mature mouse cornea, the present SAGE data demonstrate dynamic changes in gene expression after eye opening and provide new probes for exploring corneal epithelial cell stratification, development, and function and for exploring the intricate relationship between programmed and environmentally induced gene expression in the cornea. Keywords: other
Project description:The aim of this study was to assess whether chronic treatment with RPV can modulate the progression of chronic liver disease, especially of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), through a nutritional model in wild-type mice Mice were daily treated with RPV (p.o.) and fed with normal or high fat diet during 3 months to induce fatty liver disease