biostudies-literatureEymael JDutch Research Council (NWO)765887https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8964404biostudies-literatureUnknown10It is well established that mammalian kidney epithelial cells contain a single non-motile primary cilium (9 + 0 pattern). However, we noted the presence of multiple motile cilia with a central microtubular pair (9 + 2 pattern) in kidney biopsies of 11 patients with various kidney diseases, using transmission electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence staining revealed the expression of the motile cilia-specific markers Radial Spoke Head Protein 4 homolog A, Forkhead-box-protein J1 and Regulatory factor X3. Multiciliated cells were exclusively observed in proximal tubuli and a relative frequent observation in human kidney tissue: in 16.7% of biopsies with tubular injury and atrophy (3 of 18 tissues), in 17.6% of biopsies from patients with membranous nephropathy (3 of 17 tissues) and in 10% ofFrontiers in cell and developmental biologyMotile Cilia on Kidney Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells Are Associated With Tubular Injury and Interstitial Fibrosis.PMC8964404091.501.618016.156.363Eymael JWetzels JFSteenbergen EVan der Vlag JJansen JMooren FWillemsen BSmeets BDijkman HXu JfalseMotile Cilia on Kidney Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells Are Associated With Tubular Injury and Interstitial Fibrosis.It is well established that mammalian kidney epithelial cells contain a single non-motile primary cilium (9 + 0 pattern). However, we noted the presence of multiple motile cilia with a central microtubular pair (9 + 2 pattern) in kidney biopsies of 11 patients with various kidney diseases, using transmission electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence staining revealed the expression of the motile cilia-specific markers Radial Spoke Head Protein 4 homolog A, Forkhead-box-protein J1 and Regulatory factor X3. Multiciliated cells were exclusively observed in proximal tubuli and a relative frequent observation in human kidney tissue: in 16.7% of biopsies with tubular injury and atrophy (3 of 18 tissues), in 17.6% of biopsies from patients with membranous nephropathy (3 of 17 tissues) and in 10% of2022-01-01T00:00:00Z20222025-05-18T12:07:35.109Z2025-05-18T12:07:35.109ZS-EPMC89644043537233610.3389/fcell.2022.765887