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. 2012 Oct 26;56(4):e40.
doi: 10.4081/ejh.2012.e40.

MUC1 marks collecting tubules, renal vesicles, comma- and S-shaped bodies in human developing kidney tubules, renal vesicles, comma- and s-shaped bodies in human kidney

D Fanni  1 , N Iacovidou, A Locci, C Gerosa, S Nemolato, P Van Eyken, G Monga, S Mellou, G Faa, V Fanos
Affiliations

MUC1 marks collecting tubules, renal vesicles, comma- and S-shaped bodies in human developing kidney tubules, renal vesicles, comma- and s-shaped bodies in human kidney

D Fanni et al. Eur J Histochem. .

Abstract

MUC1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein, apically expressed in most epithelial cells, used in the differential diagnosis of carcinomas and for discrimination of tumors of non-epithelial origin showing epithelioid features. Little attention has been paid so far though, on its possible significance in embryonic tissues. A preliminary study from our group revealed MUC1 expression in the cap mesenchymal cells during human nephrogenesis, suggesting a role for MUC1 in the process of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition. This study aimed at investigating the expression pattern of MUC1 in various developing structures of human fetal kidney. Expression of MUC1 was examined in kidneys of 5 human fetuses. MUC1 immunoreactivity was detected in ureteric bud tips, in collecting tubules, in cap mesenchymal cells undergoing the initial phases of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, in renal vesicles, comma-bodies, and S-shaped bodies. Our previous preliminary report suggested a role for MUC1 in the initial phases of the process of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition. The present data suggest that MUC1 expression characterizes multiple structures during human nephrogenesis, from the ureteric bud, to the initial phases of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition and that MUC1 should be added to the genes activated during the process of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition in the cap mesenchyme of human kidney.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interests: the authors declare no conflict of interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
MUC1 immunoreactivity in the lumen and at the apical border of the epithelial cells in ureteric bud. A) 40hpf, scale bar: 50 µm; B) 100hpf, scale bar: 20 µm.
Figure 2
Figure 2
In renal vesicles MUC1 expression is located inside the vesicle lumen and in the cytoplasm of newly formed epithelial cells. A) 40hpf, scale bar: 50 µm; B) 100hpf, scale bar: 20 µm.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A) Comma-shaped body reactivity; 40hpf, scale bar: 50 µm. B). S-Shaped bodies; 40hpf, scale bar: 50 µm.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Absence of MUC1 immunoreactivity in glomeruli; 40hpf, scale bar: 50 µm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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