Renin Cells, the Kidney, and Hypertension

2021 ◽  
Vol 128 (7) ◽  
pp. 887-907
Author(s):  
Maria Luisa S. Sequeira-Lopez ◽  
R. Ariel Gomez

Renin cells are essential for survival perfected throughout evolution to ensure normal development and defend the organism against a variety of homeostatic threats. During embryonic and early postnatal life, they are progenitors that participate in the morphogenesis of the renal arterial tree. In adult life, they are capable of regenerating injured glomeruli, control blood pressure, fluid-electrolyte balance, tissue perfusion, and in turn, the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to cells. Throughout life, renin cell descendants retain the plasticity or memory to regain the renin phenotype when homeostasis is threatened. To perform all of these functions and maintain well-being, renin cells must regulate their identity and fate. Here, we review the major mechanisms that control the differentiation and fate of renin cells, the chromatin events that control the memory of the renin phenotype, and the major pathways that determine their plasticity. We also examine how chronic stimulation of renin cells alters their fate leading to the development of a severe and concentric hypertrophy of the intrarenal arteries and arterioles. Lastly, we provide examples of additional changes in renin cell fate that contribute to equally severe kidney disorders.

Author(s):  
Robin H. Lachmann ◽  
Timothy M. Cox

Hereditary fructose intolerance is an autosomal recessive disease which is manifest at weaning but formal diagnosis is often delayed until late childhood or adult life. Fructose, sucrose and sorbitol present in offending foods and drinks induce hypoglycaemia, hypophosphatemia, acidosis, hyperuricemia and hypermagnesemia. If unrecognized, the disease causes failure to thrive, a reno-tubular syndrome with nephrocalcinosis, jaundice, and ultimately liver injury. Parenteral administration of fructose or its congeners can be fatal. Molecular analysis of the aldolase B gene has revolutionized diagnosis. Treatment by a strict dietary exclusion (supplemented by water-soluble vitamins) is successful and, if instituted in a timely manner, is compatible with a normal life span. Early diagnosis and dietary modification are critical for well-being and normal development in affected children.


2021 ◽  
pp. 002367722110018
Author(s):  
Yuri K Sinzato ◽  
Eduardo Klöppel ◽  
Carolina A Miranda ◽  
Verônyca G Paula ◽  
Larissa F Alves ◽  
...  

Animal models are widely used for studying diabetes in translational research. However, methods for induction of diabetes are conflicting with regards to their efficacy, reproducibility and cost. A comparison of outcomes between the diabetic models is still unknown, especially full-term pregnancy.To understand the comparison, we analyzed the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes at three life-different moments during the neonatal period in Sprague–Dawley female rats: at the first (D1), second (D2) and fifth (D5) day of postnatal life. At adulthood (90 days; D90), the animals were submitted to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for diabetic status confirmation. The diabetic and control rats were mated and sacrificed at full-term pregnancy for different analyses. Group D1 presented a higher mortality percentage after STZ administration than groups D2 and D5. All diabetic groups presented higher blood glucose levels as compared to those of the control group, while group D5 had higher levels of glycemia compared with other groups during OGTT. The diabetic groups showed impaired reproductive outcomes compared with the control group. Group D1 had lower percentages of mated rats and D5 showed a lower percentage of a full-term pregnancy. Besides that, these two groups also showed the highest percentages of inadequate fetal weight. In summary, although all groups fulfill the diagnosis criteria for diabetes in adult life, in our investigation diabetes induced on D5 presents lower costs and higher efficacy and reproducibility for studies involving diabetes-complicated pregnancy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiziana Imbriglio ◽  
Remy Verhaeghe ◽  
Nico Antenucci ◽  
Stefania Maccari ◽  
Giuseppe Battaglia ◽  
...  

AbstractmGlu5 metabotropic glutamate receptors are highly expressed and functional in the early postnatal life, and are known to positively modulate NMDA receptor function. Here, we examined the expression of NMDA receptor subunits and interneuron-related genes in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of mGlu5−/− mice and wild-type littermates at three developmental time points (PND9, − 21, and − 75). We were surprised to find that expression of all NMDA receptor subunits was greatly enhanced in mGlu5−/− mice at PND21. In contrast, at PND9, expression of the GluN2B subunit was enhanced, whereas expression of GluN2A and GluN2D subunits was reduced in both regions. These modifications were transient and disappeared in the adult life (PND75). Changes in the transcripts of interneuron-related genes (encoding parvalbumin, somatostatin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, reelin, and the two isoforms of glutamate decarboxylase) were also observed in mGlu5−/− mice across postnatal development. For example, the transcript encoding parvalbumin was up-regulated in the prefrontal cortex of mGlu5−/− mice at PND9 and PND21, whereas it was significantly reduced at PND75. These findings suggest that in mGlu5−/− mice a transient overexpression of NMDA receptor subunits may compensate for the lack of the NMDA receptor partner, mGlu5. Interestingly, in mGlu5−/− mice the behavioral response to the NMDA channel blocker, MK-801, was significantly increased at PND21, and largely reduced at PND75. The impact of adaptive changes in the expression of NMDA receptor subunits should be taken into account when mGlu5−/− mice are used for developmental studies.


1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (4) ◽  
pp. H1385-H1391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Wells ◽  
B. Lowell Langille ◽  
J. Michael Lee ◽  
S. Lee Adamson

We previously reported changes in mechanical properties and collagen cross-linking of the ovine thoracic aorta during perinatal development and postnatal maturation, and we now report changes in biochemical composition (elastin, collagen, and DNA contents per mg wet wt) over the same developmental intervals. A comparison of results from the present and previous studies has yielded novel and important observations concerning the relationship between aortic mechanics and composition during maturation. Developmental changes in aortic incremental elastic modulus at low tensile stress ( E low) closely followed changes in relative elastin content (i.e., per mg wet wt). An 89% increase in E low during the perinatal period was associated with a 69% increase in relative elastin content, whereas neither variable changed during postnatal life. Incremental elastic modulus at high tensile stress ( E high) did not change during the perinatal period but increased 88% during postnatal life. This pattern closely paralleled changes in collagen cross-linking index, which did not change perinatally but almost doubled postnatally. In contrast, relative collagen content (per mg wet wt) increased only slightly from fetal to adult life, a trend that was unrelated to aortic mechanics. Substantial, progressive decreases in measures of wall viscosity (pressure wave attenuation coefficient and viscoelastic phase angle) from fetal to adult life followed the pattern observed for relative DNA (smooth muscle cell) content (per mg wet wt). Our findings suggest that accumulation of elastin per milligram wet weight contributes most to developmental changes in E low, change in collagen cross-linking is the primary determinant of developmental changes in E high, and cell accumulation contributes most to developmental changes in wall viscosity.


Author(s):  
Mousumi Sethy ◽  
Reshmi Mishra

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has left few countries untouched. It is a far-reaching implication on humankind, with children and adolescents, being no exception. Although the prevalence and fatality are negligible among children, a possible impact on their psychological and mental health cannot be disregarded. The unprecedented change in the way of living is bound to be having some psychological consequences on children and adolescents. The experiences gathered in childhood and adolescence are known to contribute to shaping the physical, emotional, and social well-being in adult life. Children are highly susceptible to environmental stressors. The present situation has the potential of adversely affecting the physical and mental well-being of children. To save the children from the long term consequences of this pandemic, a holistic approach integrating biological, psychological, social and spiritual methods of enhancing mental health have become essential. A concerted effort of government, Non Government Organisations (NGOs), parents, teachers, schools, psychologists, counselors and physicians are required to deal with the mental health issues of children and adolescents. This paper discusses the possible role of these agencies in the holistic intervention of this crisis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan González-Hernández ◽  
Clara López-Mora ◽  
Alberto Portolés-Ariño ◽  
Antonio Jesús Muñoz-Villena ◽  
Y. Mendoza-Díaz

Author(s):  
Ryan M. Antiel ◽  
Alan W. Flake

Extreme prematurity is the leading cause of infant death and morbidity. And, despite advances in neonatal medicine and surgery, the rate of prematurity has risen. The urgent need for a better way to support the extremely premature infant led to the development of an extrauterine system to better bridge the transition from fetal to postnatal life. The goal of this “artificial womb” is to maintain prenatal physiology in the extremely premature neonate to support normal development and reduce the complications associated with prematurity. This chapter discusses the development and applications of the artificial womb, as well as the limitations of this technology. It explores three current ethical challenges: ectogenesis, the boundary of viability, and the difference between physiological and clinical success.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (18) ◽  
pp. eaay3689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon T. Brady ◽  
Geoffrey L. Cohen ◽  
Shoshana N. Jarvis ◽  
Gregory M. Walton

Could mitigating persistent worries about belonging in the transition to college improve adult life for black Americans? To examine this question, we conducted a long-term follow-up of a randomized social-belonging intervention delivered in the first year of college. This 1-hour exercise represented social and academic adversity early in college as common and temporary. As previously reported in Science, the exercise improved black students’ grades and well-being in college. The present study assessed the adult outcomes of these same participants. Examining adult life at an average age of 27, black adults who had received the treatment (versus control) exercise 7 to 11 years earlier reported significantly greater career satisfaction and success, psychological well-being, and community involvement and leadership. Gains were statistically mediated by greater college mentorship. The results suggest that addressing persistent social-psychological concerns via psychological intervention can shape the life course, partly by changing people’s social realities.


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