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Bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation rescues the glomerular filtration barrier and epithelial cellular junctions in a renovascular hypertension model
Author(s) -
Oliveira Mariana,
Lira Rafaelle,
Freire Thiago,
Luna Camila,
Martins Marcela,
Almeida Aline,
Carvalho Simone,
Cortez Erika,
Stumbo Ana Carolina,
Thole Alessandra,
Carvalho Lais
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
experimental physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1469-445X
pISSN - 0958-0670
DOI - 10.1113/ep087330
Subject(s) - transplantation , podocyte , stem cell , kidney , bone marrow , medicine , nephrin , renal stem cell , pathology , endocrinology , biology , progenitor cell , microbiology and biotechnology , proteinuria
New FindingsWhat is the central question of this study? Can a single bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMC) transplant into the subcapsular region of kidney improve cellular communication and adhesion, while restoring renal tissue cytoarchitecture and function during renovascular hypertension?What is the main finding and its importance? The BMMC transplantation restored connexin 40 expression and led to recovery of N‐ and E‐cadherin levels within 15 days. It was observed, for the first time, that BMMC transplantation restores expression of nephrin, a component of the glomerular filtration barrier related to podocytes and the glomerular basal membrane.Abstract Stem cell therapy has emerged as a potential treatment for renal diseases owing to the regenerative potential of stem cells. However, a better understanding of the morphological and functional changes of damaged renal cells in the presence of transplanted stem cells is needed. The aim of this study was to investigate cell–cell communication and adhesion in renal parenchyma, with analysis of fibrosis, to evaluate renal morphology and function after bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMC) transplantation in two‐kidney–one‐clip rats. The BMMC therapy significantly decreased blood pressure and renin expression, improved renal morphology and restored the glomerular filtration barrier, with remodelling of podocytes. In addition, there was a reduction in fibrosis, and connexin 40 and nephrin expression were significantly increased after 7 and 15 days of transplantation. Plasma creatinine, urea and total protein levels were restored, and proteinuria was reduced. Furthermore, N‐ and E‐cadherin expression was increased soon after BMMC therapy. Green fluorescent protein‐positive BMMCs were found in the renal cortex 24 and 48 h after transplantation into the renal subcapsule, and at 7 and 15 days after transplantation, these cells were observed throughout the renal medulla, indicating cellular migration. Therefore, these data suggest that transplanted BMMCs improve cell–cell communication and adhesion between damaged cells, which is accompanied by a recovery of renal morphology and function.