[HTML][HTML] Renin cells are precursors for multiple cell types that switch to the renin phenotype when homeostasis is threatened

MLSS López, ES Pentz, T Nomasa, O Smithies… - Developmental cell, 2004 - cell.com
MLSS López, ES Pentz, T Nomasa, O Smithies, RA Gomez
Developmental cell, 2004cell.com
Renin-synthesizing cells are crucial in the regulation of blood pressure and fluid-electrolyte
homeostasis. Adult mammals subjected to manipulations that threaten homeostasis
increase circulating renin by increasing the number of renin-expressing/-releasing cells. We
hypothesize that the ability of adult cells to synthesize renin does not occur randomly in any
cell type, depending instead on the cell's lineage. To determine the fate of renin-expressing
cells, we generated knockin mice expressing cre recombinase in renin-expressing cells and …
Abstract
Renin-synthesizing cells are crucial in the regulation of blood pressure and fluid-electrolyte homeostasis. Adult mammals subjected to manipulations that threaten homeostasis increase circulating renin by increasing the number of renin-expressing/-releasing cells. We hypothesize that the ability of adult cells to synthesize renin does not occur randomly in any cell type, depending instead on the cell's lineage. To determine the fate of renin-expressing cells, we generated knockin mice expressing cre recombinase in renin-expressing cells and crossed them with reporter mice. Results show that renin-expressing cells are precursors for a variety of cells that differentiate into non-renin-expressing cells such as smooth-muscle, epithelial, mesangial, and extrarenal cells. In the kidney, these cells retain the capability to synthesize renin when additional hormone is required to reestablish homeostasis: specific subpopulations of apparently differentiated cells are "held in reserve" to respond (repeatedly) by de-differentiating and expressing renin in response to stress, and re-differentiating when the crisis passes.
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