Kidney Development and Function

P.I.:  Marc R. Hammerman M.D.

Lab:  George M. O'Brien Renal Developmental Core

Location:

Renal Division Box 8126
Washington University School of Medicine
660 South Euclid Ave.
St. Louis MO 63110

Description:  Our laboratory has extensive experience in measuring renal function in rodents, characterizing abnormal renal phenotypes in developed rodents, in performing metanephric organ culture, and transplantation of developing metanephroi.

Example:  Characterization of the developmental abnormality in the bcl-2 null mouse (REFS 2,3).

Screening Protocol:  We are interested in defining the pathophysiology of abnormal kidney development. Initially we characterize renal pathology and determine whether renal function is affected in rodents with abnormal kidney phenotypes. Using embryos with defined genotypes, we can perform metanephric organ culture to ascertain whether abnormal development in vivo is recapitulated in vitro.

Contact:  If interested, please email Marc R Hammerman M.D. with a brief description of the project.

Selected References:

1. Rogers et al: Insulin-like growth factors I and II are produced in the metanephros and are required for growth and development in vitro. J. Cell Biol. 113:1447-1454, 1991.

2. Sorenson et al: Fulminant metanephric apoptosis and abnormal kidney development in the bcl-2 deficient mouse. Am. J. Physiol. 268: F73-F81, 1995.

3. Sorenson et al: Abnormal postpartum renal development and cystogenesis in the bcl-2-/- mouse. Am. J. Physiol. 271: F184-F193, 1996.

4. Rogers et al: Metanephric osteopontin regulates nephrogenesis in vitro. Am. J. Physiol. 272: F469-F476, 1997.

5. Rogers et al: Transplantation of developing metanephroi into adult rats. Kidney International 54: 27-37, 1998.

6. Hammerman: Transplantation of renal precursor cells: a new therapeutic approach. Pediatric Nephrology 14:513-517, 2000.