Ontogenesis of the glomerular C3b receptor (CR1) in fetal human kidney

Abstract

Ontogenesis of the glomerular C3b receptor (CR1) was studied in kidneys from 16 fetuses aged from 9 to 32 weeks, using immunohistochemical techniques and the F(ab′) 2 fragment of a monospecific rabbit antibody to CR1, and adherence of C3b-coated sheep erythrocytes. By indirect immunofluoresence, anti-CR1 stained presumptive glomerular epithelium from the end of the S-body stage of nephron differentiation. Staining increased with visceral epithelial cell proliferation and with differentiation of the nephron from the subcortical to the juxtamedullary part of the fetal kidney. Using electron microscopy and an indirect immunoperoxidase technique, CR1 antigen was detected on the plasma membrane in the basolateral part of primitive podocytes from the late S-body stage, following the acquisition by podocytes of the capacity to synthetize a basal lamina. Endothelial cells and mesangial cells did not stain for CR1 antigen. CR1 antigen was expressed by podocytes from the same stage of glomerular differentiation as was the CALLA antigen. Glomerular expression of CR1 on podocytes preceded that of Ia on glomerular endothelial cells. C3b-bearing sheep erythrocytes only adhered to clover-like lobulated glomeruli at a late stage of glomerular differentiation. Glomerular CR1, a specific marker of glomerular capillary epithelial cells is one of the earliest markers expressed by resident glomerular cells during renal ontogenesis.