technique-to-target-microinjection-to-the-developing-xenopus-kidney

Technique to Target Microinjection to the Developing <em>Xenopus</em> Kidney

The embryonic kidney of Xenopus&#160;laevis (frog), the pronephros, consists of a single nephron, and can be used as a model for kidney disease. Xenopus ...

University of Texas McGovern Medical School

University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Somites give rise to the vertebral column and segmented musculature of adult vertebrates. The cell movements that position cells within somites along the anteroposterior and dorsoventral axes are not well understood. Using a fate mapping approach, we show that at the onset of Xenopus laevis gastrulation, mesoderm cells undergo distinct cell movements to form myotome fibers positioned in discrete locations within somites and along the anteroposterior axis. We show that the distribution of presomitic cells along the anteroposterior axis is influenced by convergent and extension movements of the notochord. Heterochronic and heterotopic transplantations between presomitic gastrula and early tail bud stages show that these cells are interchangeable and can form myotome fibers in locations determined by the host embryo. However, additional transplantation experiments revealed differences in the competency of presomitic cells to form myotome fibers, suggesting that maturation within the tail bud presomitic mesoderm is required for myotome fiber differentiation.

Temporal and spatial patterning of axial myotome fibers in Xenopus laevis.

While kidney donations stagnate, the number of people in need of kidney transplants continues to grow. Although transplanting culture-grown organs is years away, pursuing the engineering of the kidney de novo is a valid means of closing the gap between the supply and demand of kidneys for transplantation. The structural organization of a mouse kidney is similar to that of humans. Therefore, mice have traditionally served as the primary model system for the study of kidney development. The mouse is an ideal model organism for understanding the complexity of the human kidney. Nonetheless, the elaborate structure of the mammalian kidney makes the discovery of new therapies based on de novo engineered kidneys more challenging. In contrast to mammals, amphibians have a kidney that is anatomically less complex and develops faster. Given that analogous genetic networks regulate the development of mammalian and amphibian nephric organs, using embryonic kidneys of Xenopus laevis (African clawed frog) to analyze inductive cell signaling events and morphogenesis has many advantages. Pioneering work that led to the ability to generate kidney organoids from embryonic cells was carried out in Xenopus. In this review, we discuss how Xenopus can be utilized to compliment the work performed in mammalian systems to understand kidney development.

Vanja Krneta-Stankic

Department of Pediatrics,
Pediatric Research Center,
Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Research Center

University of Texas McGovern Medical School

Technique to Target Microinjection to the Developing Xenopus Kidney

Vanja Krneta-Stankic

Department of Pediatrics,Pediatric Research Center,Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Research Center

University of Texas McGovern Medical School

Technique to Target Microinjection to the Developing Xenopus Kidney

Department of Pediatrics,
Pediatric Research Center,
Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Research Center