The expression of Wilms tumor 1 (WT-1) and synaptopodin was evaluated to identify differentiated podocytes, and the expression of nephrin, podocin, and CD2ap was measured as markers of slit diaphragms, the main structures within the glomerular filtration barrier.
Using an immunohistochemical technique, we examined the natural course of nephrin, Wilms' tumor-1 (WT1) and synaptopodin at 16.5 days of embryonic age (E16.5d) and E19.5d, 7 days of post-neonatal age (P7d) and P42d during renal development of mice.
Simultaneously, HG decreased the mRNA and protein expression of Wilm's tumor-1 and synaptopodin, and increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of desmin in podocytes, in a dose-dependent manner.
WT1(R458Q) overexpression significantly downregulated nephrin and synaptopodin expression, promoted apoptosis in HEK293 cells and impaired focal contact formation in podocytes.