Foxc1 and Foxc2 are indispensable for the maintenance of nephron and stromal progenitors in the developing kidney

Nephron development proceeds with reciprocal interactions among three layers: nephron progenitors (NPs), ureteric buds and stromal progenitors (SPs). We found that Foxc1 and Foxc2 (Foxc1/2) are expressed in NPs and SPs. Systemic deletion of Foxc1/2 2 days after the onset of metanephros development (embryonic day 13.5) resulted in the epithelialization of NPs and ectopic formation of renal vesicles. NP-specific deletion did not cause these phenotypes, indicating that Foxc1/2 in other cells (likely in SPs) contributed to the maintenance of NPs. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis revealed the existence of NP and SP subpopulations, the border between committed NPs and renewing NPs, and similarity between the cortical interstitium and vascular smooth muscle type cells. Integrated analysis of the control and Foxc1/2 knockout data indicated transformation of some NPs to strange cells expressing markers of the vascular endothelium, reduced numbers of self-renewing NP and SP populations, and downregulation of crucial genes for kidney development, such as Fgf20 and Frem1 in NPs, and Foxd1 and Sall1 in SPs. It also revealed upregulation of genes that were not usually expressed in NPs and SPs. Thus, Foxc1/2 maintain NPs and SPs by regulating the expression of multiple genes.