Tubulovascular cross-talk by vascular endothelial growth factor a maintains peritubular microvasculature in kidney

Henrik Dimke, Matthew A. Sparks, Benjamin R. Thomson, Sebastian Frische, Thomas M. Coffman, Susan E. Quaggin*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

136 Scopus citations

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) production by podocytes is critical for glomerular endothelial health. VEGFA is also expressed in tubular epithelial cells in kidney; however, its physiologic role in the tubule has not been established. Using targeted transgenic mouse models, we found that Vegfa is expressed by specific epithelial cells along the nephron, whereas expression of its receptor (Kdr/Vegfr2) is largely restricted to adjacent peritubular capillaries. Embryonic deletion of tubular Vegfa did not affect systemic Vegfa levels, whereas renal Vegfa abundance was markedly decreased. Excision of Vegfa from renal tubules resulted in the formation of a smaller kidney, with a striking reduction in the density of peritubular capillaries. Consequently, elimination of tubular Vegfa caused pronounced polycythemia because of increased renal erythropoietin (Epo) production. Reducing hematocrit to normal levels in tubular Vegfa-deficient mice resulted in a markedly augmented renal Epo production, comparable with that observed in anemic wild-type mice. Here, we show that tubulovascular cross-talk by Vegfa is essential for maintenance of peritubular capillary networks in kidney. Disruption of this communication leads to increased renal Epo production and resulting polycythemia, presumably to counterbalance microvascular losses.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1027-1038
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology
Volume26
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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