Abstract

Background. The immunophenotypes and potential excretory function of human mesonephros are not well studied. Methods. Five mesonephros specimens of human embryos from the 6^th to 10^th weeks of gestation were stained with immunohistochemical markers. Results. PAX8 was universally expressed in all renal tubules, while α-methyacyl-CoA racemase (AMACAR) was positive in proximal tubules and GATA3 was positive in distal tubular mesonephric structures. At the 8th weeks of gestation, the mesonephric glomeruli were characterized by opened glomerular capillary loops with Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS)-positive glomerular basement membranes and GATA3-positive mesangial-like cells. By the 8^th week, proximal tubules showed PAS-positive brush borders, indicating reabsorption capacity, and the proximal tubules also demonstrated positivity with kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), representing tubular response to injury. Conclusion. Our overall findings show detailed phenotypes of the glomerular and tubular structures of the mesonephros and indicate that at the 8^th week of gestation, the mesonephros may carry out temporary excretory function before metanephros becomes fully functional.

摘要

背景。人类中肾的免疫表型和潜在的排泄功能尚未得到充分研究。方法。^{用免疫组织化学标记物对妊娠第6}至 10^周的人类胚胎的五个中肾标本进行染色。结果。PAX8 在所有肾小管中普遍表达，而 α-甲基酰辅酶 A 消旋酶 (AMACAR) 在近端肾小管中呈阳性，而 GATA3 在远端肾小管中肾结构中呈阳性。在妊娠第 8 周，中肾小球的特征是打开的肾小球毛细血管环，具有高碘酸席夫 (PAS) 阳性肾小球基底膜和 GATA3 阳性系膜样细胞。到8^号周，近端小管显示 PAS 阳性刷状缘，表明重吸收能力，近端小管也显示肾损伤分子 1 (KIM-1) 阳性，代表肾小管对损伤的反应。结论。我们的总体研究结果显示了中肾肾小球和管状结构的详细表型，并表明在妊娠第 8^周，中肾可能在后肾功能完全发挥之前执行暂时的排泄功能。