Figure 2: Loss of nephron components in Dullard mutant mice.
(a) Haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining of control and mutant kidneys at different time points after birth. All images were taken at the same magnification. Scale bar, 100 μm. The Six2Cre; Dullardflox/flox mutant kidneys become smaller than the control kidneys over time. Note that a cavity appears at P14 and expands thereafter. (b) The cells lining the cavity (arrowheads), as well as the pelvic epithelia (arrow), are positive for cytokeratin. Immunostaining for Tamm–Horsfall protein (THP) (thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle), WT1 (glomerular podocytes) and LTL (proximal tubules) and in situ hybridization of Slc12a3 (distal tubules) show a reduction in mesenchyme-derived nephron lineages in the mutant kidneys at P14. Scale bar, 100 μm. (c) The numbers of glomeruli are significantly reduced in the mutant kidneys at P7 and P14 (n=4 in each group). Mean±s.d., *P<0.05. **P<0.001. (d) The numbers of LTL-positive proximal tubules at P21 were counted. Relative numbers was calculated by setting the numbers in Dullardflox/flox mice at 100% (n=4 in each group). Mean±s.d., **P<0.001. (e) HE and DBA staining shows that the collecting ducts are not impaired in the mutant kidneys. Scale bars, 50 μm.
