Figure 6

Alteration of principal and intercalated cell markers. Whole kidney protein levels, analyzed by western blot, of principal cell marker AQP2 (a) were reduced in kidneys 3 and 9 days post-obstruction when compared with sham-operated kidneys, whereas intercalated cell marker vATPase (b) increased slightly. As vATPase is also expressed in other tubular segments including distal and connecting tubules, vATPase-positive intercalated cells of the collecting ducts were counted manually (c). These analyses demonstrate reduced numbers of intercalated cells following prolonged obstruction, with the largest decreases in the inner and outer medulla. *P<0.05. Error bars=standard deviation. N=3 animals.