Differentiation of Sca-1+ cells from murine fetal liver into renal cells in mice with acute renal failure

AIM: To study the effect of acute renal failure (ARF) on the differentiated frequency of Sca-1+ cells from murine fetal liver in irradiated mice. METHODS: The Sca-1+ cells from murine fetal liver were isolated with magnetic cell sorting (MACS) technique, the sex of which was identified by PCR. The 2×104 Sca-1+ cells were transplanted into a lethally irradiated (［60Co］, 8 Gy) inbred female mouse. After 8 weeks, these recipient mice were divided to A, B, and C groups at random (A group: irradiated; B group: ARF; C group: ARF and Sca-1+). The mice in B and C groups were induced to ARF with 50% (V/V) glycerin (11.6 mL/kg). 72 hours later, the mice in C group were injected with the fresh prepared Sca-1+ cells again. 8 weeks later, mice were sacrificed, and their kidneys were taken out, fixed and slices were prepared. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of renal slices was performed and the pictures of them were taken and analyzed. RESULTS: The cells containing Y chromosome were found in renal slices from the mice in A, B and C groups, which located in epithelial cells of renal tubules, interstitium, glomeruli, and glomerular margin and increased gradually. The double and encircle zone of Y chromosome cells were found in the slices from the mice in B and C groups separately, which was consist of new renal tubules. The differentiation frequency of Sca-1+ cells in kidney in A, B and C groups were (1.65±0.18)%， (8.58±1.34)% and (18.13±1.91)%， respectively, which showed significant difference between former group and later group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The differentiation of Sca-1+ cells from murine fetal liver into renal cells and tissue is promoted by physiological microenvironment of acute damage and regeneration.