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Abstract: FR-PO730

Effects of Sex and Kidney Mass on Podocyte Density in Rats

Session Information

Category: Glomerular Diseases

  • 1401 Glomerular Diseases: Mechanisms, including Podocyte Biology

Authors

  • Means, Patrick Sm, East Tennessee State University James H Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, Tennessee, United States
  • Griffin, Blakeley D., East Tennessee State University James H Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, Tennessee, United States
  • Camp, Suzanna, East Tennessee State University James H Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, Tennessee, United States
  • Chivers, Jacqueline M., East Tennessee State University James H Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, Tennessee, United States
  • Story, Christian Cole, East Tennessee State University James H Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, Tennessee, United States
  • Chopde, Purva R., Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Williamson, Geoffrey A., Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Griffin, Karen A., Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Polichnowski, Aaron J., East Tennessee State University James H Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, Tennessee, United States
Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progresses faster in males; however, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. We investigated sex differences in podocyte density in rats with intact kidneys and uninephrectomy (UNX) to understand its potential role in the sex disparity in CKD progression.

Methods

Sprague-Dawley rats (10-13-week-old) underwent UNX (n=8/sex) or sham UNX (n=8/sex). Six weeks later, kidneys were perfusion-fixed and podocytes were detected using Wilms’ Tumor 1 1° Ab, Cy-3 2° Ab, and DAPI. Podocyte density was assessed in 20 glomeruli/left kidney/rat in a blinded fashion according to Venkatareddy et al. (PMID 24357669). Data were compared using a 2-way ANOVA with Sidak post hoc analysis and linear regression. Data are mean±SE, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

As shown in Table 1, body weight, kidney weight, and glomerular tuft volume were greater (P<0.05) in male vs. female rats within both intact and UNX groups. Within both sexes, kidney weight and glomerular tuft volume, but not body weight, were greater (P<0.05) in UNX vs. intact groups. No significant differences in the total number of podocytes per glomerular tuft were observed between sexes or between intact and UNX groups. On average, podocyte density was ~10% lower in males vs. females and ~17% lower in UNX vs. intact groups. As shown in Figure 1, a robust correlation (P<0.05) was observed between podocyte density and glomerular tuft volume, but not the total number of podocytes per glomerular tuft.

Conclusion

Sex differences in podocyte density are largely dependent on sex differences in kidney size and glomerular tuft volume, which may contribute to the sex disparity in the rate of CKD progression.

Funding

  • Other NIH Support