Glomerular-specific alterations of VEGF-A expression lead to distinct congenital and acquired renal diseases
J. Clin. Invest. Vera Eremina, et al. 111:707 doi:10.1172/JCI17423 [Go to this article.]

Figure 5
VEGF-null glomeruli do not form filtration barriers or fenestrations within endothelial cells. (a) The wild-type (+/+) glomerulus (arrow) has a lacy appearance due to open capillary loops. The VEGF-null glomeruli (–/–) fail to develop fully and lack visible capillary loops. Magnification: ×350. (b) Immunohistochemical staining for WT1 (green), a marker for podocyte cells, and PECAM (red), a marker for endothelial cells, shows a reduced number of endothelial cells in immature (capillary loop–stage) VEGF-null glomeruli. In mature glomeruli, no endothelial cells remain. Magnification: ×300. (c) Transmission EM of the filtration barrier in a wild-type (+/+) glomerulus clearly demonstrates fenestrated endothelium at the late capillary-loop stage, whereas no fenestrations are observed in endothelial cells (en) found in corresponding late capillary loop–stage VEGF-null glomeruli. In mature VEGF-null glomeruli, the basement membrane is seen (arrow), but the endothelial cells are missing. Magnification: ×20,000.