Vascular endothelial growth factor A signaling in the podocyte-endothelial compartment is required for mesangial cell migration and survival

The glomerular filtration barrier separates the blood from the urinary space and consists of two major cell types: podocytes and fenestrated endothelial cells. Mesangial cells sit between the capillary loops and provide structural support. Proliferation and loss of mesangial cells both are central findings in a number of renal diseases, including diabetic nephropathy and mesangiolysis, respectively. Using cell-specific gene targeting, it was shown previously that vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) production by podocytes is required for glomerular endothelial cell migration, differentiation, and survival. For further investigation of the effect of gene dose and VEGF-A knockdown within the glomerulus, mice that carry one hypomorphic VEGF-A allele and one podocyte-specific null VEGF-A allele (VEGF(hypo/loxP), Neph-Cre(+/-)) were generated; in these mice, the allelic dose of VEGF-A is intermediate between glomerular-specific heterozygous and null states. VEGF(hypo/loxP), Neph-Cre(+/-) mice die at 3 wk of age from renal failure. Although endothelial cell defects are observed, striking loss of mesangial cells occurs postnatally. In addition, differentiated mesangial cells cannot be found in glomeruli of podocyte-specific null VEGF-A mice (VEGF(loxP/loxP), Cre(+/-)). Together, these results demonstrate a key role for VEGF-A production in the podocyte for mesangial cell survival and differentiation.