Angiotensin II stimulates in vitro branching morphogenesis of the isolated ureteric bud

Mutations in the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) genes are associated with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). As angiotensin (Ang) II, the principal effector peptide growth factor of the RAS, stimulates ureteric bud (UB) branching in whole intact embryonic (E) metanephroi, defects in UB morphogenesis may be causally linked to CAKUT observed under conditions of disrupted RAS. In the present study, using the isolated intact UB (iUB) assay, we tested the hypothesis that Ang II stimulates UB morphogenesis by directly acting on the UB, identified Ang II target genes in the iUB by microarray and examined the effect of Ang II on UB cell migration in vitro. We show that isolated E11.5 mouse iUBs express Ang II AT1 and AT2 receptor mRNA. Treatment of E11.5 iUBs grown in collagen matrix gels with Ang II (10−5 M) increases the number of iUB tips after 48 h of culture compared to control (4.8 ± 0.4 vs. 2.4 ± 0.2, p < 0.01). A number of genes required for UB branching as well as novel genes whose role in UB development is currently unknown are targets of Ang II signaling in the iUB. In addition, Ang II increases UB cell migration (346 ± 5.1 vs. 275 ± 4.4, p < 0.01) in vitro. In summary, Ang II stimulates UB cell migration and directly induces morphogenetic response in the iUB. We conclude that Ang II-regulated genes in the iUB may be important mediators of Ang II-induced UB branching. We hypothesize that Ang II-dependent cell movements play an important role in UB branching morphogenesis.

► Angiotensin (Ang) II stimulates in vitro branching of the isolated intact ureteric bud (iUB).
► Ang II induces directional migration of UB cells in vitro.
► Ang II regulates expression of genes in the iUB independent of the mesenchyme.
► Ang II-dependent UB cell movements play an important role in UB branching.