Expression of FGF23 and α-KLOTHO in Normal Human Kidney Development and Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT)

Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are a major cause of pediatric renal failure, but the molecular mechanisms driving these conditions are not yet fully understood. Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) and its co-receptor α-KLOTHO play crucial roles in regulating calcium and...

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Main Authors: Patricija Bajt, Anita Racetin, Nela Kelam, Nikola Pavlović, Petar Todorović, Marinela Jelinčić Korčulanin, Natalija Filipović, Ivana Kuzmić Prusac, Fila Raguž, Katarina Vukojević
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Biomolecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/6/811
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author Patricija Bajt
Anita Racetin
Nela Kelam
Nikola Pavlović
Petar Todorović
Marinela Jelinčić Korčulanin
Natalija Filipović
Ivana Kuzmić Prusac
Fila Raguž
Katarina Vukojević
author_facet Patricija Bajt
Anita Racetin
Nela Kelam
Nikola Pavlović
Petar Todorović
Marinela Jelinčić Korčulanin
Natalija Filipović
Ivana Kuzmić Prusac
Fila Raguž
Katarina Vukojević
author_sort Patricija Bajt
collection DOAJ
description Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are a major cause of pediatric renal failure, but the molecular mechanisms driving these conditions are not yet fully understood. Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) and its co-receptor α-KLOTHO play crucial roles in regulating calcium and phosphate homeostasis in adult kidneys, but their roles in kidney development and the pathogenesis of CAKUT remain unclear. Because of that, we analyzed the spatial and temporal expression of FGF23 and α-KLOTHO in normal fetal kidney development and CAKUT using an immunofluorescence technique. Our results demonstrate a dynamic pattern of FGF23 and α-KLOTHO expression in healthy kidney development, with FGF23 levels decreasing and α-KLOTHO levels increasing with gestational age. Also, we showed that FGF23 expression was significantly reduced in horseshoe (HKs) and duplex kidneys (DKs), while α-KLOTHO expression remained unchanged across all CAKUT conditions. Based on our results, we suggest that altered FGF23 expression in CAKUT contributes to disease pathogenesis and may represent a potential therapeutic target.
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spelling doaj-art-596b2cd87d3f44d08ddef169d59ad0f52025-08-20T03:27:29ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-06-0115681110.3390/biom15060811Expression of FGF23 and α-KLOTHO in Normal Human Kidney Development and Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT)Patricija Bajt0Anita Racetin1Nela Kelam2Nikola Pavlović3Petar Todorović4Marinela Jelinčić Korčulanin5Natalija Filipović6Ivana Kuzmić Prusac7Fila Raguž8Katarina Vukojević9Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, CroatiaDepartment of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, CroatiaDepartment of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, CroatiaDepartment of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, CroatiaDepartment of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, CroatiaDepartment of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, CroatiaDepartment of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, CroatiaDepartment of Pathology, University Hospital Split, Spinciceva 1, 21000 Split, CroatiaDepartment of Nephrology, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and HerzegovinaDepartment of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21000 Split, CroatiaCongenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are a major cause of pediatric renal failure, but the molecular mechanisms driving these conditions are not yet fully understood. Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) and its co-receptor α-KLOTHO play crucial roles in regulating calcium and phosphate homeostasis in adult kidneys, but their roles in kidney development and the pathogenesis of CAKUT remain unclear. Because of that, we analyzed the spatial and temporal expression of FGF23 and α-KLOTHO in normal fetal kidney development and CAKUT using an immunofluorescence technique. Our results demonstrate a dynamic pattern of FGF23 and α-KLOTHO expression in healthy kidney development, with FGF23 levels decreasing and α-KLOTHO levels increasing with gestational age. Also, we showed that FGF23 expression was significantly reduced in horseshoe (HKs) and duplex kidneys (DKs), while α-KLOTHO expression remained unchanged across all CAKUT conditions. Based on our results, we suggest that altered FGF23 expression in CAKUT contributes to disease pathogenesis and may represent a potential therapeutic target.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/6/811FGF23α-KLOTHOCAKUTcongenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract
spellingShingle Patricija Bajt
Anita Racetin
Nela Kelam
Nikola Pavlović
Petar Todorović
Marinela Jelinčić Korčulanin
Natalija Filipović
Ivana Kuzmić Prusac
Fila Raguž
Katarina Vukojević
Expression of FGF23 and α-KLOTHO in Normal Human Kidney Development and Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT)
Biomolecules
FGF23
α-KLOTHO
CAKUT
congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract
title Expression of FGF23 and α-KLOTHO in Normal Human Kidney Development and Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT)
title_full Expression of FGF23 and α-KLOTHO in Normal Human Kidney Development and Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT)
title_fullStr Expression of FGF23 and α-KLOTHO in Normal Human Kidney Development and Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT)
title_full_unstemmed Expression of FGF23 and α-KLOTHO in Normal Human Kidney Development and Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT)
title_short Expression of FGF23 and α-KLOTHO in Normal Human Kidney Development and Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT)
title_sort expression of fgf23 and α klotho in normal human kidney development and congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract cakut
topic FGF23
α-KLOTHO
CAKUT
congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract
url https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/6/811
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