Expression of osteogenic proteins in kidneys of cats with nephrocalcinosis

Abstract Background Nephrocalcinosis is a common pathological finding in cats with chronic kidney disease and nephrolithiasis. Understanding its pathogenesis may identify future therapeutic targets. Hypothesis Nephrocalcinosis is associated with expression of an osteogenic phenotype. Animals Kidneys...

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Main Authors: Nuttha Hengtrakul, Eva Furrow, Michael Borofsky, Ferenc Toth, Jody P. Lulich
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.17278
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author Nuttha Hengtrakul
Eva Furrow
Michael Borofsky
Ferenc Toth
Jody P. Lulich
author_facet Nuttha Hengtrakul
Eva Furrow
Michael Borofsky
Ferenc Toth
Jody P. Lulich
author_sort Nuttha Hengtrakul
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Nephrocalcinosis is a common pathological finding in cats with chronic kidney disease and nephrolithiasis. Understanding its pathogenesis may identify future therapeutic targets. Hypothesis Nephrocalcinosis is associated with expression of an osteogenic phenotype. Animals Kidneys with medullary mineralization were obtained from 18 cats (10 with and 8 without nephroliths) undergoing necropsy. Methods Cross‐sectional study. Microradiography and histopathology (modified von Kossa stain) were used to confirm parenchymal mineralization. Immunohistochemistry for 5 osteogenic markers was performed to determine their co‐localization with nephrocalcinosis. The proportion of kidneys with stronger immunointensity in mineralized versus non‐mineralized regions was analyzed using 1‐tailed sign tests. The proportion of kidneys with co‐localization of nephrocalcinosis and each marker was compared between kidneys with and without nephroliths using Fisher's exact tests. Results Nephrocalcinosis co‐localized with osteopontin immunoreactivity in all 18 cats (100%) and with osteocalcin in 12 cats (67%). Both osteogenic markers had stronger immunointensity in mineralized regions compared with non‐mineralized regions. Limited co‐localization was observed with other markers: bone morphogenic protein‐2 in 2 kidneys (both with nephroliths) and tissue non‐specific alkaline phosphatase in 1 kidney (without nephroliths); runt‐related transcription factor‐2 was undetected. No statistically significant differences were found in the co‐localization of nephrocalcinosis with osteogenic proteins between kidneys with and without nephroliths. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Expression of osteogenic proteins in areas of nephrocalcinosis indicates that nephrocalcinosis is associated with the development of an osteogenic phenotype. Targeting these processes could offer a novel approach to prevent nephrolithiasis at its origin.
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spelling doaj-art-fb3fa9b304fe41fd9993c513820404432025-01-27T15:22:41ZengWileyJournal of Veterinary Internal Medicine0891-66401939-16762025-01-01391n/an/a10.1111/jvim.17278Expression of osteogenic proteins in kidneys of cats with nephrocalcinosisNuttha Hengtrakul0Eva Furrow1Michael Borofsky2Ferenc Toth3Jody P. Lulich4Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine University of Minnesota St Paul Minnesota USADepartment of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine University of Minnesota St Paul Minnesota USADepartment of Urology, Medical School University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USADepartment of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine University of Minnesota St Paul Minnesota USADepartment of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine University of Minnesota St Paul Minnesota USAAbstract Background Nephrocalcinosis is a common pathological finding in cats with chronic kidney disease and nephrolithiasis. Understanding its pathogenesis may identify future therapeutic targets. Hypothesis Nephrocalcinosis is associated with expression of an osteogenic phenotype. Animals Kidneys with medullary mineralization were obtained from 18 cats (10 with and 8 without nephroliths) undergoing necropsy. Methods Cross‐sectional study. Microradiography and histopathology (modified von Kossa stain) were used to confirm parenchymal mineralization. Immunohistochemistry for 5 osteogenic markers was performed to determine their co‐localization with nephrocalcinosis. The proportion of kidneys with stronger immunointensity in mineralized versus non‐mineralized regions was analyzed using 1‐tailed sign tests. The proportion of kidneys with co‐localization of nephrocalcinosis and each marker was compared between kidneys with and without nephroliths using Fisher's exact tests. Results Nephrocalcinosis co‐localized with osteopontin immunoreactivity in all 18 cats (100%) and with osteocalcin in 12 cats (67%). Both osteogenic markers had stronger immunointensity in mineralized regions compared with non‐mineralized regions. Limited co‐localization was observed with other markers: bone morphogenic protein‐2 in 2 kidneys (both with nephroliths) and tissue non‐specific alkaline phosphatase in 1 kidney (without nephroliths); runt‐related transcription factor‐2 was undetected. No statistically significant differences were found in the co‐localization of nephrocalcinosis with osteogenic proteins between kidneys with and without nephroliths. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Expression of osteogenic proteins in areas of nephrocalcinosis indicates that nephrocalcinosis is associated with the development of an osteogenic phenotype. Targeting these processes could offer a novel approach to prevent nephrolithiasis at its origin.https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.17278chronic kidney diseaseimmunohistochemistrymineralizationnephrolithsradiography
spellingShingle Nuttha Hengtrakul
Eva Furrow
Michael Borofsky
Ferenc Toth
Jody P. Lulich
Expression of osteogenic proteins in kidneys of cats with nephrocalcinosis
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
chronic kidney disease
immunohistochemistry
mineralization
nephroliths
radiography
title Expression of osteogenic proteins in kidneys of cats with nephrocalcinosis
title_full Expression of osteogenic proteins in kidneys of cats with nephrocalcinosis
title_fullStr Expression of osteogenic proteins in kidneys of cats with nephrocalcinosis
title_full_unstemmed Expression of osteogenic proteins in kidneys of cats with nephrocalcinosis
title_short Expression of osteogenic proteins in kidneys of cats with nephrocalcinosis
title_sort expression of osteogenic proteins in kidneys of cats with nephrocalcinosis
topic chronic kidney disease
immunohistochemistry
mineralization
nephroliths
radiography
url https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.17278
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AT evafurrow expressionofosteogenicproteinsinkidneysofcatswithnephrocalcinosis
AT michaelborofsky expressionofosteogenicproteinsinkidneysofcatswithnephrocalcinosis
AT ferenctoth expressionofosteogenicproteinsinkidneysofcatswithnephrocalcinosis
AT jodyplulich expressionofosteogenicproteinsinkidneysofcatswithnephrocalcinosis