Kidney failures in infants are mostly caused by congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), which are among the most common congenital birth disorders worldwide when paired with cardiac abnormalities. People with CAKUT often have severe kidney failure as a result of a wide range of abnormalities that can occur alone or in conjunction with other syndromic disorders. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression pattern of CAKUT candidate genes alpha-8 integrin (ITGA8) and Van Gogh-like 2 (VANGL2) in fetal tissues of healthy and CAKUT-affected kidneys using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. We found that under CAKUT circumstances, the expressions of ITGA8 and VANGL2 are changed. Additionally, we showed that VANGL2 expression is constant during fetal aging, but ITGA8 expression varies. Moreover, compared to normal healthy kidneys (CTRL), ITGA8 is poorly expressed in duplex kidneys (DKs) and dysplastic kidneys (DYS), whereas VANGL2 is substantially expressed in dysplastic kidneys (DYS) and poorly expressed in hypoplastic kidneys (HYP). These results point to VANGL2 and ITGA8 as potential prognostic indicators for CAKUT malformations. Further research is necessary to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying this differential expression of ITGA8 and VANGL2.

Our study examines the immunoexpression patterns of Megalin, Cubilin, Caveolin-1, Gipc1 and Dab2IP in the embryonic development (E) and postnatal (P) mouse kidney, with a focus on differentiating patterns between wild-type (wt) and yotari, Dab1^−/− (yot) mice. Immunofluorescence revealed raised immunoexpression of receptors Megalin and Cubilin at the ampulla/collecting ducts and convoluted tubules across all developmental stages, with the most prominent immunoexpression observed in the convoluted tubules and the parietal epithelium of the Bowman’s capsule. Quantitative analysis showed a higher percentage of Megalin and Cubilin in wt compared to yot mice at E13.5. Co-expression of Megalin and Cubilin was observed at the apical membrane of convoluted tubules and the parietal layer of the Bowman’s capsule. The staining intensity of Megalin varied across developmental stages, with the strongest reactivity observed at the ampulla and collecting ducts at embryonic day (E) 13.5 in wt mice. In contrast, Caveolin-1 exhibited high immunoexpression in the metanephric mesenchyme, blood vessels, and the border area between the metanephric mesenchyme and renal vesicle, with a decrease in immunoexpression as development progressed. Gipc1 showed diffuse cytoplasmic staining in metanephric mesenchyme, convoluted tubules and collecting ducts, with significant differences in immunoexpression between wild-type and yot mice at both investigated embryonic time points. Dab2IP immunofluorescent staining was most prominent in renal vesicle/glomeruli and ampulla/collecting ducts at E13.5, with mild staining intensity observed in the distal convoluted tubules postnatally. Our findings elucidate distinct immunoexpression of patterns and potential parts of these proteins in the development and function of the kidney, highlighting the importance of further investigation into their regulatory mechanisms.