Temporal control of eating and body weight by GHSR-expressing suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons.

Food consumption impacts body weight differently depending on the time of day. Here, we investigated whether suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) neurons responsive to the hormone ghrelin temporally regulate eating and body weight in mice. The chemogenetic stimulation of GHSR (growth hormone secretagogue receptor)-expressing SCN neurons during the mid-rest phase-when mice are most sensitive to ghrelin's orexigenic effects-increased food intake.

Hedgehog-GLI signaling in positive stromal cells promotes murine nephrogenesis via TGFβ signaling.

Normal kidney function depends on the proper development of the nephron: the functional unit of the kidney. Reciprocal signaling interactions between the stroma and nephron progenitor compartment have been proposed to control nephron development. Here, we show that removal of hedgehog intracellular effector smoothened (-deficient mutants) in the cortical stroma results in an abnormal renal capsule, and an expanded nephron progenitor domain with an accompanying decrease in nephron number via a block in epithelialization.

Activated Hedgehog-GLI Signaling Causes Congenital Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction.

Intrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstruction is the most common cause of congenital hydronephrosis, yet the underlying pathogenesis is undefined. Hedgehog proteins control morphogenesis by promoting GLI-dependent transcriptional activation and inhibiting the formation of the GLI3 transcriptional repressor. Hedgehog regulates differentiation and proliferation of ureteric smooth muscle progenitor cells during murine kidney-ureter development.

Origin and Function of the Renal Stroma in Health and Disease.

The renal stroma is defined as a heterogeneous population of cells that serve both as a supportive framework and as a source of specialized cells in the renal capsule, glomerulus, vasculature, and interstitium. In this chapter, we review published evidence defining what, where, and why stromal cells are important. We describe the functions of the renal stroma andhow stromal derivatives are crucial for normal kidney function.