Teri Jo Mauch, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Dr. Mauch's laboratory investigates the roles of the vasculature and vasoactive peptides in embryonic kidney development. The first project investigates branching morphogenesis in cultured mouse metanephroi from the GFP-kidney mouse, (GFP is expressed under the control of the Hox b7 promoter) illuminating the ureteric bud and its derivatives, thereby facilitating real-time analysis of branching morphogenesis. Fetal kidneys cultured in vitro under conditions that either suppressed or drove AT2 mediated angiotensin II signaling showed that AT2 is important in patterning the ureteric bud. Current studies compare wild type with AT2-null mice, using microarray, quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization to identify downstream effectors of AT2 mediated angiotensin II signaling.
The second project combines the avian model with the genetic power of mutant mice to define the molecular relationships between blood vessel formation, somitogenesis and pronephros induction. Dr. Mauch hypothesizes that molecules secreted by resident angioblasts regulate pronephros induction by the paraxial mesoderm. Studies include fate mapping to determine the relationship of angioblasts to paraxial and intermediate mesoderm precursors during gastrulation and tests to determine if angioblasts and vascular signals are necessary and sufficient for pronephros induction. Chemical manipulation (inhibitors of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis) and cut and paste tissue recombination experiments combining tissues isolated from knockout mice that lack blood vessels with chick intermediate mesoderm will determine if blood vessel precursors are required for pronephros induction by PM. To determine if the vasculature is sufficient to induce the pronephros, intermediate mesoderm will be co-cultured with arteries, vascular inducers.
