Fig. 3.

Proximal tubule Atg5 deletion changes the ultrastructure of the proximal tubule in ischemic kidney injury. Electron micrographs of proximal tubule cells (A) 1 day after reflow and (B) 28 days after reflow following ischemia. At 1 day of I/R, the mitochondria from the PT-atg5 KO group showed more severe cristae fragmentation and lysosomal storage than those from the WT group. Mitochondria-filled autophagosomes and autolysosomes were present in WT tubule cells, whereas concentric membranes were detected in Atg5 deficient tubule cells. After 28 days, the mitochondria showed slight ridge fragmentation with intercellular collagen deposition. Autophagosomes and autolysosomes were still present in the WT group, and concentric membrane bodies were still detected in the PT-atg5 KO group; however, lysosomal accumulation was no longer observed. The arrows indicate double-membrane autophagosomes and autolysosomes with a single membrane. Arrowheads indicate concentric membranes, asterisks indicate collagen fibers, mitochondria are labeled with “M,” and lysosomes are labeled with “L.” Scale bars, 1 μm