Figure 1. C-kit⁺ cells are expressed in neonatal rat kidney and can be isolated by FACS.

(A) C-kit⁺ cells in the renal papilla.

(B,C) C-kit⁺ cells in the medullary rays and nephrogenic cortex exhibiting co-localization with E-cadherin and N-cadherin, respectively.(*) represents S-shaped bodies (SSB).

(D) Section of the nephrogenic cortex costained for c-kit and laminin in SSB (*) and tubules. Insets show regions at higher magnification.

(E,F) C-kit⁺ cells did not stain for Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) or Na-Cl co-transporter (NCCT), respectively.

(G,H) Section of the nephrogenic cortex and medulla costained for c-kit and Na-K-2Cl co-transporter (NKCC2) in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop.

(I) C-kit⁺ cells did not stain for aquaporin-1 (AQP1).

(J) Schematic of the experimental procedure for c-kit isolation from neonatal rat kidneys.

(K) Isolation of c-kit⁺/Lin⁻ cells by FACS in the quadrant Q4-2 with depletion of lineage cells.

(L) C-kit⁺/Lin^- cells in monolayer culture on plastic after sorting.

(M) Sorted cells were positive for the c-kit receptor.

Cell nuclei are stained blue with DAPI. Scale bars represent 20μm (A-I, M) and 50 μm (L).