Epithelial tubule interconnection driven by HGF-Met signaling in the kidney

Abstract

The formation of functional epithelial tubules is critical for the development and maintenance of many organ systems. While the mechanisms of tubule formation by epithelial cells are well studied, the process of tubule anastomosis—where tubules connect to form a continuous network—remains poorly understood. In this study, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze embryonic mouse kidney tubules undergoing anastomosis. Our analysis identified hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as a key potential mediator of this process. To investigate this further, we developed an assay using epithelial spheroids with fluorescently tagged apical surfaces, allowing us to visualize and quantify tubule–tubule connections. Our results demonstrate that HGF promotes tubule anastomosis, and it does so through the MAPK signaling pathway and MMPs, independently of cell proliferation. Remarkably, treatment with HGF and collagenase was sufficient to induce tubule anastomosis in embryonic mouse kidneys. These findings provide a foundational understanding of how to enhance the formation of functional tubular networks. This has significant clinical implications for the use of in vitro–grown kidney tissues in transplant medicine, potentially improving the success and integration of transplanted tissues.