Intussusceptive pillar formation in developing porcine glomeruli

Background/Aims: Intussusceptive angiogenesis (IA) is a dynamic process which contributes to vascular expansion and remodeling. Intraluminal pillars have long been the distinctive structural indicator of intussusceptive angiogenesis. However, the mechanism of their formation has not been fully elucidated yet. Methods: Using light and electron microscopy, we studied intussusceptive vascular growth in the developing porcine metanephric kidney. Results: We observed intraluminal pillars formed by endothelial cells in the vasculature of developing glomeruli. Their diameter was < 2.5 µm, consistent with the diameter of nascent pillars. TEM revealed that the majority of these pillars consisted only of endothelium. However, a central core of extracellular matrix (ECM) covered by endothelium, reminiscent of a more mature intussusceptive pillar, was also found in the lumen of a glomerular capillary. Perivascular cells or pericytes were not involved in the pillar structure during these stages of formation. Conclusion: This study shows ECM presence in a mature intussusceptive pillar without any perivascular cell involvement in the structure. This leads to the hypothesis that ECM deposition preceeds the participation of these cells in the formation of intraluminal pillars during IA in porcine metanephric glomerular capillaries