Figure 5

Localization of integrin α2 (ITGA2) expression. (a) Immunohistochemistry of wild-type mice with an antibody to ITGA2 showed staining solely in the glomeruli, whereas kidney tubules remain unstained. (Inset) At higher magnification, ITGA2 was mainly expressed in cells along the basement membrane, most probably podocytes. (d, e) Immunogold localization within the glomerulus demonstrated localization of ITGA2 primarily at the basal side of the podocyte foot processes and close to the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) (white arrows). (d-f) ITGA2 was not detected on the surface of endothelial cells. (b, c) Negative controls in ITGA2 knockouts. Original magnification: (a) × 100, × 400; (b-g) 20,000 to 30,000. e = erythrocyte; p = podocyte foot processes; t = tubular cell; TBM = tubular basement membrane.