smallRNA data - Unique miRNome and Transcriptome Profiles Underlie Microvascular Heterogeneity in Mouse Kidney

Endothelial cells in the blood vessels in the kidney exert different functions depending on the (micro)vascular bed they are located in. These functional differences are likely a result of differential microRNA and mRNA transcription patterns, yet the identity of these molecules is not well known. We zoomed in on the endothelial cells of microvascular compartments in mouse renal cortex by laser microdissecting the microvessels prior to (small) RNA sequencing analyses. By these means, we characterised microRNA and mRNA transcription profiles of arterioles, glomeruli, peritubular capillaries, and post-capillary venules. RT-qPCR, in situ hybridisation, and immunohistochemistry were used to validate sequencing results. Unique microRNA and mRNA transcription profiles were found in all microvascular compartments, with dedicated marker microRNAs and mRNAs showing enriched transcription in a single microvascular compartment. In situ hybridisation validated localisation of microRNAs mmu-miR-140-3p in arterioles, of mmu-miR-322-3p in glomeruli, and of mmu-miR-451a in post-capillary venules. Immunohistochemical staining showed that von Willebrand Factor protein was mainly expressed in arterioles and post-capillary venules, while GABRB1 expression was enriched in glomeruli and IGF1 in post-capillary venules. Our study shows that microvascular endothelial heterogeneity in mouse kidney is a result of a combination of differentially expressed microRNAs and mRNAs. The identified profiles provide important molecular information to take into account for future studies into microvascular engagement in health and disease. Overall design: Gene expression analysis in microvascular compartments from healthy mouse kidney cortex (arterioles, glomeruli, peritubular capillaries, post-capillary venules) to reveal microvascular-compartment specific gene expression profiles