K-Cl cotransporter expression in the human kidney

A in situ hybridization with a nonradioactive digoxigenin-labeled probe was used to investigate the distribution of the K-Cl cotransporter protein KCC1 mRNA in the human kidney. Results show that the KCC1 mRNA is abundantly expressed in the epithelial cells. It was also expressed in endothelial cells of the renal vessels and glomerular mesangial cells. The findings suggest that the cotransporter play an important role in transepithelial K and Cl reabsorption.