O'Brien K, Saravanabavan S, Zhang JQJ, et al. - Since the natural history of the renal microvasculature alterations in PKD remains unknown, researchers investigated whether angiogenesis is coupled with kidney cyst expansion, and if the loss of peritubular capillary networks precedes the onset of interstitial fibrosis. In groups of Lewis polycystic kidney (LPK) rats and juvenile cystic kidney (jck) mice, the assessment of renal microvasculature (RECA-1 and CD34) was done during the early, mid and late stage of disease. Experts found that the loss of peritubular capillaries happened in early-stage disease, in LPK rats, and paralleled cyst formation, whereas, it was shown to be delayed to the mid stage in jck mice. In both models, displacement of vasa recta by growing cysts was evident and these were shown to regress in LPK rats with disease progression but lengthened in jck mice. Findings revealed that regression of peritubular capillaries as well as disruption of vasa recta happened in parallel with angiogenesis and the progressive enlargement of kidney cysts. Potential strategies to be taken into account in the management of PKD are regrowth of peritubular capillaries combined with inhibition of angiogenesis.