Mammalian Kidney Development: Principles, Progress, and Projections

Abstract

SUMMARYThe mammalian kidney is a vital organ with considerable cellular complexity and functional diversity. Kidney development is notable for requiring distinct but coincident tubulogenic processes involving reciprocal inductive signals between mesenchymal and epithelial progenitor compartments. Key molecular pathways mediating these interactions have been identified. Further, advances in the analysis of gene expression and gene activity, coupled with a detailed knowledge of cell origins, are enhancing our understanding of kidney morphogenesis and unraveling the normal processes of postnatal repair and identifying disease-causing mechanisms. This article focuses on recent insights into central regulatory processes governing organ assembly and renal disease, and predicts future directions for the field.

Mutations in GREB1L Cause Bilateral Kidney Agenesis in Humans and Mice

“…3 Differentiation of the metanephros (definitive kidney) is initiated by a reciprocal induction between the ureteric bud (UB) protruding from the Wolffian duct and the metanephric mesenchyme (MM), that control branching of the UB for formation of the collecting ducts and mesenchymalto-epithelial transition of the MM for differentiation of the nephrons. 4 The pathophysiological mechanisms leading to CAKUT by affecting nephrogenesis processes are complex, involving both environmental and genetic factors. The existence of a genetic component for CAKUT was proposed based on the observation of familial and syndromic cases.…”

A spatially-averaged mathematical model of kidney branching morphogenesis

“…1A). Crosstalk between the two cell populations regulates their rates of cell proliferation (Little and McMahon, 2012). The tip cells also produce the cells that form the branches of the developing kidney.…”

“…An initial epithelial outgrowth, the ureteric bud (UB), extends from the nephric duct of the embryo in response to a source of chemoattractive ligands in an adjacent mesenchymal population, the metanephric mesenchyme, E10.5 in mouse, week 5 in humans (Little and McMahon, 2012). Once these two populations meet, the ureteric bud commences a process of mainly dichotomous branching events to form a characteristic 'ureteric tree' that constitutes the exit path for urine produced by the nephrons.…”

Effect of Diabetes on the Rat Renal Cortex and the Possible Protective Role of Vitamins C and E

“…Its main function is to eliminate nitrogenous waste products and to maintain the composition, volume, pressure of the blood and the density of our bones. [1] Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic condition which results from inability of the pancreas to produce adequate amounts of insulin, or insensitivity of the cells of the body to insulin effects, thus resulting in unusually elevated blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia). [2,3] Insulin resistance and chronic hyperglycaemia lead To various long-term problems and complications such as autonomic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy and nephropathy.…”