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Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Generation of Human Kidney Tubuloids from Tissue and Urine
Published on: April 16, 2021
Apoptosis of renal tubular cells in congenital hydronephrosis
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Major Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Second Clinical Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110003, China. jjzhang@mail.sy.ln.cn
Objective:
To assess apoptosis in congenital hydronephrosis and discuss its clinical significance.
Methods:
Apoptosis was detected in 15 kidneys from children with congenital hydronephrosis (5 mild hydronephrosis, 5 moderate hydronephrosis and 5 severe hydronephrosis) using the electronmicroscope, in situ gap labeling of fragmented nuclear DNA and DNA fragmentation analysis.
Results:
Apoptosis was seen in kidneys from children with congenital hydronephrosis. Margination of nuclear chromatin was identified and rounded apoptotic bodies were seen. The mean apoptotic index was 0.0941 +/- 0.017 in severe hydronephrosis, 0.0325 +/- 0.0169 in moderate hydronephrosis, and 0.0021 +/- 0.0031 in mild hydronephrosis. There was a significant difference between severe and moderate hydronephrosis (P = 0.0005), as well as between moderate and mild hydronephrosis (P = 0.0154). Moreover, with an increasing degree of hydronephrosis, the number of apoptotic cells also increased. Five kidneys with severe hydronephrosis and one kidney with moderate hydronephrosis showed typical apoptotic bands.
Conclusion:
Apoptosis might participate in damaging kidneys in children with congenital hydronephrosis.
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