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Published on: April 16, 2021
Kidney development: an overview
Ilkka Pietilä1, Seppo J Vainio
1Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Biocenter and Infotech Oulu, Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Intelligent Systems, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
Background:
Kidney diseases are worldwide public health problems with a high cost and increasing incidence. By revealing the genetic and cellular mechanism behind mammalian kidney development, better diagnostic methods and novel therapies can be expected to be developed. The mammalian kidney is a typical organ that develops on the basis of sequential and reciprocal cell and tissue interactions. Functional genetic analysis has identified that genes from different classes are involved in the construction of the kidney and the same genes are also connected to the development of diseases.
Summary:
This review gives an overview of the basics of kidney ontogeny, from identification of the primary kidney cell to inductive signals of ureter budding and formation of the segmented nephron. We also go through some of the key factors involved in the control of morphogenesis.
Key Message:
Despite the wealth of accumulated data on nephron development, including progenitor cell control factors and inductive signals, many of the detailed mechanisms remain to be revealed.
Insights
Understanding mammalian kidney development is crucial for advancing diagnostics and therapies for kidney diseases. This review details kidney ontogeny, from initial cell identification to nephron formation and morphogenesis control.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
- Nephrology
Background:
- Kidney diseases represent a significant global health burden with rising incidence.
- Understanding the genetic and cellular mechanisms of kidney development is key to improving diagnostics and therapies.
- Mammalian kidney development involves intricate, sequential cell and tissue interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of kidney ontogeny.
- To explore the inductive signals and key factors controlling kidney morphogenesis.
- To highlight the current understanding and remaining gaps in nephron development.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on kidney development.
- Analysis of functional genetic studies.
- Synthesis of data on cell-cell interactions and signaling pathways.
Main Results:
- Detailed description of kidney ontogeny from primary cell identification to nephron formation.
- Identification of key genetic factors and inductive signals governing morphogenesis.
- Elucidation of the sequential and reciprocal interactions driving kidney development.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress has been made in understanding nephron development.
- Many detailed mechanisms of progenitor cell control and inductive signaling require further investigation.
- Continued research holds promise for novel therapeutic strategies for kidney diseases.
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