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Estimation of Nephron Number in Whole Kidney using the Acid Maceration Method
Published on: May 22, 2019
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Transgenerational programming of nephron deficits and hypertension
Jessica F Briffa1, Mary E Wlodek1, Karen M Moritz2
1Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|June 4, 2018
Summary
Poor fetal development due to suboptimal pregnancy environments can lead to reduced nephron endowment, increasing chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk. This risk, along with low birth weight and hypertension, may be passed across generations via epigenetic mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Nephrology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Suboptimal intrauterine environments impair fetal organ development, particularly kidney nephrogenesis.
- This can lead to reduced nephron endowment, a risk factor for hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- Intergenerational transmission of disease risk, including low birth weight and hypertension, is an area of growing interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on the intergenerational transmission of disease risk stemming from fetal development.
- To explore potential epigenetic mechanisms involved in this transmission.
- To highlight the impact of maternal nephron endowment on subsequent generations.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on fetal development, nephrogenesis, and intergenerational disease transmission.
- Analysis of studies investigating epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation, histone modification, non-coding RNAs).
- Examination of data on the role of maternal and paternal factors in disease inheritance.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests low birth weight and hypertension can be transmitted across generations.
- Emerging data indicates transmission can occur through both maternal and paternal lines, likely involving epigenetic mechanisms.
- Females with low nephron endowment face increased pregnancy complication risks, affecting offspring development.
Conclusions:
- Reduced nephron endowment may contribute to intergenerational disease transmission, though more data is needed.
- Epigenetic modifications are implicated as key pathways for this transmission.
- Further animal and human cohort studies are crucial to elucidate multi-generational effects on renal health and disease.
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