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Kidney Structure

Kidney Structure

The kidneys are two large bean-shaped organs located in the upper abdomen. They filter the blood several times a day to remove toxins and rebalance water and electrolytes of the circulatory system via the renal veins. The kidneys receive blood directly from the heart via the renal arteries. These arteries enter the kidney at the hilum, the concave surface of the bean, where they branch and divide into smaller vessels and capillaries.

Renal Tubule and Collecting Duct

Renal Tubule and Collecting Duct

The renal tubule is divided into three parts: the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), the Loop of Henle (LOH), and the distal convoluted tubule (DCT).
Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT):
The PCT is the initial segment of the renal tubule, extending from the Bowman's capsule that encloses the glomerulus. Its convoluted structure and microvilli-lined cells increase the surface area for reabsorption. The PCT reabsorbs glucose, amino acids, sodium, and water from the filtrate, ensuring essential...

Nephrons

Nephrons

The kidneys are intricate organs with millions of working units known as nephrons. Each nephron features two major structures: the renal corpuscle, which facilitates blood plasma filtration, and the renal tubule, which handles the glomerular filtrate. Blood supply is directly linked to the nephrons. The renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus, a capillary network, and the Bowman's capsule, a double-walled epithelial structure that encases the glomerulus. The filtering of blood plasma...

Filtration and Urine Formation

Filtration and Urine Formation

The function of the kidneys is to filter, reabsorb, secrete, and excrete. Every day the kidneys filter nearly 180 liters of blood, initially removing water and solutes but ultimately returning nearly all filtrates into circulation with the help of osmoregulatory hormones. This process removes wastes and toxins but is also crucial to maintain water and electrolyte levels. Most of these functions are performed by the tiny but numerous nephrons contained within the kidneys.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2025

Generation of Human Kidney Tubuloids from Tissue and Urine

Generation of Human Kidney Tubuloids from Tissue and Urine

Published on: April 16, 2021

Integrating collecting systems in human kidney organoids through fusion of distal nephron to ureteric bud.

Min Shi¹, Brittney Crouse¹, Nambirajan Sundaram²

¹Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.

|May 9, 2025

Summary

Researchers developed a new method to create human kidney organoids with connected collecting ducts (CDs) by combining specific cell types. This breakthrough enables the engineering of functional kidney tissues with complete nephron structures.

Keywords:

assembloid collecting system kidney organoid kidney regeneration metanephric mesenchyme nephrogenesis nephron fusion nephron segmentation ureteric bud

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 14, 2025

Generation of Human Kidney Tubuloids from Tissue and Urine

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Published on: April 16, 2021

Dissection and Culture of Mouse Embryonic Kidney

Dissection and Culture of Mouse Embryonic Kidney

Published on: May 17, 2017

Efficient Vascularization of Kidney Organoids through Intracelomic Transplantation in Chicken Embryos

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Published on: February 17, 2023

Area of Science:

Developmental biology
Stem cell research
Regenerative medicine

Background:

Kidneys are vital for homeostasis, relying on nephrons connected to collecting ducts (CDs) for waste excretion.
Current human pluripotent stem cell-derived kidney organoids lack CDs, resulting in blind-ended tubules and limited functionality.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a method for generating kidney organoids with a functional collecting duct network.
To investigate the mechanisms of nephron-collecting duct fusion during kidney development.

Main Methods:

Assembling induced nephrogenic mesenchyme with ureteric bud progenitors.
Utilizing a developmentally inspired human pluripotent stem cell differentiation system.
Modulating proximal-distal nephron patterning through temporal pathway manipulation.

Main Results:

Successfully generated kidney organoids with a collecting duct network integrated through fusion with distal tubules.
Demonstrated that nephron-collecting duct fusion is a stereotypical process regulated by nephron patterning.
Established a platform for studying nephron-ureteric bud fusion mechanisms.

Conclusions:

This study presents a novel strategy for engineering kidney organoids with complete nephron structures, including collecting systems.
The findings provide a framework for advancing the de novo generation of functional kidney tissue.
The developed system facilitates research into the principles of nephron development and fusion.