Open AccessNephron progenitor cells in development and disease
Author(s) -
Kyle Dickinson,
Chantal Bernard,
Diana M. Iglesias,
Paul Goodyer
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
medical research archives
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2375-1924
pISSN - 2375-1916
DOI - 10.18103/mra.v10i1.2650
Subject(s) - nephron , progenitor cell , kidney development , progenitor , hypoplasia , population , embryonic stem cell , kidney , biology , kidney disease , cancer research , medicine , pathology , stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , endocrinology , genetics , gene , environmental health
The emergence of nephron progenitor cells (NPCs) in early embryonic life leads to the many rounds of nephrogenesis that result in a richly endowed kidney by the end of gestation. A delicate balance between NPC differentiation and self-renewal must be maintained to guarantee optimal nephron endowment. Genetic errors which disturb NPC cell fate can result in premature NPC depletion and renal hypoplasia/dysplasia or permit the B-catenin mutations that accompany malignant transformation into a Wilms tumor. Retention of a small population of NPCs scattered throughout the adult kidney are important for recovery from acute tubular injury later in life. In this review, we cover the role of NPCs in both mammalian kidney development and disease.