Genes, Vol. 12, Pages 318: Embryonic Kidney Development, Stem Cells and the Origin of Wilms tumor

Genes, Vol. 12, Pages 318: Embryonic Kidney Development, Stem Cells and the Origin of Wilms tumor Genes doi: 10.3390/genes12020318 Authors: Hao Li Peter Hohenstein Satu Kuure The adult mammalian kidney is a poorly regenerating organ that lacks the stem cells that could replenish functional homeostasis similarly to, e.g., skin or the hematopoietic system. Unlike a mature kidney, the embryonic kidney hosts at least three types of lineage-specific stem cells that give rise to (a) a ureter and collecting duct system, (b) nephrons, and (c) mesangial cells together with connective tissue of the stroma. Extensive interest has been raised towards these embryonic progenitor cells, which are normally lost before birth in humans but remain part of the undifferentiated nephrogenic rests in the pediatric renal cancer Wilms tumor. Here, we discuss the current understanding of kidney-specific embryonic progenitor regulation in the innate environment of the developing kidney and the types of disruptions in their balanced regulation that lead to the formation of Wilms tumor.
Source: Genes - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research