Abstract
The nephrogenic mesenchyme, or capping mesenchyme, is a reservoir of stem/progenitor cells for kidney development. At each round of branching of the neighboring ureteric epithelium, cells within the nephrogenic mesenchyme decide to remain uncommitted progenitors or to differentiate into renal vesicles (RV), the epithelial precursor unit that gives rise to each nephron. The Six2 transcription factor is required for the nephrogenic mesenchyme to maintain its progenitor status, whereas Wnt9b/β-catenin signaling initiates its differentiation. Genome-wide mapping of Six2 and β-catenin interactions at the DNA level revealed a complex interplay in the action of these factors in controlling cell decision making within the nephrogenic mesenchyme. Several lines of evidence have also linked a number of other regulatory factors, including Hox, Osr, Sall, and Wt family members, to these regulatory networks. Furthermore, genetic studies have highlighted the central role of Notch signaling, and the regional activity of a number of transcriptional factors including Lhx1, Pou3f3, Hnf1b, Mafb, and Tcf21 in subdividing RV derivatives into the physiologically distinct nephron segments that underpin nephron function.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Kidney Development, Disease, Repair and Regeneration |
Publisher | Elsevier Science Ltd. |
Pages | 67-74 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780128004388 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780128001028 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2015 |
Keywords
- Hox
- Nephron progenitors
- Osr1
- Six2
- β-Catensin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine