Principles of human and mouse nephron development

The mechanisms underlying kidney development in mice and humans is an area of intense study. Insights into kidney organogenesis have the potential to guide our understanding of the origin of congenital anomalies and enable the assembly of genetic diagnostic tools. A number of studies have delineated signalling nodes that regulate positional identities and cell fates of nephron progenitor and precursor cells, whereas cross-species comparisons have markedly enhanced our understanding of conserved and divergent features of mammalian kidney organogenesis. Greater insights into the complex cellular movements that occur as the proximal-distal axis is established have challenged our understanding of nephron patterning and provided important clues to the elaborate developmental context in which human kidney diseases can arise. Studies of kidney development in vivo have also facilitated efforts to recapitulate nephrogenesis in kidney organoids in vitro, by providing a detailed blueprint of signalling events, cell movements and patterning mechanisms that are required for the formation of correctly patterned nephrons and maturation of physiologically functional apparatus that are responsible for maintaining human health. Our understanding of nephrogenesis has been aided by studies that have compared features of human and mouse nephrogenesis, and by technological advances in single-cell omics and high-resolution imaging techniques. This Review describes current understanding of nephron patterning, focusing on the processes by which nephron progenitors are recruited into the developing nephron.

Automated summary

Understanding the mechanisms of kidney development is crucial for studying congenital anomalies and developing genetic diagnostic tools. Studies have identified signaling pathways that regulate the development of nephron progenitor and precursor cells, and cross-species comparisons have enhanced our understanding of the common and unique features of kidney development. Furthermore, insights into cellular movements and patterning mechanisms have provided important clues for understanding kidney diseases. In addition, advances in technology have allowed the creation of kidney organoids in vitro, providing a blueprint for the formation of correctly patterned nephrons. Comparisons between human and mouse kidney development have also aided our understanding, as well as single-cell omics and high-resolution imaging techniques.