| Abstract: | During embryonic life, renal morphogenesis is characterized by a defined period of intense cellular activity, inductive-transformation of undifferentiated cells to polarized epithelia, in-growth of capillaries into an intricate parenchvmal epithelial-mesenchvmal mass, and finally the maturation into an organ with diverse structural and biological functions. It should be emphasized that the interactions between various growth factors and their receptors, ECM glvcoproteins and proto-oncogenes are required for proper epithelial: mesenchymal interactions essential to the process of nephrogenesis. A balance between the activities of these macromolecules, whether essential or redundant, is needed to orchestrate the proper cell signals and responses to assure the progression of normal organogenesis. Finally, in spite of the enormous wealth of data in the literature, the process of renal development is so complex that a clear picture has yet to emerge of the precise coordinated and sequential events that result in the formation of a mature functioning kidney. |
