Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Kidney Development

Kidney development, or nephrogenesis, is the embryonic process by which the mammalian kidney forms from intermediate mesoderm through a sequence of three successive structures: the transient pronephros and mesonephros, followed by the permanent metanephros. The metanephros arises from a reciprocal inductive interact…

Curated from this journal's research 📚 6 peer-reviewed articles cited Cited 68× across the literature 🔖 ISSN 2574-4488 🗓 Reviewed July 2026

Overview

Kidney development, or nephrogenesis, is the embryonic process by which the mammalian kidney forms from intermediate mesoderm through a sequence of three successive structures: the transient pronephros and mesonephros, followed by the permanent metanephros. The metanephros arises from a reciprocal inductive interaction between two tissues, the ureteric bud, which branches repeatedly to generate the collecting duct system, and the surrounding metanephric mesenchyme, which condenses around each branch tip and undergoes a mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition to form nephrons. Each nephron differentiates into the glomerulus, proximal and distal tubules, and the loop of Henle, establishing the filtering and reabsorptive units of the mature organ. This process is tightly orchestrated by signalling pathways and transcription factors that govern branching morphogenesis, progenitor self-renewal, and patterning, and it largely determines the final complement of nephrons an individual will possess. In humans nephrogenesis is completed before or shortly after birth, after which no new nephrons form. Disturbances during development, whether genetic, nutritional, or environmental, can reduce nephron number or produce structural malformations, with lasting consequences for kidney function and susceptibility to hypertension and chronic kidney disease in later life. Study of nephrogenesis combines developmental genetics, cell biology, and computational analysis of gene regulation, and underpins regenerative approaches to renal repair.

Research published in this journal

6 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

How this research is being cited

The 6 articles above have been cited 68 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.

A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Kidney Development, linking to each citing work.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in Nephrology Advances (ISSN 2574-4488).

Journal editorial board
Ying-Yong Zhao · United States Santiago Cuevas · United States Istvan Arany · United States

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.