Source
Department for Experimental Medicine, Nephrology and Critical Care, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, UK. edward.sharples@orh.nhs.uk
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW:
The kidney has the ability to restore the structural and functional integrity of the proximal tubule, which undergoes extensive epithelial cell death via necrosis and apoptosis after a prolonged ischaemic insult. This review focuses on the recent advances in this area, and discusses the possible therapeutic interventions that might be derived from these insights.
RECENT FINDINGS:
Interest has recently been focused on the possible role of bone marrow originating stem cells in endogenous repair of the injured tubule, the identification of a resident population of progenitor cells in the kidney, and the potential therapeutic role of growth factors including erythropoietin and hepatocyte growth factor to stimulate these processes.
SUMMARY:
Advances in the understanding of the early processes that initiate and control the proliferation of surviving tubular epithelium and vascular structures are ready to be translated into clinical trials in acute kidney injury.