The development of the kidney begins with the formation of the nephrogenic cord, derived from intermediate mesoderm, which includes the sequential formation of three nephric systems: the pronephros, mesonephros, and metanephros.
The nephrogenic cord is crucial as it initiates the entire process of kidney development, leading to different nephric systems.
The nephrogenic cord plays a critical role in kidney formation as part of the intermediate mesoderm. During embryonic development, the nephrogenic cord gives rise to three major kidney structures in sequence:
The nephrogenic cord provides the cellular foundation for the formation of nephrons, the functional units of the kidney, and the ureteric bud, which develops into the ureters and collecting ducts. This interaction between the nephrogenic cord and ureteric bud is essential for proper nephron development and kidney morphogenesis.
The nephrogenic cord, derived from the intermediate mesoderm, plays a fundamental role in the development of the kidney through the sequential formation of the pronephros, mesonephros, and metanephros. This process is essential for the formation of the mature kidney, with the metanephros being the permanent and fully functional kidney in humans.
The nephrogenic cord serves as the foundation for nephron development, guiding the differentiation of cells into the nephric systems that ultimately lead to the formation of nephrons and the collecting duct system. According to research, the reciprocal interactions between the ureteric bud and the metanephric mesenchyme are key for nephron differentiation and ureteric bud branching, processes critical for proper kidney formation (Khoshdel Rad et al., 2020).
In addition, advances in kidney organoid technologies have provided significant insights into nephrogenesis, demonstrating the complex cellular and molecular interactions that occur in the nephrogenic cord. These organoids mimic the architecture of the developing kidney, helping researchers study the differentiation signals that regulate the formation of the nephric systems (Gupta & Morizane, 2022).
References:
- Khoshdel Rad N., Aghdami N., Moghadasali R. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Kidney Development: From the Embryo to the Kidney Organoid. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 2020.
- Gupta N., Morizane R. Kidney development to kidney organoids and back again. Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology, 2022(GenesisoftheKidney_Insi…).