Fish can regenerate nephrons (the functional units of the kidney) de novo after kidney injury, whereas adult mammals lack this ability. This study identifies a pool of self renewing nephron stem/progenitor cells that are responsible for nephrogenesis during kidney growth and regeneration in zebrafish. The findings might provide an insight into how mammalian renal regeneration may be therapeutically activated.
- Cuong Q. Diep
- Dongdong Ma
- Alan J. Davidson