<i>OSR1</i> and <i>SIX2</i> drive divergent transcriptional programs in human kidney cells: implications for regeneration and tumorigenesis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The nephron progenitor cells generate approximately one million nephrons during human nephrogenesis. At 34-36 weeks of human genstation, silencing of the key kidney progenitor genes results in depletion of this progenitor pool, limiting the regeneration capacity of the mature kidney. Concurrently, the increasing incidence of end-stage kidney disease underscores the urgent need for innovative regenerative strategies.

Methods

We employed lentiviral vectors to ectopically induce two key kidney progenitor genes OSR1 and SIX2 individually or together in primary human adult kidney (hAK) cells. We then analyzed the cellular and molecular consequences through morphological assessments, functional assays, in vivo transplantation studies, and comprehens

SUBMITTER: Pode-Shakked N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12531215 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature