Embryonic macrophages encourage early kidney development, interact with developing renal blood vessels, are enriched for mRNAs linked to vascular development, and promote endothelial cross-connections.

Three-dimensional imaging was used to identify structural and quantitative features of developing lymphatics in the kidneys of mice, humans and in a genetic mouse model of polycystic kidney disease.

Kidney organoids are a high-fidelity system for investigating basement membrane regulation in development and disease.

Prostaglandin synthesis and PGE2 receptor activity are essential for mediating segmentation of renal progenitors during pronephros formation in the zebrafish.

In the developing kidney, secreted molecules of the R-spondin family control progenitor cell proliferation and nephron formation by permitting WNT/β-catenin signalling.

Analysing developing mouse kidneys demonstrates nephron formation does not significantly impact branching morphogenesis of the ureteric bud, suggesting this process is distinct from branching in organs like the mammary gland.

Wnt11 maintains nephron progenitor niche integrity during kidney development through its modulation of cellular dynamics.

β-Catenin-mediated expansion of nephron progenitors is independent of direct β-catenin/chromatin engagement, while progenitor induction proceeds with a β-catenin-driven switch of repressive TCFL1/TCFL2 to activating TCF7/LEF1 factors on transcriptionally poised enhancers.

CEP83 plays a central role in regulating the development of intermediate mesoderm (IM) nephron progenitors, which may involve direct effects of CEP83 in the nephron progenitor differentiation program and indirect lateral plate mesoderm-mediated effects on the IM.

The patterning of the nephron is driven by a gradient in the activity of β-catenin and further defined by a network of BMP, PTEN and NOTCH signalling.