The molecular mechanisms that set congenital nephron number are unknown. However,
humans with modest suboptimal nephron number may be at increased risk for essential
hypertension, and those with more severe nephron deficits at birth may develop progressive
renal insufficiency. A model of branching morphogenesis during fetal kidney development in
which the extent of ureteric bud arborization is dependent on suppression of programmed
cell death has been proposed. This study shows that the increased apoptosis and reduced …