Back to all available

Uncovering key genes and pathways in human embryonic kidney development

bioinformatics
genomics
allergy-and-clinical-immunology
nephrology
neurology

Abstract

Background: The normal development of the embryonic kidney is critical for human kidney function. However, the key genes, biological processes, and pathways involved in various developmental stages of human embryonic kidneys remain poorly understood.

Methods: In this study, we collected kidney samples from human embryos ranging from 3 to 7 months of development. Through transcriptomic sequencing, we identified stage-specific highly expressed genes and biological processes associated with kidney development and function.

Results: Our results revealed high expression of genes associated with renal system processes during early embryonic development. As the kidney developed, genes linked to kidney function, such as renal absorption, renal sodium excretion, and regulation of renal sodium excretion, were highly expressed. In addition, the complex regulatory relationship among genes associated with kidney development, kidney morphogenesis, and cell differentiation involved in kidney development was illustrated. These findings suggest that the development of the renal system is a major event in the early kidney. With the development of the kidney, the function of water absorption and salt ion metabolism will be gradually acquired. The development of the human embryonic kidney requires the synergistic regulation by multiple genes. Notably, beyond identifying known genes, we also identified many novel genes implicated in kidney development and function. Furthermore, pseudotime trajectory and weighted gene co-expression network analysis further elucidated distinct biological processes active in the kidney across distinct developmental stages.

Conclusion: These results provide an essential basis for future studies on kidney development and diseases arising from fetal kidney anomalies.

Ask to review this manuscript

Notes for potential reviewers

  • Volunteering is not a guarantee that you will be asked to review. There are many reasons: reviewers must be qualified, there should be no conflicts of interest, a minimum of two reviewers have already accepted an invitation, etc.
  • This is NOT OPEN peer review. The review is single-blind, and all recommendations are sent privately to the Academic Editor handling the manuscript. All reviews are published and reviewers can choose to sign their reviews.
  • What happens after volunteering? It may be a few days before you receive an invitation to review with further instructions. You will need to accept the invitation to then become an official referee for the manuscript. If you do not receive an invitation it is for one of many possible reasons as noted above.
  • PeerJ does not judge submissions based on subjective measures such as novelty, impact or degree of advance. Effectively, reviewers are asked to comment on whether or not the submission is scientifically and technically sound and therefore deserves to join the scientific literature. Our Peer Review criteria can be found on the "Editorial Criteria" page - reviewers are specifically asked to comment on 3 broad areas: "Basic Reporting", "Experimental Design" and "Validity of the Findings".
  • Reviewers are expected to comment in a timely, professional, and constructive manner.
  • Until the article is published, reviewers must regard all information relating to the submission as strictly confidential.
  • When submitting a review, reviewers are given the option to "sign" their review (i.e. to associate their name with their comments). Otherwise, all review comments remain anonymous.
  • All reviews of published articles are published. This includes manuscript files, peer review comments, author rebuttals and revised materials.
  • Each time a decision is made by the Academic Editor, each reviewer will receive a copy of the Decision Letter (which will include the comments of all reviewers).

If you have any questions about submitting your review, please email us at [email protected].