Role of Programmed Cell Death in Kidney Development: A Comprehensive Histological Review

Apoptosis is important form of cell death in the morphogenesis of the nephron during kidney organogenesis. The kidney is one of the most complex organs to develop because of its extraordinary cellular diversity, highly ordered architecture of tissues, and its absolute reliance upon the highly regulated and spatiotemporally coordinated mechanisms of cell death. Our primary goal was for our research to be based on the study of programmed cell death, its histological examination, as well as various molecular mechanisms that could influence nephron formation and the development of the definitive kidney. A literature review on apoptosis and its influence on kidney development was conducted between 2010 and 2024 using several scientific databases. Kidney development is greatly influenced by apoptosis, which involves nephron patterning, branching morphogenesis of the ureteric bud, and cell death when cells in excess grow during kidney remodeling, Apoptosis is also tightly regulated during kidney development to determine nephron number. Disturbance of apoptosis would therefore contribute to congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract as well as other forms of progressive kidney disease. The knowledge of programmed cell death in kidney development offers valuable information related to normal nephrogenesis and abnormal kidney conditions. In the future, kidney therapies could become more effective if apoptotic pathways involved in kidney development and regenerative processes are identified.