Proximal convoluted tubule cells in ischemia and post injury regeneration

Abstract

  Proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) cells are more sensitive than other nephron tubular cells to injury induced by ischemia and nephrotoxins. After injury, some PCT cells die and disconnect from basal lamina and finally shed in tubular lumen. In this article, we reviewed effect of ischemia on PCT cells, regeneration and origin of newly formed PCT cells and then tight junction assembly between regenerating cells. PCT cells originate from any tubular differentiated cells that survived after injury. Survived cells dedifferentiate to scatter tubular cells (SCTs) that proliferate and renew epithelial tubule. SCTs are present in human PCT in normal healthy condition but do not exist in normal rodents. A question has remained unclear, if the SCTs are transient cells in regenerating PCT, why these cells are present in normal human PCT.