Significant advances have been made recently in elucidating the cellular consequences of
urinary tract obstruction during renal development. Urinary tract obstruction impairs growth
and maturation of the kidney, and can also cause renal maldevelopment. This includes a
reduction in the number of nephrons, tubular atrophy, and progressive interstitial fibrosis.
Apoptosis (programmed cell death) accounts for much of the loss of tubular epithelial cells.
Factors contributing to apoptosis include stretching of cells in dilated tubules, altered renal …