The maturing kidney: Development and susceptibility

Kidney morphogenesis is accomplished by the coordinated interaction of mole cular signals that culminate in the production of an organ that is architec turally and functionally ready for extrauterine, free life. In humans, neph rogenesis is completed before birth. However the kidney continues to mature both from a functional and anatomical point of view. Throughout ifs develo pment, the kidney is susceptible to a variety of injurious agents. This bri ef review considers the basic mechanisms of kidney organogenesis and functi onal maturation. To illustrate some concepts, the renal alterations caused by interference with a normal regulatory system, the renin-angiotensin syst em is discussed.