Vascular niches in fetal kidneys

Vascular niches for disseminated tumour cells in bone

The vasculature of the skeletal system regulates osteogenesis and hematopoiesis, in addition to its primary function as a transportation network. Recent studies suggest that the vasculature in bone regulates multiple steps involved in the metastatic cascade. Matrix and growth factor abundant vascular microenvironments in bone not only provide a fertile soil for the metastatic growth but also su...

Fetal liver hematopoietic stem cell niches associate with portal vessels.

Whereas the cellular basis of the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche in the bone marrow has been characterized, the nature of the fetal liver niche is not yet elucidated. We show that Nestin(+)NG2(+) pericytes associate with portal vessels, forming a niche promoting HSC expansion. Nestin(+)NG2(+) cells and HSCs scale during development with the fractal branching patterns of portal vessels, tri...

Prenatal Diagnosis of Bilateral Fetal Duplex Kidneys and a Short Review about Duplex Kidneys

Duplex kidney is one of common major congenital abnormalities of the urinary tract with an incidence about 1% of all live births and higher frequency in females than in males. Majority of duplex kidneys are unilateral. Although the antenatal diagnosis of fetal hydronephrosis is simple, the diagnosis of fetal renal duplication is infrequent, especially in case the collecting system is not dilate...

Are kidneys not ischemic in human renal vascular disease?

Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis ( 60% lumen occlusion) is a relatively common cause of nephropathy and secondary hypertension, and its frequency increases with age and the presence of cardiovascular disease.1 Renal vascular disease is present in 0.5% to 7.0% of patients over age 65 years, 5.5% of patients with chronic kidney disease, 22.0% of those starting dialysis, 28.0% of those with p...

Vascular Growth in the Fetal Lung