Hyperproliferation of bile duct epithelial cells due to cell-cycle dysregulation is a key feature of cystogenesis in polycystic liver diseases (PCLDs). Recent evidence suggests a regulatory role for microRNAs (miRNAs) in a variety of biological processes, including cell proliferation. We therefore hypothesized that miRNAs may be involved in the regulation of selected components of the cell cycl...

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are somatic cells that have been transcriptionally reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell (ESC)-like state. iPSCs are a renewable source of diverse somatic cell types and tissues matching the original patient, including nephron-like kidney organoids. iPSCs have been derived representing several kidney disorders, such as ADPKD, ARPKD, Alport syndrome, and l...

Mutations at a single locus, PKHD1, are responsible for causing human autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). Recent studies suggest that the cystic disease might result from defects in planar cell polarity, but how the 4074 amino acid ciliary protein encoded by the longest open reading frame of this transcriptionally complex gene may regulate this process is unknown. Using novel...

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a common genetic disorder leading to cyst formation in the kidneys and other organs that ultimately results in kidney failure and death. Currently, there is no therapy for slowing down or stopping the progression of PKD. In this study, we identified the disintegrin metalloenzyme 17 (ADAM17) as a key regulator of cell proliferation in kidney tissues of conditio...

Cholangiocytes, the epithelial cells lining intrahepatic bile ducts, are ciliated cells. Each cholangiocyte has a primary cilium consisting of (i) a microtubule-based axoneme and (ii) the basal body, centriole-derived, microtubule-organizing center from which the axoneme emerges. Primary cilia in cholangiocytes were described decades ago, but their physiological and pathophysiological significa...

A 25-year-old pregnant female reported at 28 weeks of gestation with non specific abdominal pain. On evaluation, the ultra-sonogram revealed a single live fetus in breech presentation. Placenta was anterior and high and there was severe oligohydramnios. Both fetal kidneys were enlarged in size (occupying most of the abdominal cavity) and homogenously hyperechoic & studded with numerous variable...