Polycystic kidney disease: inheritance, pathophysiology, prognosis, and treatment

Review

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Authors: Christian R Halvorson, Matthew S Bremmer, Stephen C Jacobs

Published Date June 2010 Volume 2010:3 Pages 69 - 83

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/IJNRD.S6939

Christian R Halvorson¹, Matthew S Bremmer¹, Stephen C Jacobs¹

¹Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

Abstract: Both autosomal dominant and recessive polycystic kidney disease are conditions with severe associated morbidity and mortality. Recent advances in the understanding of the genetic and molecular pathogenesis of both ADPKD and ARPKD have resulted in new, targeted therapies designed to disrupt cell signaling pathways responsible for the abnormal cell proliferation, dedifferentiation, apoptosis, and fluid secretion characteristic of the disease. Herein we review the current understanding of the pathophysiology of these conditions, as well as the current treatments derived from our understanding of the mechanisms of these diseases.

Keywords: Polycystic kidney disease, autosomal dominant, recessive, end stage renal disease