Age-Related Changes in Kidney and Loss of Resistance to Damage: The Role of the Decrease in the Number of Kidney Progenitor Cells during Aging

Abstract

Many organs undergo negative changes during aging that affect their functions and ability to regenerate. In particular, the kidneys become more susceptible to acute injury and are more likely to develop chronic kidney disease with age. One of the reasons for this may be a decrease in the number of kidney resident progenitor cells. This review addresses age-related changes that occur in the kidneys at the histological and molecular levels, including those related to the cell cycle, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation. This review describes the available studies on resident kidney stem cells, their niches, morphology, possible markers, and the dynamics of their numbers during the aging process. The reasons for the age-related decline in renal regenerative potential are considered based on molecular and cellular mechanisms.