Tubulogenesis from isolated single cells of adult mammalian kidney: clonal analysis with a recombinant retrovirus

Renal proximal tubule cells were isolated from adult rabbit and grown in cell culture. Cells were characterizing using two approaches, namely recombinant retrovirus and histological processing. Two conclusions were made: first, that adult renal proximal tubule cells have a high capacity to differentiate morphogenically into kidney tubules; second, that these cells have a high capacity for self-renewal following severe ischemic or toxic injury.