Volume 14 Issue 8, August 2018

Technologies such as proteomics provide a snapshot of a specific cellular state but are unable to directly record successive signalling events. Two new CRISPR-mediated analogue multi-event recording apparatus (CAMERA) systems enable sequential recording of endogenous and exogenous signalling events by targeted DNA modifications, thereby allowing systematic interrogation of different cellular states.

Technological advances are providing unprecedented opportunities to analyse biological systems at the single-cell level. This Review describes the fundamental concepts of single-cell RNA analysis and specific applications of the technology for the study of development, cancer and normal and diseased kidneys.

Mesenchymal stem or stromal cells (MSCs) have attracted much attention for their ability to regulate inflammatory processes. Here, Shi et al. discuss current understanding of the immunomodulatory mechanisms of MSCs and issues related to their therapeutic application.

Kidney transplant recipients have an increased risk of developing de novo or recurrent cancer compared with age-matched and gender-matched individuals from the general population. Here, Au et al. describe the epidemiology and outcomes of cancers in transplant recipients and discuss approaches to reduce cancer prevalence as well as post-transplantation cancer management, including approaches for modulating immunosuppression.

Renal pericytes have important roles in kidney development, blood pressure regulation and the pathogenesis of kidney disease. Here, the authors review the embryonic development, adult tissue distribution and physiological and pathological roles of the various pericyte subsets in the kidney.