Scheme representative of the possible stem cell origin of renal CSCs. Mutations/epigenetic alterations of the renal embryonic stem cells may originate the pediatric malignancy Wilm’s tumor. The different histologic types of renal carcinomas of the adult may derive from mutations occurring in the stem cell compartment of the adult kidney. The lack of CD133+ marker in renal CSCs may support the idea of an origin from a yet unidentified mesenchymal population, which is ahead of CD133+ renal progenitors in the differentiation linage. Alternatively, a process of de-differentiation of renal progenitors or mature cells could be involved.
