Renovascular Disease and Its Impact on Endogenous Kidney Repair: Stem/Progenitor Cells

Background: Renovascular disease (RVD), a progressive condition characterized by narrowing or occlusion of the renal arteries, is an important cause of secondary hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in older adults, associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent evidence suggests that RVD compromises renal repair by impairing complementary vascular, stromal, and tubular repair systems, including endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), and tubular regenerative pathways.