The primary cilium is a sensory, solitary, non-motile microtubule-based structure that in the quiescent phase of the cell cycle projects from the surface of the majority of human cells, including luminal surface of renal tubular epithelial cells. Disorders of primary cilia of renal tubular epithelial cells are associated with polycystic kidney disease and nephronophthisis.
The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the current knowledge on the primary cilia of renal tubular epithelial cells.