These results demonstrate that EPO-producing renal cells can be grown and expanded in culture. The cells stably expressed EPO at multiple subculture stages and they are able to form tissue in vivo. This study shows that EPO-producing cells may be used as a potential treatment option for anemia caused by chronic renal failure.

Objective: To assess the integration of decellularized heterologous collagen matrices into the urethra, when implanted with no cells or when seeded with autologous smooth muscle cells. Materials and Methods: Eighteen New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned to two groups: Group I (n = 9) -animals undergoing urethral segment resection with interposition of a patch of heterologous collagen matrix seeded with autologous smooth muscle cells; Group II (n = 9) -animals undergoing resection of a urethral segment with interposition of a decellularized heterologous collagen matrix patch. Two animals from each group were sacrificed on postoperative days seven, fourteen and twenty-eight; three animals from each group were sacrificed at the end of three postoperative months. At the end of the third month one animal from each group underwent urethroscopy for urethral integrity assessment and one animal from each group had its microcirculation image captured by a SDF device (Side-stream Dark Field -Microscan Analysis Software). One animal from each group in each euthanasia period underwent cystourethrography so as the urethra could be viewed at flow time. The matrices integration was assessed through histological examination using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson trichrome (MT), Picrosirius red and Von Willebrand staining. In a blind study with two pathologists all the slides were studied. Results: The matrices whether seeded or not with autologous muscle cells were able to restore the architecture of the urethra, but were eliminated from the first week on, before incorporation. Microcirculation of the neourethra, at the end of the third month, showed the same characteristics as a normal urethra in both groups of animals. Conclusion: Natural heterologous matrices implanted in the urethra as onlay graft were not incorporated into its walls but were able to fully restore the cell architecture of the organ, regardless of being seeded or not with autologous muscle cells.

IntroductionAnemia is an outcome of chronic renal failure due to the kidney's decreased ability to produce erythropoietin (EPO). We investigated whether supplementation of erythropoietin producing cells would be a possible treatment option for renal failure induced anemia.Materials and MethodsMice renal cells were culture expanded and characterized for EPO expression. The levels of EPO production was measured in the cells grown under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Renal cells mixed in collagen gel were implanted subcutaneously in athymic mice followed by retrieval at 14 and 28 days after implantation for analyses.Results and DiscussionThe cultured renal cells expressed EPO at each subculture stage. Western Blots detected EPO protein in the kidney cells of all passages tested. ELISA Assay showed that the renal cells grown under hypoxic condition produced EPO. Histologically, the retrieved implants showed cell survival and tissue formation in vivo. Presence of EPO producing cells were confirmed using EPO specific antibodies.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that EPO producing renal cells can be grown, stably express EPO in culture, and are able to form tissue in vivo. This study shows that EPO producing cells may be used as a potential treatment option for anemia caused by chronic renal failure.