Current advances of stem cell-based therapy for kidney diseases

Abstract

Kidney diseases are a prevalent health problem around the world. Multidrug therapy used in the current routine treatment for kidney diseases can only delay disease progression. None of these drugs or treatments can reverse the progression to an end-stage of the disease. Therefore, it is crucial to explore novel therapeutics to improve patients’ quality of life and possibly cure, reverse, or alleviate the kidney disease. Stem cells have promising potentials as a form of regenerative medicine for kidney diseases due to their unlimited replication and their ability to differentiate into kidney cells in vitro . Mounting evidences from the administration of stem cells in an experimental kidney disease model suggested that stem cell-based therapy has therapeutic or renoprotective effects to attenuate kidney damage while improving the function and structure of both glomerular and tubular compartments. This review summarises the current stem cell-based therapeutic approaches to treat kidney diseases, including the various cell sources, animal models or in vitro studies. The challenges of progressing from proof-of-principle in the laboratory to widespread clinical application and the human clinical trial outcomes reported to date are also highlighted. The success of cell-based therapy could widen the scope of regenerative medicine in the future.

Still Finding Ways to Augment the Existing Management of Acute and Chronic Kidney Diseases with Targeted Gene and Cell Therapies: Opportunities and Hurdles

“…About a third of the studies investigated the preventive benefits of such therapies, while half of the studies focused on their therapeutic benefits. For instance, in AKI animal models, mesenchymal stem cells improved renal function [55][56][57]. Even though the specific mechanisms of action are still under investigation, these cells helped reduce renal fibrosis, improve remodeling, and promote neoangiogenesis [58].…”

Regeneration and Diagnosis of Kidney Disease Using Exosomes

“…Over the last few decades, many studies have shown that transplanting stem cells to patients with kidney disease improves their kidney function (11). Among all stem cell types, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been identified as one of the most effective cell types for inducing kidney regeneration due to their ease of isolation and expansion and lack of teratoma risk, immunosuppressive properties, and absence of ethical problems (12,13).…”

Mesenchymal stem cells: A new therapeutic tool for chronic kidney disease

“…Complications of CKD have a major impact on the quality of life of patients and can increase the risk of mortality ( Webster et al, 2017 ). According to Global Burden Assessment Report, the number of people dying of CKD has increased in recent years ( Xie et al, 2018 ; Wong, 2021 ). The prevalence of CKD is rising as the incidences of the main risk factors for CKD, including DM and hypertension, are sharply increasing, leading to a rising prevalence of CKD.…”