Erythropoietin Producing Cells for the Treatment of Renal Failure Induced Anemia

Abstract

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.