Stem cell-based treatment of kidney diseases

Abstract

Kidney dysfunction, including chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury, is a globally prevalent health problem. However, treatment regimens are still lacking, especially for conditions involving kidney fibrosis. Stem cells hold great promise in the treatment of chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury, but success has been hampered by insufficient incorporation of the stem cells in the injured kidney. Thus, new approaches for the restoration of kidney function after acute or chronic injury have been explored. Recently, kidney organoids have emerged as a useful tool in the treatment of kidney diseases. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms and approaches of cell therapy in acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease, including diabetic kidney disease and lupus nephritis. We also summarize the potential applications of kidney organoids in the treatment of kidney diseases. Impact statement Stem cells hold great promise in regenerative medicine. Pluripotent stem cells have been differentiated into kidney organoids to understand human kidney development and to dissect renal disease mechanisms. Meanwhile, recent studies have explored the treatment of kidney diseases using a variety of cells, including mesenchymal stem cells and renal derivatives. This mini-review discusses the diverse mechanisms underlying current renal disease treatment via stem cell therapy. We postulate that clinical applications of stem cell therapy for kidney diseases can be readily achieved in the near future.

Strategies for vascularization in kidney organoids

“…We previously transplanted kidney organoids derived from iPSCs into mouse kidneys [39]. We also observed some vascularization of podocytes and maturation in tubules in our grafts, similar to previous studies [39].…”

“…We previously transplanted kidney organoids derived from iPSCs into mouse kidneys [39]. We also observed some vascularization of podocytes and maturation in tubules in our grafts, similar to previous studies [39]. We observed human endothelial cells derived from the transplanted kidney organoids, but the proportion of endothelial cells in the graft was small.…”

“…Despite the vascularization of kidney organoids, immaturity-related concerns remain. Podocytes do not appear to form fully mature foot processes, and instead are decorated by apical microvilli, which are distinct structures [39]. The lack of fully mature features, such as aquaporin-1 expression, compared to neighboring mouse kidney tissue also gives rise to concerns related to immaturity concerns despite the vascularization after transplantation [39].…”

Immune responses in diabetic nephropathy: Pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic target

“…Stem cells are a class of cells that have the ability to renew themselves indefinitely and differentiate into multiple cell lineages ( 229 ). Stem cells can be classified according to their differentiation capability: (1) pluripotent stem cells; (2) multipotent stem cells; (3) unipotent stem cells ( 230 ).…”

Role of macrophages in cardiorenal syndrome development in patients with myocardial infarction

“…Однако отсутствие гипертрофии ПЕРЕДОВАЯ СТАТЬЯ ОБЗОР ЛИТЕРАТУРЫ и фиброза у этих мышей, вероятно, указывает на то, что для активации РААС-индуцированного ЛЖР был необходим определенный порог плазменного уровня GM-CSF [46]. Данное утверждение, однако, не подкреплено результатами in vivo у человека и требует дальнейшего изучения [47,48]. Белки S100A8 и S100A9 стимулируют экспрессию TNF почечными мф, который, в свою очередь, индуцирует секрецию гранулоцитарно-макрофагального колониестимулирующего фактора (GM-CSF) эндотелием подоцитов.…”