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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Microdissection of Primary Renal Tissue Segments and Incorporation with Novel Scaffold-free Construct Technology
Published on: March 27, 2018
Application of regenerative medicine for kidney diseases
Takashi Yokoo1, Akira Fukui, Eiji Kobayashi
1Division of Nephrology and Hypertension; Department of Internal Medicine; The Jikei University School of Medicine; Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Following recent advancements of stem cell research, the potential for organ regeneration using somatic stem cells as an ultimate therapy for organ failure has increased. However, anatomically complicated organs such as the kidney and liver have proven more refractory to stem cell-based regenerative techniques. At present, kidney regeneration is considered to require one of two approaches depending on the type of renal failure, namely acute renal failure (ARF) and chronic renal failure (CRF).The kidney has the potential to regenerate itself provided that the damage is not too severe and the kidney's structure remains intact. Regenerative medicine for ARF should therefore aim to activate or support this potent. In cases of the irreversible damage to the kidney, which is most likely in patients with CRF undergoing long-term dialysis, self-renewal is totally lost. Thus, regenerative medicine for CRF will likely involve the establishment of a functional whole kidney de novo. This article reviews the challenges and recent advances in both approaches and discusses the potential approach of these novel strategies for clinical application.
Insights
Stem cell research offers hope for organ regeneration, but complex organs like kidneys present challenges. Regenerative medicine strategies differ for acute renal failure (ARF) and chronic renal failure (CRF), aiming to support natural repair or create new kidneys.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Biology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Advancements in stem cell research highlight potential therapies for organ failure.
- Complex organs, including the kidney and liver, remain challenging for stem cell-based regeneration.
- Kidney regeneration approaches are categorized based on the type of renal failure: acute renal failure (ARF) and chronic renal failure (CRF).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current challenges and recent advancements in kidney regeneration.
- To discuss potential clinical applications of novel regenerative strategies for renal failure.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on stem cell-based kidney regeneration.
- Analysis of approaches for ARF and CRF, distinguishing between supporting endogenous repair and de novo kidney creation.
Main Results:
- Kidney regeneration potential is dependent on the severity of damage and structural integrity.
- ARF regeneration focuses on activating or supporting the kidney's intrinsic repair mechanisms.
- CRF regeneration necessitates the development of a functional whole kidney de novo due to irreversible damage.
Conclusions:
- Regenerative medicine offers distinct strategies for ARF and CRF, addressing different levels of kidney damage.
- The development of functional whole kidneys de novo is a key future direction for CRF treatment.
- Further research is needed to translate these novel strategies into successful clinical applications for kidney regeneration.
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