Organogenesis forum lecture: In vitro kidney development, tissue engineering and systems biology

Sanjay K Nigam1, Wei Wu, Kevin T Bush

  • 1Department of Medicine, School of Medicine; University of California; San Diego, La Jolla, California USA.

Organogenesis
|March 13, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Kidney transplantation is optimal for end-stage renal disease, but donor organs are scarce. Bioengineering kidney-like tissue from cells offers a promising alternative for future transplantation needs.

Area of Science:

  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Developmental Biology
  • Bioengineering

Background:

  • End-stage renal disease (ESRD) prevalence is increasing, necessitating advanced treatments.
  • Kidney transplantation is the optimal therapy for ESRD, but donor organ shortage is a critical limitation.
  • Current donor organ availability cannot meet the growing demand for kidney replacement therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential of bioengineering kidney-like tissue for allograft transplantation.
  • To investigate the feasibility of using in vitro systems modeling kidney development for tissue engineering.
  • To discuss pathway-based systems biology approaches for understanding kidney development mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Recombination of in vitro culture systems modeling discrete aspects of kidney development.
  • Utilizing isolated components such as whole embryonic kidney (WD), ureteric bud (UB), and metanephric mesenchyme (MM).
  • Employing pathway-based systems biology approaches for mechanistic insights.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated the possibility of implanting bioengineered kidney-like tissue.
  • Provided strong evidence for the viability of tissue engineering strategies based on developmental concepts.
  • Highlighted the potential of xeno-based tissue engineering for kidney regeneration.

Conclusions:

  • Bioengineering kidney-like tissue from developmental models is a feasible strategy.
  • This approach offers a potential solution to the donor organ shortage for kidney transplantation.
  • Further research into xeno-based tissue engineering holds promise for future regenerative therapies.

Related Concept Videos

Kidney Structure01:45

Kidney Structure

The kidneys are two large bean-shaped organs located in the upper abdomen. They filter the blood several times a day to remove toxins and rebalance water and electrolytes of the circulatory system via the renal veins. The kidneys receive blood directly from the heart via the renal arteries. These arteries enter the kidney at the hilum, the concave surface of the bean, where they branch and divide into smaller vessels and capillaries.
Internal Anatomy of the Kidney01:12

Internal Anatomy of the Kidney

The kidneys are essential organs in the human body, performing a myriad of tasks that maintain homeostasis and overall health.
Anatomical Position and Dimensions
The kidneys are retroperitoneal organs positioned against the posterior abdominal wall on either side of the spine, roughly between the twelfth thoracic and third lumbar vertebrae. Each kidney is typically 10-12 cm long, 5-6 cm wide, and 3-4 cm thick, weighing about 150 grams.
Renal Cortex
The outermost region of the kidney is the...
External Anatomy of the Kidney01:21

External Anatomy of the Kidney

The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs in the human body that play a critical role in maintaining overall health. They filter out waste products from the blood, regulate blood pressure, maintain electrolyte balance, and stimulate the production of red blood cells.
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Kidney Transplant I: Introduction01:28

Kidney Transplant I: Introduction

A kidney transplant is a surgical approach that involves replacing a non-functioning kidney with a healthy one from a donor. This procedure is often a treatment option for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The method requires careful recipient selection, including evaluating various medical and psychosocial factors. These criteria vary between transplant centers but generally include assessments of the patient's overall health, adherence to medical recommendations, and lifestyle...