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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

A Novel Clinical Grade Isolation Method for Human Kidney Perivascular Stromal Cells
Published on: August 7, 2017
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for chronic renal failure
Soo Jeong Choi1, Jin Kuk Kim, Seung Duk Hwang
1Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Internal Medicine, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Republic of Korea.
Importance Of The Field:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a worldwide public health problem. Renal transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease, but is limited by a small number of organ donors and the immune barrier. To overcome these problems, new therapeutic strategies for tissue repair have recently emerged.
Areas Covered In This Review:
We discuss the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in kidney injury and examine the latest reports providing evidence supporting MSC efficacy in the treatment of chronic renal failure (CRF).
What The Reader Will Gain:
MSCs improve histological and functional outcomes in various CRF model systems. Paracrine effects rather than transdifferentiation might result in the prevention of progressive renal failure. In addition, MSCs can reprogram kidney cell differentiation, and modulate neo-kidney transplantation in CRF.
Take Home Message:
Although many practical problems remain to be addressed, treatment with MSCs will enter the mainstream of CRF treatment.
Insights
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise for treating chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chronic renal failure (CRF). MSC therapy may improve kidney function and repair, offering a potential mainstream treatment despite current challenges.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Therapy
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health issue.
- Renal transplantation is limited by donor scarcity and immune rejection.
- Novel tissue repair strategies are emerging for kidney disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for kidney injury.
- To examine evidence for MSC efficacy in treating chronic renal failure (CRF).
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on MSCs in kidney injury models.
- Analysis of studies investigating MSC effects in chronic renal failure.
Main Results:
- MSCs enhance histological and functional outcomes in CRF models.
- Paracrine mechanisms, not just transdifferentiation, contribute to preventing renal failure progression.
- MSCs can reprogram kidney cell differentiation and aid kidney transplantation in CRF.
Conclusions:
- MSC treatment shows significant therapeutic potential for CRF.
- Despite remaining challenges, MSCs are poised to become a mainstream CRF therapy.
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