Isolation and characterization of resident mesenchymal stem cells in human glomeruli

We recently found that human glomeruli deprived of the Bowman's capsule contain a population of CD133(-)CD146(+) cells that coexpress the typical mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) markers (such as CD29, CD105, and CD73) and renal specific stem cell markers (such us CD24 and Pax2). This population exhibited in vitro self-renewal capability, clonogenicity, and multipotency. Beside to osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation, these cells when cultured in appropriate culture conditions were able to differentiate into endothelial cells, epithelial cells expressing podocytes markers, and mesangial cells. These populations may have a role in the physiological cell turnover and/or in the response to renal injury. Herein, we present a review of the experimental procedures used for isolation and characterize MSCs resident in human adult glomeruli.