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Protocol to Generate Ureteric Bud Structures from Human iPS Cells
Shin-Ichi Mae1, Makoto Ryosaka1, Kenji Osafune2
1Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|February 12, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed an efficient method to generate ureteric bud (UB)-like structures from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). This breakthrough offers a new cell source for studying kidney development and disease.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Ureteric bud (UB) cells are renal progenitors crucial for kidney and lower urinary tract development.
- Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) offer a potential source for generating specific cell types for research.
- Efficient differentiation protocols are needed to harness hiPSCs for studying kidney development and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a stepwise and efficient method for differentiating hiPSCs into Wolffian duct (WD) cells.
- To generate three-dimensional (3D) WD epithelial structures capable of differentiating into UB-like structures.
- To provide a novel cell source for investigating UB development and kidney pathologies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a two-dimensional (2D) differentiation strategy to guide hiPSCs towards a WD cell fate.
- Developed protocols for assembling differentiated WD cells into 3D epithelial structures.
- Assessed the differentiation potential of these 3D structures towards UB-like cells.
Main Results:
- Successfully achieved stepwise and efficient differentiation of hiPSCs into WD cells.
- Generated functional 3D WD epithelial structures in vitro.
- Demonstrated that these 3D structures can differentiate into UB-like structures.
Conclusions:
- The described 2D differentiation method provides an efficient route to generate WD cells from hiPSCs.
- The 3D WD epithelial structures represent a valuable model for studying UB development.
- This approach offers a promising cell-based platform for kidney disease research.
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