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A Simplified Method for Generating Kidney Organoids from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
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A Simplified Method for Generating Kidney Organoids from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: April 13, 2021

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Human kidney organoids: progress and remaining challenges

Ryuichi Nishinakamura1

  • 1Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan. ryuichi@kumamoto-u.ac.jp.

Nature Reviews. Nephrology
|August 7, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Kidney organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells model kidney diseases. Further research is needed to mature these organoids for potential transplantation.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Stem Cell Biology

Background:

  • Kidney organoids are valuable tools for studying human kidney development and disease.
  • Recent advances include modeling glomerular and tubular diseases and identifying cell types via single-cell RNA sequencing.
  • Organoids currently exhibit immature cell types compared to in vivo human kidney cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the progress and challenges in developing kidney organoids.
  • To highlight advancements in cell type induction and organoid complexity.
  • To discuss the future directions for generating more mature and functional kidney structures.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing human pluripotent stem cells to generate kidney organoids.
  • Employing single-cell RNA sequencing for cell type identification and characterization.
  • Developing protocols for in vitro expansion and lineage-specific induction of kidney cells.

Main Results:

  • Kidney organoids successfully model various kidney diseases.
  • Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals cell types similar but immature to in vivo counterparts.
  • Protocols for inducing nephron progenitor cells (NPCs) and ureteric buds have been established.

Conclusions:

  • Kidney organoid technology has advanced significantly for disease modeling.
  • Maturation and achieving in vivo-like complexity remain key challenges.
  • Generating transplantable, organotypic kidney structures is an ongoing goal.

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