Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026
Renal Ischaemia Reperfusion Injury: A Mouse Model of Injury and Regeneration
Published on: June 7, 2014
Kidney Regeneration in Later-Stage Mouse Embryos via Transplanted Renal Progenitor Cells
Shuichiro Yamanaka1, Yatsumu Saito1, Toshinari Fujimoto1
1Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Background:
The limited availability of donor kidneys for transplantation has spurred interest in investigating alternative strategies, such as regenerating organs from stem cells transplanted into animal embryos. However, there is no known method for transplanting cells into later-stage embryos, which may be the most suitable host stages for organogenesis, particularly into regions useful for kidney regeneration.
Methods:
We demonstrated accurate transplantation of renal progenitor cells expressing green fluorescent protein to the fetal kidney development area by incising the opaque uterine muscle layer but not the transparent amniotic membrane. We allowed renal progenitor cell-transplanted fetuses to develop for 6 days postoperatively before removal for analysis. We also transplanted renal progenitor cells into conditional kidney-deficient mouse embryos. We determined growth and differentiation of transplanted cells in all cases.
Results:
Renal progenitor cell transplantation into the retroperitoneal cavity of fetuses at E13-E14 produced transplant-derived, vascularized glomeruli with filtration function and did not affect fetal growth or survival. Cells transplanted to the nephrogenic zone produced a chimera in the cap mesenchyme of donor and host nephron progenitor cells. Renal progenitor cells transplanted to conditional kidney-deficient fetuses induced the formation of a new nephron in the fetus that is connected to the host ureteric bud.
Conclusions:
We developed a cell transplantation method for midstage to late-stage fetuses. In vivo kidney regeneration from renal progenitor cells using the renal developmental environment of the fetus shows promise. Our findings suggest that fetal transplantation methods may contribute to organ regeneration and developmental research.
Insights
Researchers developed a new method to transplant renal progenitor cells into fetal mice, enabling kidney regeneration. This breakthrough offers hope for future organ regeneration strategies and developmental research.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Transplantation Science
Background:
- Limited donor kidney availability drives research into alternative strategies like stem cell-based organ regeneration.
- Existing methods lack techniques for transplanting cells into later-stage embryos suitable for organogenesis.
- Targeting specific fetal regions for kidney regeneration remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for transplanting renal progenitor cells into mid-to-late stage fetal mice.
- To investigate the potential for in vivo kidney regeneration using fetal transplantation.
- To assess the growth and differentiation of transplanted renal progenitor cells within the fetal environment.
Main Methods:
- Developed a surgical technique to transplant renal progenitor cells into the fetal kidney development area of E13-E14 mouse fetuses.
- Successfully incised the uterine muscle layer while preserving the amniotic membrane for cell delivery.
- Transplanted cells into the retroperitoneal cavity and nephrogenic zone, as well as into conditional kidney-deficient mouse embryos.
Main Results:
- Transplanted renal progenitor cells formed vascularized glomeruli with filtration capabilities in recipient fetuses.
- Cell transplantation did not impede fetal growth or survival.
- Engrafted cells integrated into the host's developing kidney structures, forming chimeric nephrons and inducing new nephron formation connected to the ureteric bud.
Conclusions:
- A novel cell transplantation method for mid-to-late stage fetuses was successfully established.
- In vivo kidney regeneration is feasible within the fetal developmental environment.
- Fetal transplantation techniques hold significant potential for advancing organ regeneration and developmental biology research.
