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Updated: Dec 26, 2025
Optimization of Renal Organoid and Organotypic Culture for Vascularization, Extended Development, and Improved Microscopy Imaging
Published on: March 28, 2020
Three-Dimensional Renal Organoids from Whole Kidney Cells: Generation, Optimization, and Potential Application in
Beichen Ding1,2, Guoliang Sun1, Shiliang Liu1
1Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, HB, China.
Abstract:
The kidney function of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is impaired irreversibly. Organ transplantation is the only treatment to restore kidney function in CKD patients. The assessment of new potential therapeutic procedures relies heavily on experimental animal models, but it is limited by its human predictive capacity. In addition, the frequently used two-dimensional in vitro human renal cell models cannot replicate all the features of the in vivo situation. In this study, we developed a three-dimensional (3D) in vitro human renal organoid model from whole kidney cells as a promising drug screening tool. At present, the renal tissue generated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) exhibits intrinsic tumorigenicity properties. Here we first developed a 3D renal organoid culture system that originated from adult differentiated cells without gene modification. Renal organoids composed of multiple cell types were created under optimal experimental conditions and evaluated for morphology, viability and erythropoietin production. As a novel screening tool for renal toxicity, 3D organoids were exposed to three widely used drugs: aspirin, penicillin G and cisplatin. The study results showed this 3D renal organoid model can be used as a drug screening tool, a new in vitro 3D human kidney model, and provide hope for potential regenerative therapies for CKD.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel 3D human renal organoid model from adult cells. This advanced kidney organoid system offers a promising tool for drug screening and potential regenerative therapies for chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
- Toxicology
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) involves irreversible kidney function impairment, with organ transplantation being the sole restorative treatment.
- Current experimental animal models and 2D in vitro human renal cell models have limitations in predicting human responses.
- Human pluripotent stem cell-derived renal tissues possess inherent tumorigenicity, posing a challenge for therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel three-dimensional (3D) in vitro human renal organoid model for drug screening.
- To create a kidney organoid system from adult differentiated cells without genetic modification, avoiding tumorigenicity.
- To evaluate the potential of this 3D renal organoid model as a tool for assessing drug toxicity and for regenerative therapies.
Main Methods:
- Development of a 3D in vitro renal organoid culture system using whole kidney cells from adult differentiated sources.
- Generation of renal organoids composed of multiple cell types under optimized conditions.
- Assessment of organoid morphology, viability, and erythropoietin production.
- Exposure of 3D renal organoids to aspirin, penicillin G, and cisplatin to evaluate their utility as a drug screening tool for renal toxicity.
Main Results:
- Successful creation of a 3D renal organoid model from adult differentiated cells without gene modification.
- Demonstrated morphology, viability, and erythropoietin production in the generated renal organoids.
- Validated the 3D renal organoid model's capability to serve as a screening tool for drug-induced renal toxicity.
Conclusions:
- The developed 3D in vitro human renal organoid model is a viable and promising tool for drug screening.
- This novel 3D kidney model offers an improved in vitro system compared to traditional methods.
- The 3D renal organoids provide hope for advancing regenerative therapies for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
