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Updated: Sep 28, 2025

Epithelial Cell Repopulation and Preparation of Rodent Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds for Renal Tissue Development
Published on: August 10, 2015
d-Serine Mediates Cellular Proliferation for Kidney Remodeling
Atsushi Hesaka1,2,3, Yusuke Tsukamoto1,2, Shigeyuki Nada4
1KAGAMI Project, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition.
Background:
d-serine, a long-term undetected enantiomer of serine, is a biomarker that reflects kidney function and disease activity. The physiologic functions of d-serine are unclear.
Methods:
The dynamics of d-serine were assessed by measuring d-serine in human samples of living kidney donors using two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography, and by autoradiographic studies in mice. The effects of d-serine on the kidney were examined by gene expression profiling and metabolic studies using unilateral nephrectomy mice, and genetically modified cells.
Results:
Unilateral nephrectomy in human living kidney donors decreases urinary excretion and thus increases the blood level of d-serine. d-serine is quickly and dominantly distributed to the kidney on injection in mice, suggesting the kidney is a main target organ. Treatment of d-serine at a low dose promotes the enlargement of remnant kidney in mouse model. Mechanistically, d-serine activates the cell cycle for tissue remodeling through an mTOR-related pathway.
Conclusions:
d-serine is a physiologic molecule that promotes kidney remodeling. Besides its function as a biomarker, d-serine has a physiologic activity that influences kidney function.
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