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Microdissection of Primary Renal Tissue Segments and Incorporation with Novel Scaffold-free Construct Technology
Published on: March 27, 2018
Kidney Bioengineering for Transplantation
Yutaro Ibi1, Ryuichi Nishinakamura
1Department of Kidney Development, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
Abstract:
The kidney is an important organ for maintenance of homeostasis in the human body. As renal failure progresses, renal replacement therapy becomes necessary. However, there is a chronic shortage of kidney donors, creating a major problem for transplantation. To solve this problem, many strategies for the generation of transplantable kidneys are under investigation. Since the first reports describing that nephron progenitors could be induced from human induced pluripotent stem cells, kidney organoids have been attracting attention as tools for studying human kidney development and diseases. Because the kidney is formed through the interactions of multiple renal progenitors, current studies are investigating ways to combine these progenitors derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells for the generation of transplantable kidney organoids. Other bioengineering strategies, such as decellularization and recellularization of scaffolds, 3-dimensional bioprinting, interspecies blastocyst complementation and progenitor replacement, and xenotransplantation, also have the potential to generate whole kidneys, although each of these strategies has its own challenges. Combinations of these approaches will lead to the generation of bioengineered kidneys that are transplantable into humans.
Insights
Generating transplantable kidneys is crucial due to donor shortages. Researchers are exploring bioengineering strategies, including stem cell-derived kidney organoids and other advanced methods, to create viable organs for transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Bioengineering
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Kidney failure necessitates renal replacement therapy, but donor organs are scarce.
- Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) offer a promising source for generating kidney cells.
- Kidney organoids derived from hiPSCs are valuable for studying kidney development and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate strategies for generating transplantable bioengineered kidneys.
- To explore the potential of combining different renal progenitor sources for kidney organoid generation.
- To review various bioengineering approaches for whole kidney generation.
Main Methods:
- Induction of nephron progenitors from hiPSCs.
- Generation of kidney organoids through progenitor combination.
- Review of bioengineering strategies: decellularization/recellularization, 3D bioprinting, blastocyst complementation, progenitor replacement, and xenotransplantation.
Main Results:
- hiPSC-derived kidney organoids show potential for studying kidney development and disease.
- Combining multiple renal progenitors is a key strategy for advanced organoid development.
- Various bioengineering techniques hold promise for creating whole kidneys, each with unique challenges.
Conclusions:
- Combining multiple bioengineering strategies is likely necessary for generating transplantable human kidneys.
- Advancements in stem cell technology and bioengineering are paving the way for future kidney therapies.
- Addressing the donor organ shortage through bioengineered kidneys is a critical goal in transplantation medicine.
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