Current strategies on kidney regeneration using tissue engineering approaches: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Biomaterials Science
• Organ Engineering

Background:

• Rising incidence of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) necessitates novel renal replacement therapies beyond dialysis and transplantation.
• Tissue engineering offers a promising avenue for developing bioengineered kidneys, addressing donor scarcity and transplant complications.
• Decellularized organs and regenerative medicine represent a cutting-edge field with significant potential for organ repair and replacement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review preclinical data for kidney tissue engineering research.
• To identify key parameters for successful translation from laboratory to clinical practice.
• To evaluate the current state of research in bioengineered kidney development.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed without linguistic restrictions.
• Focused assessment on complete circumferential and inlay procedures.
• Evaluation of critical parameters: cell seeding, decellularization, recellularization, and biomaterials.

Main Results:

• 105 studies were included from 1,484 retrieved, utilizing kidneys from eight species.
• Both whole organ and discarded human kidney decellularization were performed, alongside scaffold creation (hydrogels, sheets, solutions).
• Decellularization methods (physical, chemical, enzymatic) and scaffold sterilization were evaluated, alongside various recellularization protocols and cell types.

Conclusions:

• Preclinical investigations in kidney tissue engineering are advancing regenerative medicine.
• Enhancements in preclinical study design are essential for successful clinical translation of tissue engineering technologies.
• Further research is needed to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and clinical applications for bioengineered kidneys.