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Updated: May 31, 2026
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A Simplified Method for Generating Kidney Organoids from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Published on: April 13, 2021
Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Macrophages Modify Development of Human Kidney Organoids: A Preliminary Study
Filipa M Lopes1, Ioannis Bantounas2, Alexandra Sarov2
1Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, and the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK, filipa.lopes-2@manchester.ac.uk.
Nephron
|May 28, 2026
Summary
Adding human pluripotent stem cell-derived macrophages to kidney organoids can influence nephrogenesis. Macrophages at 5% enhanced glomerular development, while 20% disrupted organoid growth, suggesting a dose-dependent effect on kidney development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Immunology
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Human fetal kidneys contain macrophages crucial for development and implicated in kidney diseases.
- Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived kidney organoids model nephrogenesis but lack macrophages.
- Understanding macrophage roles in kidney development is vital for regenerative medicine and disease modeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of incorporating hPSC-derived macrophages into hPSC-derived kidney organoids.
- To determine if macrophages influence nephrogenesis and glomerular development within these organoids.
- To explore the dose-dependent effects of macrophages on kidney organoid growth and structure.
Main Methods:
- hPSC-derived macrophages were added at varying percentages (1%, 5%, 20%) to hPSC-derived kidney precursors.
- Immunohistochemistry (CD68, CD31/PECAM-1, synaptopodin, nephrin) was used to assess macrophage integration and organoid development.
- Macrophage distribution and effects on nephron structure, including glomerular markers, were quantified.
Main Results:
- Macrophages successfully integrated into kidney organoids, localizing between tubules and near endothelia.
- A 5% concentration of added macrophages correlated with increased glomerular marker expression (synaptopodin, nephrin).
- Higher macrophage concentrations (20%) led to disrupted organoid growth, indicating a detrimental effect.
Conclusions:
- It is feasible to populate hPSC-derived kidney organoids with hPSC-derived macrophages.
- The quantity of macrophages influences kidney organoid development, with potential benefits at 5% and harm at 20%.
- These findings support a role for macrophages in both normal and abnormal human kidney development, warranting further mechanistic studies.
