AMNIOTIC FLUID RENAL PROGENITORS AND RENAL EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX: A NEW APPROACH FOR KIDNEY REGENERATION

• Published in: International journal of artificial organs 2014-01, Vol.37 (8), p.600-600
• Main Authors: Zanusso, I, Da Sacco, S, Leslie, S, Petrosyan, A, Lemley, K V, Conconi, M T, Perin, L, De Filippo, R E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cells (biology); Electrochemical machining; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Fluids; Kidneys; Regeneration; Scaffolds
• ISSN: 0391-3988
• DOI: 10.5301/ijao.5000346

Aim: Renal congenital abnormalities still remain a significant contributing factor for chronic kidney disease. Current treatments aimed at slowing progression of the disease are insufficient and often dialysis and/or transplantation becomes necessary. Combination of a natural or biodegradable scaffold with cells could be a new approach to discover alternative tools for replacing significantly impaired or non-functional kidney tissues. Our laboratory has previously reported that human amniotic fluid (AF) is a source of renal progenitor cells. Methods: A subpopulation of renal progenitor cells expressing were isolated from AF. Using a detergent-enzymatic method, we decellularized whole mouse kidney extracellular matrix (ECM) that was seeded with renal progenitor cells, implanted into the kidney of nude mice, and harvested for characterization. Results: One month after surgery, implanted ECM showed angiogenesis and formation of renal tubular-like structures. In addition to formation of 3D renal structures in the scaffolds, cells positive for markers associated with essential renal cell types, such as mesangial, podocytes and tubular cells were detected. Conclusions: These results suggest that AF renal progenitor cells seeded into renal ECM could represent a unique investigational approach for kidney regeneration that may be used to augment or replace damaged or compromised kidney tissue from either congenital or chronic disease.