Stem cells in nephrology: present status and future

Stem cell biology is currently developing rapidly because of the potential therapeutic utility of stem cells. The ability to acquire any desired phenotype raises hope for regenerative therapies. Manipulation of these cells is a potentially valuable tool; however, the mechanisms of stem cell differen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis 2006-01, Vol.54 (1), p.45-50
Main Authors: Watorek, Ewa, Klinger, Marian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allografts
Autografts
Bone marrow
Bone marrow transplantation
Bone Marrow Transplantation - trends
Cell culture
Cell differentiation
Clinical Trials as Topic
Fetuses
Glomerulonephritis, IGA - therapy
Graft rejection
Hematopoietic stem cells
Hematopoietic Stem Cells - cytology
Humans
Kidney - cytology
Kidney - physiology
Kidney diseases
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - therapy
Mesenchyme
Nephrology
Nephrons
Phenotypes
Progenitor cells
Regeneration
Stem cell transplantation
Stem Cell Transplantation - trends
Stem cells
Stem Cells - cytology
Stem Cells - pathology
Transplants & implants
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Summary:Stem cell biology is currently developing rapidly because of the potential therapeutic utility of stem cells. The ability to acquire any desired phenotype raises hope for regenerative therapies. Manipulation of these cells is a potentially valuable tool; however, the mechanisms of stem cell differentiation and plasticity are currently beyond our control. In the field of nephrology, the presence of adult kidney stem cells has been debated. Renal adult stem cells may be descendants of some early kidney progenitors, or may be derived from bone marrow. Evidence of a hematopoietic stem-cell contribution to renal repair encourages the possibility of bone marrow or stem cell transplantation as a means of treating autoimmune glomerulopathies. The transplantation of fetal kidney tissue containing renal progenitors, which then develop into functional nephrons, is a step towards renal regeneration. According to recent reports, the development of functional nephrons from human mesenchymal stem cells in rodent whole-embryo culture is possible. Establishing in vitro self organs from autologous stem cells would be a promising therapeutic solution in light of the shortage of allogenic organs and the unresolved problem of chronic allograft rejection.
ISSN:0004-069X
1661-4917
DOI:10.1007/s00005-006-0004-4