Stem cell-based treatment of kidney diseases. Issue 10 (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pan, Binbin; Fan, Guoping
• Is Part Of: Experimental biology and medicine. Volume 245:Issue 10(2020)
• Page Start: 902
• Page End: 910
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Cytokine therapy -- chronic kidney disease -- acute kidney injury -- mechanism -- kidney organoids; Physiology -- Periodicals; Biology, Experimental -- Periodicals; Medicine, Experimental -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1177/1535370220915901
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1535-3702

Abstract

Kidney dysfunction, including chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury, is a globally prevalent health problem. However, treatment regimens are still lacking, especially for conditions involving kidney fibrosis. Stem cells hold great promise in the treatment of chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury, but success has been hampered by insufficient incorporation of the stem cells in the injured kidney. Thus, new approaches for the restoration of kidney function after acute or chronic injury have been explored. Recently, kidney organoids have emerged as a useful tool in the treatment of kidney diseases. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms and approaches of cell therapy in acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease, including diabetic kidney disease and lupus nephritis. We also summarize the potential applications of kidney organoids in the treatment of kidney diseases. Impact statement: Stem cells hold great promise in regenerative medicine. Pluripotent stem cells have been differentiated into kidney organoids to understand human kidney development and to dissect renal disease mechanisms. Meanwhile, recent studies have explored the treatment of kidney diseases using a variety of cells, including mesenchymal stem cells and renal derivatives. This mini-review discusses the diverse mechanisms underlying current renal disease treatment via stem cell therapy. We postulate that clinical applications of stem cell therapy for kidney diseases can be readily achieved in the near future.