Regenerative medicine therapies: lessons from the kidney. Issue 14 (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Davies, Jamie A; Murray, Patricia; Wilm, Bettina
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in physiology. Issue 14(2020)
• Page Start: 41
• Page End: 47
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Physiology -- Periodicals; Physiological Phenomena; Periodical; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 571
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2019.12.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-8673

Abstract

Abstract : We focus on three strategies for renal regenerative medicine; administering cells to replace damaged tissue, promoting endogenous regeneration, and growing stem cell-derived organs. Mouse kidney regeneration can be promoted by stem cells injected into the circulation which do not become new kidney tissue but seem to secrete regeneration-promoting humoral factors. This argues against direct replacement but encourages developing pharmacological stimulators of endogenous regeneration. Simple 'kidneys' have been made from stem cells, but there is a large gap between what has been achieved and a useful transplantable organ. Most current work aims to stimulate endogenous regeneration or to grow new organs but much remains to be done; misplaced hype about short-term prospects of regenerative medicine helps neither researchers nor patients.