Open AccessInjection of hybrid 3D spheroids composed of podocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and vascular endothelial cells into the renal cortex improves kidney function and replenishes glomerular podocytes
Author(s) -
Yang WenYu,
Chen LiChi,
Jhuang YaTing,
Lin YuJie,
Hung PeiYu,
Ko YiChing,
Tsai MengYu,
Lee YunWei,
Hsu LiWen,
Yeh ChihKuang,
Hsu HsiangHao,
Huang ChiehCheng
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
bioengineering and translational medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2380-6761
DOI - 10.1002/btm2.10212
Subject(s) - podocyte , mesenchymal stem cell , transplantation , kidney , glomerulus , microbiology and biotechnology , renal stem cell , biology , cancer research , glomerular basement membrane , stem cell , medicine , endocrinology , glomerulonephritis , proteinuria , progenitor cell
Abstract Podocytes are highly differentiated epithelial cells that are crucial for maintaining the glomerular filtration barrier in the kidney. Podocyte injury followed by depletion is the major cause of pathological progression of kidney diseases. Although cell therapy has been considered a promising alternative approach to kidney transplantation for the treatment of kidney injury, the resultant therapeutic efficacy in terms of improved renal function is limited, possibly owing to significant loss of engrafted cells. Herein, hybrid three‐dimensional (3D) cell spheroids composed of podocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and vascular endothelial cells were designed to mimic the glomerular microenvironment and as a cell delivery vehicle to replenish the podocyte population by cell transplantation. After creating a native glomerulus‐like condition, the expression of multiple genes encoding growth factors and basement membrane factors that are strongly associated with podocyte maturation and functionality was significantly enhanced. Our in vivo results demonstrated that intrarenal transplantation of podocytes in the form of hybrid 3D cell spheroids improved engraftment efficiency and replenished glomerular podocytes. Moreover, the proteinuria of the experimental mice with hypertensive nephropathy was effectively reduced. These data clearly demonstrated the potential of hybrid 3D cell spheroids for repairing injured kidneys.