Some scientists have
successfully produced human kidney tissue within a living organism which is
able to produce urine, a first for medical science, reports ITRealms.
The study led by
Professors Sue Kimber and Adrian Woolf from The University of Manchester,
signifies a significant milestone in the development of treatment for kidney
disease.
ITRealms also reports that the Medical
Research Council and Kidney Research United Kingdom (UK) funded project is
published in the journal Stem Cell Reports.
They explained that
kidney glomeruli constituent microscopic parts of the organ- were generated
from human embryonic stem cells grown in plastic laboratory culture dishes
containing a nutrient broth known as culture medium, containing
molecules to promote kidney development.
Equally, they were
combined with a gel like substance, which acted as natural connective tissue -
and then injected as a tiny clump under the skin of mice.
After three months, an
examination of the tissue revealed that nephrons:the microscopic
structural and functional units of the kidney - had formed.
The new structures
contained most of the constituent parts present in human nephrons - including
proximal tubules, distal tubules, Bowman’s capsule and Loop of Henle.
Tiny human blood
vessels – known as capillaries- had developed inside the mice which nourished
the new kidney structures.
However, the
mini-kidneys lack a large artery, and without that the organ’s function will
only be a fraction of normal.
So, the researchers
are working with surgeons to put in an artery that will bring more blood the
new kidney.
To test the
functionality of the new structures, the team used Dextran -
a fluorescent protein which stains the urine-like substance
produced when nephrons filter the blood, called glomerular filtrate.
The Dextran was
tracked and detected in the new structures’ tubules, demonstrating that
filtrate was indeed being produced and excreted as urine.
“We have proved beyond
any doubt these structures function as kidney cells by filtering blood and
producing urine - though we can’t yet say what percentage of function exists,”
said Professor Kimber.
“What is particularly
exciting is that the structures are made of human cells which developed an
excellent capillary blood supply, becoming linked to the vasculature of the
mouse.
“Though this structure
was formed from several hundred glomeruli, and humans have about a million in
their kidneys - this is clearly a major advance.
“It constitutes a
proof of principle- but much work is yet to be done.”
The University of
Manchester’s School of Biological Sciences and Manchester
Regenerative Medicine Network (MaRM) as well as Kidneys
for life have also supported the work.
Professor Woolf, who
is also Consultant in Paediatric Nephrology at Royal Manchester
Children’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“Worldwide, two million people are being treated with dialysis or
transplantation for kidney failure, and sadly another two million die each
year, unable to access these treatments.
"So we are
tremendously excited by this discovery - we feel it is a big research milestone
which may one day help patients.
“However, there is
much more to learn: Building on our generation of kidney filtration units we
must now turn to developing an exit route for the urine and a way to deliver
this technology to diseased kidneys.
"The work was
also helped by a small grant from the hospital’s local kidney charity called
“Kidneys for Life”.
The team are the UK’s
only recipient of a three year Stoneygate Research award from Kidney Research
UK.
The research will
allow them to model kidney diseases using the new structures.
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