From Stem Cells to One Functional Kidney

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have self-renewal capacity and can generate cells of all three germ layers of the embryo. After division, each newly produced cell can either remain a stem cell or differentiate to form any other cell type with more defined functions, such as muscle cells, blood cells, or neural cells. There are two types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and somatic or adult stem cells. Specifically, embryonic stem cells are pluripotential stem cells that can differentiate into all body cell types. It is possible to induce pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). These cells are somatic stem cells genetically reprogrammed to become like embryonic stem cells by inducing expressions of specific genes and other components necessary for maintaining embryonic stem cell properties. The idea that renal progenitors can give rise to a functional kidney under certain experimental conditions has encouraged hundreds of researchers to achieve this goal. Nevertheless, obtaining a fully functional organ in vitro is still perceived as distant. However, we can get closer to this objective as we learn more about the factors that influence cell proliferation and differentiation. 

Keywords: Bioartificial, Bioengineering, Bioprinting, Chip, Organoid.