Gregory Dressler Laboratory

Use of Embryonic Stem Cells to Derive Renal Epithelia

The renal epithelial cells are the functional building blocks of the nephron. While epithelial cells along the proximal-distal axis of the nephron share some common features, there may be twenty or more distinct epithelial subtypes each expressing a unique combination of proteins whose functions contribute to electrolyte and water balance. Yet, these various specialized tubular epithelial cells all share a common tissue of origin, the metanephric mesenchyme of the posterior intermediate mesoderm. Given what is known about the early development of the kidney, it seems plausible that ES cells can be differentiated in vitro under the right culture conditions to generate kidney epithelia. Such strategies are currently being used to generate hematopoietic cells, neurons, and pancreatic islet cells, but have not yet been fully realized in the kidney.

 

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