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With all the processed food everywhere, people are super worried its putting way too much pressure on our kidneys. A study from Nutrients in 2021 totally highlighted how these foods impact the older crowd. This study is totally on point right now, helping us figure out how to keep our kidneys in check. So, like, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI) are these major kidney issues that can totally end up in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). So, when someone hits ESRD, it’s like they need to be on dialysis all the time and are probably going to need a kidney transplant later on.

Traditional treatment for kidney disorder, you know, meds and dialysis, kind of fall short when it comes to stopping these disorders from getting worse, which totally leaves a big gap in finding real solutions. This is where regenerative medicine, especially stem cell therapy for kidney disease, has started to pitch in. In the last 20 years, we have seen some interesting advancements in the use of stem cells. In this blog, we will discuss how stem cells, especially mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), can be used to treat kidney issues.

Early discoveries in treating kidney disorders with stem cells

The first studies on kidney disease stem cell treatment looked into how various stem cells might help repair damaged tissues. In this regard, MSCs are at the center of this buzz. Why? Because they cannot only renew themselves, they also help initiate cellular repair. In addition to that, they have several immune system benefits.

Another factor that has boosted their relevance is the ease of access. And yes, all of this can be obtained in a cruelty-free manner. MSCs can be obtained from bone marrow, fat tissue, and umbilical cords, giving researchers a versatile source of cells to work with. Most of the time, fat tissue and umbilical cords are discarded after medical procedures, but they carry high rejuvenating properties.

At the start of this research, researchers noticed that MSCs could turn into different cell types, including those found in kidney tissues. In animal models with kidney injury, MSCs were able to move to the damaged areas, turn into specialized cells, and release growth factors that help with tissue repair. These early studies gave us a little hope for the chance of stem cell treatment for kidney disorder in people.

Advances in Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Characterization

As the research into MSCs deepened, first thing scientists focused on the safety of these cells. There are numerous studies that show that they are safe to use. The MSCs sourced from bone marrow and umbilical cords have shown results that are worthwhile to look at. We will not go into the depths of this study but look at the results in later sections. The second thing the scientists focused on was ensuring that the results they obtained in tests are replicated in the clinical studies. To do exactly that, they have developed more advanced techniques to enhance the therapeutic potential of these cells.

One of the most important decisions came with the refinement of the characterization of MSCs. The International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) in 2016 provided updated guidelines for MSC properties. Now, this step was crucial to ensure the results that are observed in the clinical trials are replicated in clinics.

To provide a sense of what these guidelines include, here is a snap shot of the same:

  • There is an emphasis to check the self-renewal capacity of these cells. This is included to ensure that the cells will not change their appearance and will in turn do the intended work.
  • Another thing to check is the potency of these cells. It is crucial to check that they are carrying the biochemical material that will bring about the changes we are looking for.
  • The third thing that is crucial is to check the karyotype of the cells. It is done to ensure the cells are not carrying any abnormal genetic mutations.

This level of standardization has been crucial in enhancing the safety and efficacy of stem cell treatment for kidney disorder as it ensures that the stem cells administered to patients meet specific therapeutic benchmarks.

Innovations in stem cell preconditioning

The scientists have started to focus on measures to improve the efficacy of the stem cells. In an attempt to enhance the success of “stem cell therapy for kidney disease,” they are treating MSCs to survive harsh environments of kidneys.

To achieve this, scientists have seen success where exposing MSCs to hypoxic conditions (low oxygen) enhances their survival and therapeutic potential once introduced into the body. It is that these conditions are what mimic the kidney’s natural environment.

But the efforts do not stop here! Researchers are looking into using MSCs alongside growth factors, cytokines, or small molecules to get them ready before they’re given to patients. Once again, these bioactive molecules have provided a boost to the stem cells regenerative capabilities. It is more of a method to modulate the immune response and enhance their regenerative capabilities. One such example is the use of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) to boost the immunosuppressive abilities of MSCs. This makes them better at controlling the immune system during stem cell treatment for kidney disorder.

Another factor that has been recently in the news is exosomes. These tiny bubbles carry several properties of their native stem cells. They have the rejuvenating factors that can bring forth immediate cellular modification as they enter the cells. This means the exosomes can assist stem cells to provide faster healing.

Stem cell therapy for acute kidney injury (AKI)

Much of the excitement surrounding kidney disease stem cell treatment has emerged from research in AKI. AKI is a sudden, often reversible decline in kidney function. Unfortunately, it associates with high mortality rates. Use of MSCs for AKI has shown remarkable potential in preventing its progression to chronic kidney disease.

In preclinical trials using animal models of AKI, MSCs helped lower inflammation, cut down on cell death, and boost the growth of kidney cells. The benefits mainly come from the paracrine effects of MSCs. They drop therapeutic molecules that tweak the immune response and kickstart tissue repair during the paracrine effects.

Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

In contrast, treatment of CKD with stem cells is more complex. In AKI, we most of the time know the cause of the damage, and it can be quickly treated. But CKD involves long-term, irreversible damage to the kidneys. Another complication is that the damage usually comes with the kidney becoming fibrotic and having several scars.

That said, there have been breakthroughs in using stem cells to slow down or halt the progression of CKD. MSCs can reduce kidney inflammation, decrease fibrosis, and improve kidney function in cases of CKD.

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Ongoing clinical trials are testing MSC therapy in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a common cause of CKD. The preliminary results from trials and individual cases suggest that MSC therapy may

  • reduce albuminuria (protein in the urine) and
  • improve kidney function in these patients

It is offering new hope for slowing the progression of CKD.

Conclusion

The field of kidney disease stem cell treatment has come a long way since the early days of stem cell research. While challenges remain, especially concerning the standardization of treatments and ensuring the effectiveness of MSCs in different patient populations, the future looks promising. In the coming years, stem cell treatment for kidney disorder might become a common method of treatment. This is if more research try to decipher the preconditioning strategies, the use of MSC-derived extracellular vesicles, and clinical trials in both acute and chronic kidney diseases. The hope is that these cutting-edge therapies will offer new, effective options for millions of patients suffering from kidney diseases globally.

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