From the Renal Stem Cell Niche to Functional Parenchyme

摘要

Our present experiments focus on a future alternative for the therapy of acute or chronic renal failure. Regarding the course of these diseases it is unknown why the kidneys loose their ability for regeneration of parenchyme. Consequently, we investigate mechanisms, which stimulate renal stem cells to develop new tubules. This process forms a three-dimensional tubule with a defined length, diameter and an exact geometrical extension. The construction of suitable microreactors for perfusion culture is a key step in this process. We apply a brandnew technique enabling us to generate tubules at the interphase of an artificial interstitium. Collagen coating is avoided and serum-free IMDM is applied. Aldosterone plays a key role, since it stimulates tubulogenesis in the cultured embryonic tissue.