4 research outputs found
Differentiated kidney tubular cell-derived extracellular vesicles enhance maturation of tubuloids
The prevalence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is rapidly increasing with the need for regenerative therapies. Adult stem cell derived kidney tubuloids have the potential to functionally mimic the adult kidney tubule, but still lack the expression of important transport proteins needed for waste removal. Here, we investigated the potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) obtained from matured kidney tubular epithelial cells to modulate in vitro tubuloids functional maturation. We focused on organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1), one of the most important proteins involved in endogenous waste excretion. First, we show that EVs from engineered proximal tubule cells increased the expression of several transcription factors and epithelial transporters, resulting in improved OAT1 transport capacity. Next, a more in-depth proteomic data analysis showed that EVs can trigger various biological pathways, including mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, which is crucial in the tubular epithelial maturation. Moreover, we demonstrated that the combination of EVs and tubuloid-derived cells can be used as part of a bioartificial kidney to generate a tight polarized epithelial monolayer with formation of dense cilia structures. In conclusion, EVs from kidney tubular epithelial cells can phenotypically improve in vitro tubuloid maturation, thereby enhancing their potential as functional units in regenerative or renal replacement therapies. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]
Differentiated kidney tubular cell-derived extracellular vesicles enhance maturation of tubuloids
Advanced kidney in vitro models such as organoids or tubuloids still lack the intrinsic expression of various transport proteins needed for active secretory function. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), cell-derived structures that constitute the organ’s microenvironment, are known to regulate various cellular processes, including kidney development and regeneration across the nephron. In this study, we propose a new application of renal tubular epithelial cell EVs as modulators for tubuloid functional maturation by increasing the levels of various differentiation markers such as organic anion transport 1 (OAT1), a protein involved in endogenous waste excretion. First, we show that EVs from engineered proximal tubule cells increased the expression of several transcription factors and epithelial transporters in tubuloids that resulted in improved cellular transport capacity. Next, a more in-depth proteomic data analysis demonstrated that EVs can trigger various biological pathways, including mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, which is crucial in the tubular epithelial maturation process. Moreover, we demonstrated that EV-treated tubuloid-derived cells in a 3D tubular conformation as part of a bioartificial kidney can generate a tight polarized epithelial monolayer with formation of dense cilia structures. In conclusion, EVs from renal tubular epithelial cells can phenotypically improve tubuloid maturation, thereby enhancing their potential as preclinical models and functional units in regenerative therapies
Differentiated kidney tubular cell-derived extracellular vesicles enhance maturation of tubuloids
Advanced kidney in vitro models such as organoids or tubuloids still lack the intrinsic expression of various transport proteins needed for active secretory function. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), cell-derived structures that constitute the organ’s microenvironment, are known to regulate various cellular processes, including kidney development and regeneration across the nephron. In this study, we propose a new application of renal tubular epithelial cell EVs as modulators for tubuloid functional maturation by increasing the levels of various differentiation markers such as organic anion transport 1 (OAT1), a protein involved in endogenous waste excretion. First, we show that EVs from engineered proximal tubule cells increased the expression of several transcription factors and epithelial transporters in tubuloids that resulted in improved cellular transport capacity. Next, a more in-depth proteomic data analysis demonstrated that EVs can trigger various biological pathways, including mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, which is crucial in the tubular epithelial maturation process. Moreover, we demonstrated that EV-treated tubuloid-derived cells in a 3D tubular conformation as part of a bioartificial kidney can generate a tight polarized epithelial monolayer with formation of dense cilia structures. In conclusion, EVs from renal tubular epithelial cells can phenotypically improve tubuloid maturation, thereby enhancing their potential as preclinical models and functional units in regenerative therapies
Differentiated kidney tubular cell-derived extracellular vesicles enhance maturation of tubuloids
Advanced kidney in vitro models such as organoids or tubuloids still lack the intrinsic expression of various transport proteins needed for active secretory function. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), cell-derived structures that constitute the organ’s microenvironment, are known to regulate various cellular processes, including kidney development and regeneration across the nephron. In this study, we propose a new application of renal tubular epithelial cell EVs as modulators for tubuloid functional maturation by increasing the levels of various differentiation markers such as organic anion transport 1 (OAT1), a protein involved in endogenous waste excretion. First, we show that EVs from engineered proximal tubule cells increased the expression of several transcription factors and epithelial transporters in tubuloids that resulted in improved cellular transport capacity. Next, a more in-depth proteomic data analysis demonstrated that EVs can trigger various biological pathways, including mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, which is crucial in the tubular epithelial maturation process. Moreover, we demonstrated that EV-treated tubuloid-derived cells in a 3D tubular conformation as part of a bioartificial kidney can generate a tight polarized epithelial monolayer with formation of dense cilia structures. In conclusion, EVs from renal tubular epithelial cells can phenotypically improve tubuloid maturation, thereby enhancing their potential as preclinical models and functional units in regenerative therapies