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Omer D, Zontag OC, Gnatek Y, Harari-Steinberg O, Pleniceanu O, Namestnikov M, Cohen AH, Nissim-Rafinia M, Tam G, Kalisky T, Meshorer E, Dekel B. OCT4 induces long-lived dedifferentiated kidney progenitors poised to redifferentiate in 3D kidney spheroids. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 29:329-346. [PMID: 37214315 PMCID: PMC10193171 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Upscaling of kidney epithelial cells is crucial for renal regenerative medicine. Nonetheless, the adult kidney lacks a distinct stem cell hierarchy, limiting the ability to long-term propagate clonal populations of primary cells that retain renal identity. Toward this goal, we tested the paradigm of shifting the balance between differentiation and stemness in the kidney by introducing a single pluripotency factor, OCT4. Here we show that ectopic expression of OCT4 in human adult kidney epithelial cells (hKEpC) induces the cells to dedifferentiate, stably proliferate, and clonally emerge over many generations. Control hKEpC dedifferentiate, assume fibroblastic morphology, and completely lose clonogenic capacity. Analysis of gene expression and histone methylation patterns revealed that OCT4 represses the HNF1B gene module, which is critical for kidney epithelial differentiation, and concomitantly activates stemness-related pathways. OCT4-hKEpC can be long-term expanded in the dedifferentiated state that is primed for renal differentiation. Thus, when expanded OCT4-hKEpC are grown as kidney spheroids (OCT4-kSPH), they reactivate the HNF1B gene signature, redifferentiate, and efficiently generate renal structures in vivo. Hence, changes occurring in the cellular state of hKEpC following OCT4 induction, long-term propagation, and 3D aggregation afford rapid scale-up technology of primary renal tissue-forming cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorit Omer
- Pediatric Stem Cell Research Institute, Edmond & Lily Safra Children’s Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 5262000, Israel
- Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Osnat Cohen Zontag
- Pediatric Stem Cell Research Institute, Edmond & Lily Safra Children’s Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 5262000, Israel
- Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yehudit Gnatek
- Pediatric Stem Cell Research Institute, Edmond & Lily Safra Children’s Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 5262000, Israel
- Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Orit Harari-Steinberg
- Pediatric Stem Cell Research Institute, Edmond & Lily Safra Children’s Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 5262000, Israel
- Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Oren Pleniceanu
- Pediatric Stem Cell Research Institute, Edmond & Lily Safra Children’s Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 5262000, Israel
- Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michael Namestnikov
- Pediatric Stem Cell Research Institute, Edmond & Lily Safra Children’s Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 5262000, Israel
- Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ayelet-Hashahar Cohen
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Malka Nissim-Rafinia
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Gal Tam
- Faculty of Engineering and Nanotechnology Institute, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Tomer Kalisky
- Faculty of Engineering and Nanotechnology Institute, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Eran Meshorer
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
- Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Benjamin Dekel
- Pediatric Stem Cell Research Institute, Edmond & Lily Safra Children’s Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 5262000, Israel
- Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Edmond & Lily Safra Children’s Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 5262000, Israel
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Meurer L, Ferdman L, Belcher B, Camarata T. The SIX Family of Transcription Factors: Common Themes Integrating Developmental and Cancer Biology. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:707854. [PMID: 34490256 PMCID: PMC8417317 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.707854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The sine oculis (SIX) family of transcription factors are key regulators of developmental processes during embryogenesis. Members of this family control gene expression to promote self-renewal of progenitor cell populations and govern mechanisms of cell differentiation. When the function of SIX genes becomes disrupted, distinct congenital defects develops both in animal models and humans. In addition to the embryonic setting, members of the SIX family have been found to be critical regulators of tumorigenesis, promoting cell proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and metastasis. Research in both the fields of developmental biology and cancer research have provided an extensive understanding of SIX family transcription factor functions. Here we review recent progress in elucidating the role of SIX family genes in congenital disease as well as in the promotion of cancer. Common themes arise when comparing SIX transcription factor function during embryonic and cancer development. We highlight the complementary nature of these two fields and how knowledge in one area can open new aspects of experimentation in the other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan Meurer
- Department of Basic Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, United States
| | - Leonard Ferdman
- Department of Basic Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, United States
| | - Beau Belcher
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, United States
| | - Troy Camarata
- Department of Basic Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, United States
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Becherucci F, Mazzinghi B, Allinovi M, Angelotti ML, Romagnani P. Regenerating the kidney using human pluripotent stem cells and renal progenitors. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2018; 18:795-806. [PMID: 29939787 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2018.1492546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic kidney disease is a major health-care problem worldwide and its cost is becoming no longer affordable. Indeed, restoring damaged renal structures or building a new kidney represents an ambitious and ideal alternative to renal replacement therapy. Streams of research have explored the possible application of pluripotent stem cells (SCs) (embryonic SCs and induced pluripotent SCs) in different strategies aimed at regenerate functioning nephrons and at understanding the mechanisms of kidney regeneration. AREAS COVERED In this review, we will focus on the main potential applications of human pluripotent SCs to kidney regeneration, including those leading to rebuilding new kidneys or part of them (organoids, scaffolds, biological microdevices) as well as those aimed at understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of renal disease and regenerative processes (modeling of kidney disease, genome editing). Moreover, we will discuss the role of endogenous renal progenitors cells in order to understand and promote kidney regeneration, as an attractive alternative to pluripotent SCs. EXPERT OPINION Opportunities and pitfalls of all these strategies will be underlined, finally leading to the conclusion that a deeper knowledge of the biology of pluripotent SCs is mandatory, in order to allow us to hypothesize their clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Becherucci
- a Nephrology and Dialysis Unit , Meyer Children's University Hospital , Florence , Italy
| | - Benedetta Mazzinghi
- a Nephrology and Dialysis Unit , Meyer Children's University Hospital , Florence , Italy
| | - Marco Allinovi
- b Department of Biomedical Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio" , University of Florence , Florence , Italy
| | - Maria Lucia Angelotti
- b Department of Biomedical Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio" , University of Florence , Florence , Italy
| | - Paola Romagnani
- a Nephrology and Dialysis Unit , Meyer Children's University Hospital , Florence , Italy.,b Department of Biomedical Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio" , University of Florence , Florence , Italy
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Samanta S, Rajasingh S, Cao T, Dawn B, Rajasingh J. Epigenetic dysfunctional diseases and therapy for infection and inflammation. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2016; 1863:518-528. [PMID: 27919711 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2016.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Even though the discovery of the term 'epigenetics' was in the 1940s, it has recently become one of the most promising and expanding fields to unravel the gene expression pattern in several diseases. The most well studied example is cancer, but other diseases like metabolic disorders, autism, or inflammation-associated diseases such as lung injury, autoimmune disease, asthma, and type-2 diabetes display aberrant gene expression and epigenetic regulation during their occurrence. The change in the epigenetic pattern of a gene may also alter gene function because of a change in the DNA status. Constant environmental pressure, lifestyle, as well as food habits are the other important parameters responsible for transgenerational inheritance of epigenetic traits. Discovery of epigenetic modifiers targeting DNA methylation and histone deacetylation enzymes could be an alternative source to treat or manipulate the pathogenesis of diseases. Particularly, the combination of epigenetic drugs such as 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (Aza) and trichostatin A (TSA) are well studied to reduce inflammation in an acute lung injury model. It is important to understand the epigenetic machinery and the function of its components in specific diseases to develop targeted epigenetic therapy. Moreover, it is equally critical to know the specific inhibitors other than the widely used pan inhibitors in clinical trials and explore their roles in regulating specific genes in a more defined way during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saheli Samanta
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Sheeja Rajasingh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Thuy Cao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Buddhadeb Dawn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Johnson Rajasingh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
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Lan X, Lu G, Yuan C, Mao S, Jiang W, Chen Y, Jin X, Xia Q. Valproic acid (VPA) inhibits the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in prostate carcinoma via the dual suppression of SMAD4. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2015. [PMID: 26206483 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-015-2020-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSES The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in cancer metastasis. Previous studies have reported that valproic acid (VPA) suppresses prostate carcinoma (PCa) cell metastasis and down-regulates SMAD4 protein levels, which is the key molecule in TGF-β-induced EMT. However, the correlation between VPA and the EMT in PCa remains uncertain. METHODS Markers of the EMT in PCa cells and xenografts were molecularly assessed after VPA treatment. The expression and mono-ubiquitination of SMAD4 were also analyzed. After transfection with plasmids that express SMAD4 or short hairpin RNA for SMAD4 down-regulation, markers of EMT were examined to confirm whether VPA inhibits the EMT of PCa cells through the suppression of SMAD4. RESULTS VPA induced the increase in E-cadherin (p < 0.05), and the decrease in N-cadherin (p < 0.05) and Vimentin (p < 0.05), in PCa cells and xenografts. SMAD4 mRNA and protein levels were repressed by VPA (p < 0.05), whereas the level of mono-ubiquitinated SMAD4 was increased (p < 0.05). SMAD4 knockdown significantly increased E-cadherin expression in PC3 cells, but SMAD4 over-expression abolished the VPA-mediated EMT-inhibitory effect. CONCLUSIONS VPA inhibits the EMT in PCa cells via the inhibition of SMAD4 expression and the mono-ubiquitination of SMAD4. VPA could serve as a promising agent in PCa treatment, with new strategies based on its diverse effects on posttranscriptional regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Lan
- Minimally Invasive Urology Center, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 9677 Jingshidong Road, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Guoliang Lu
- Minimally Invasive Urology Center, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 9677 Jingshidong Road, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Chuanwei Yuan
- Minimally Invasive Urology Center, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 9677 Jingshidong Road, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Shaowei Mao
- Minimally Invasive Urology Center, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 9677 Jingshidong Road, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Urology, Dongying People's Hospital, Dongying, 257000, China
| | - Yougen Chen
- Minimally Invasive Urology Center, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 9677 Jingshidong Road, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Xunbo Jin
- Minimally Invasive Urology Center, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 9677 Jingshidong Road, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Qinghua Xia
- Minimally Invasive Urology Center, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 9677 Jingshidong Road, Jinan, 250014, China.
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Duncan HF, Smith AJ, Fleming GJP, Cooper PR. Epigenetic modulation of dental pulp stem cells: implications for regenerative endodontics. Int Endod J 2015; 49:431-46. [PMID: 26011759 DOI: 10.1111/iej.12475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 05/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) offer significant potential for use in regenerative endodontics, and therefore, identifying cellular regulators that control stem cell fate is critical to devising novel treatment strategies. Stem cell lineage commitment and differentiation are regulated by an intricate range of host and environmental factors of which epigenetic influence is considered vital. Epigenetic modification of DNA and DNA-associated histone proteins has been demonstrated to control cell phenotype and regulate the renewal and pluripotency of stem cell populations. The activities of the nuclear enzymes, histone deacetylases, are increasingly being recognized as potential targets for pharmacologically inducing stem cell differentiation and dedifferentiation. Depending on cell maturity and niche in vitro, low concentration histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) application can promote dedifferentiation of several post-natal and mouse embryonic stem cell populations and conversely increase differentiation and accelerate mineralization in DPSC populations, whilst animal studies have shown an HDACi-induced increase in stem cell marker expression during organ regeneration. Notably, both HDAC and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors have also been demonstrated to dramatically increase the reprogramming of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for use in regenerative therapeutic procedures. As the regulation of cell fate will likely remain the subject of intense future research activity, this review aims to describe the current knowledge relating to stem cell epigenetic modification, focusing on the role of HDACi on alteration of DPSC phenotype, whilst presenting the potential for therapeutic application as part of regenerative endodontic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- H F Duncan
- Division of Restorative Dentistry & Periodontology, Dublin Dental University Hospital, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - A J Smith
- Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - G J P Fleming
- Material Science Unit, Dublin Dental University Hospital, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - P R Cooper
- Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Dziedzic K, Pleniceanu O, Dekel B. Kidney stem cells in development, regeneration and cancer. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2014; 36:57-65. [PMID: 25128731 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 08/03/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The generation of nephrons during development depends on differentiation via a mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) of self-renewing, tissue-specific stem cells confined to a specific anatomic niche of the nephrogenic cortex. These cells may transform to generate oncogenic stem cells and drive pediatric renal cancer. Once nephron epithelia are formed the view of post-MET tissue renal growth and maintenance by adult tissue-specific epithelial stem cells becomes controversial. Recently, genetic lineage tracing that followed clonal evolution of single kidney cells showed that the need for new cells is constantly driven by fate-restricted unipotent clonal expansions in varying kidney segments arguing against a multipotent adult stem cell model. Lineage-restriction was similarly maintained in kidney organoids grown in culture. Importantly, kidney cells in which Wnt was activated were traced to give significant clonal progeny indicating a clonogenic hierarchy. In vivo nephron epithelia may be endowed with the capacity akin to that of unipotent epithelial stem/progenitor such that under specific stimuli can clonally expand/self renew by local proliferation of mature differentiated cells. Finding ways to ex vivo preserve and expand the observed in vivo kidney-forming capacity inherent to both the fetal and adult kidneys is crucial for taking renal regenerative medicine forward. Some of the strategies used to achieve this are sorting human fetal nephron stem/progenitor cells, growing adult nephrospheres or reprogramming differentiated kidney cells toward expandable renal progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudyna Dziedzic
- Pediatric Stem Cell Research Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Oren Pleniceanu
- Pediatric Stem Cell Research Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Benjamin Dekel
- Pediatric Stem Cell Research Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
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Abstract
Recent years have challenged the view that adult somatic cells reach a state of terminal differentiation. Although the ultimate example of this, somatic cell nuclear transfer, has not proven feasible in human beings, dedifferentiation of mature cell types to a more primitive state, direct reprogramming from one mature state to another, and the reprogramming of any adult cell type to a pluripotent state via enforced expression of key transcription factors now all have been shown. The implications of these findings for kidney disease include the re-creation of key renal cell types from more readily available and expandable somatic cell sources. The feasibility of such an approach recently was shown with the dedifferentiation of proximal tubule cells to nephrogenic mesenchyme. In this review, we examine the technical and clinical challenges that remain to such an approach and how new reprogramming approaches also may be useful for kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Takasato
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jessica M Vanslambrouck
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Melissa H Little
- The Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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Using stem and progenitor cells to recapitulate kidney development and restore renal function. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2014; 19:140-4. [PMID: 24480967 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000000052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW There is considerable interest in the idea of generating stem and precursor cells that can differentiate into kidney cells and be used to treat kidney diseases. Within this field, we highlight recent research articles focussing on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and kidney-derived stem/progenitor cells (KSPCs). RECENT FINDINGS In preclinical studies, MSCs ameliorate varied acute and chronic kidney diseases. Their efficacy depends on immunomodulatory and paracrine properties but MSCs do not differentiate into functional kidney epithelia. iPSCs can be derived from healthy individuals and from kidney patients by forced expression of precursor genes. Like ESCs, iPSCs are pluripotent and so theoretically they have the potential to form functional kidney epithelia when used therapeutically. KSPCs, existing as cell subsets within adult and developing kidneys, constitute attractive future therapeutic agents. SUMMARY Results from preclinical studies are encouraging but caution is required regarding potential human therapeutic applications because molecular, morphological and functional characterization of 'kidney cells' generated from ECSs, iPSCs, KSPCs have not been exhaustive. The long-term safety of renal stem and precursor cells needs more study, including potential negative effects on renal growth and their potential for tumor formation.
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