Enriched human embryonic stem cells-derived CD133+, CD24+ renal progenitors engraft and restore function in a gentamicin-induced kidney injury in mice

Introduction Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common health problem that leads to high morbidity and potential mortality. The failure of conventional treatments to improve forms of this condition highlights the need for innovative and effective treatment approaches. Regenerative therapies with Renal Progenitor Cells (RPCs) have been proposed as a promising new strategy. A growing body of evidence suggests that progenitor cells differentiated from different sources, including human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), can effectively treat AKI. Methods Here, we describe a method for generating RPCs and directed human Embryoid Bodies (EBs) towards CD133+CD24+ renal progenitor cells and evaluate their functional activity in alleviating AKI. Results The obtained results show that hESCs-derived CD133+CD24+ RPCs can engraft into damaged renal tubules and restore renal function and structure in mice with gentamicin-induced kidney injury, and significantly decrease blood urea nitrogen levels, suppress oxidative stress and inflammation, and attenuate histopathological disturbances, including tubular necrosis, tubular dilation, urinary casts, and interstitial fibrosis. Conclusion The results suggest that RPCs have a promising regenerative potential in improving renal disease and can lay the foundation for future cell therapy and disease modeling.