Neovascularization in 3D Kdney Tissue Using Adipose Stem Cells: Artificial Kidney

The adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are the most common adult stem cells populations utilized in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The ASCs have ectodermal, endodermal and mesodermal potentials and their capacity for reprogramming into stimulated pluripotent cells have been proven in vitro and in vivo studies. We used CD29⁺/CD34⁺/Sca-1⁺ cell populations in 3d kidney tissue cultures to stimulate vascularization. The stem cells were obtained from liposuctioned adipose tissue, after were isolated, purified and characterized  (CD29⁺/CD34⁺/Sca-1⁺/CD146⁺), and they were applied into twenty-five kidney tissue cultures. In the second phase, 40 male rats were used which were transplanted with kidney tissue obtained during the first phase and performing sacrifice of 5 animals at 48 h, 72 h, 96 h, at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. We observed neovascularization in a period of 4 days in all cultures using ASCs and HGF and VEGF, compared with the neovascularization observed in cultures with ASCs, which was detected after 15 days (p < 0.001). In the second phase, we detected few glomeruli at 96 hours post transplantation. Furthermore, we found a rehabilitation of renal parenchyma, implying their potential use in animal models. The ASCs have many applications, but the principal purpose must demonstrate the functionality and benefit in the patients.