Xenotransplanted embryonic kidney provides a niche for endogenous stem cell differentiation into erythropoietin-producing tissue.

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24790861
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Kidney internal medicine
• Research Institution: Jikei University School of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Matsumoto Kei 東京慈恵会医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (30439799)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 腎性貧血 / 慢性腎不全 / エリスロポエチン / 再生医療 / 腎臓再生

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We established xenotransplantation models that control endogenous mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into mature erythropoietin (EPO)-producing tissue in a niche provided by a developing xenometanephros. Transplantation of rat metanephroi into mouse omentum, and similarly pig metanephroi into cat omentum, led to the recruitment of host cells and EPO production. EPO-expressing cells were not differentiated from integrating vessels because they did not co-express endothelial markers. Instead, EPO-expressing cells were shown to be derived from circulating host cells, as shown by EGFP expression in the grown transplants of chimeric mice bearing bone marrow from a transgenic(tg) mouse expressing EGFP under the control of the EPO promoter.These results suggest that bone marrow cells recruitment and differentiation in a xenotransplanted developing organ. Using metanephroi from tg suicide-inducible mice, the xeno-tissue component could be eliminated, leaving autologous EPO-producing tissue.

Free Research Field

腎臓内科学