Acellular Mouse Kidney ECM can be Used as a Three-Dimensional Substrate to Test the Differentiation Potential of Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Renal Progenitors

• Published in: Stem cell reviews Vol. 13; no. 4; pp. 513 - 531
• Main Authors: Sambi, Manpreet, Chow, Theresa, Whiteley, Jennifer, Li, Mira, Chua, Shawn, Raileanu, Vanessa, Rogers, Ian M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.08.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Cell Biology; Cell culture; Cell Differentiation; Clear cell-type renal cell carcinoma; Electrochemical machining; Embryo cells; Embryogenesis; Embryonic growth stage; Embryos; Extracellular matrix; Extracellular Matrix - chemistry; Gastrulation; Kidney - chemistry; Kidney - cytology; Life Sciences; Mice; Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells - cytology; Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells - metabolism; Organogenesis; Regenerative Medicine/Tissue Engineering; Stem cell transplantation; Stem Cells; Urban regeneration; Decellularized kidney; Pluripotent cells; Acellular; Stem cells; Organ culture; Six2; Extracellular matrix; Kidney
• ISSN: 1550-8943; 2629-3269; 1558-6804; 2629-3277
• DOI: 10.1007/s12015-016-9712-2

The development of strategies for tissue regeneration and bio-artificial organ development is based on our understanding of embryogenesis. Differentiation protocols attempt to recapitulate the signaling modalities of gastrulation and organogenesis, coupled with cell selection regimens to isolate the cells of choice. This strategy is impeded by the lack of optimal in vitro culture systems since traditional culture systems do not allow for the three-dimensional interaction between cells and the extracellular matrix. While artificial three-dimensional scaffolds are available, using the natural extracellular matrix scaffold is advantageous because it has a distinct architecture that is difficult to replicate. The adult extracellular matrix is predicted to mediate signaling related to tissue repair not embryogenesis but existing similarities between the two argues that the extracellular matrix will influence the differentiation of stem and progenitor cells. Previous studies using undifferentiated embryonic stem cells grown directly on acellular kidney ECM demonstrated that the acellular kidney supported cell growth but limited differentiation occurred. Using mouse kidney extracellular matrix and mouse embryonic stem cells we report that the extracellular matrix can support the development of kidney structures if the stem cells are first differentiated to kidney progenitor cells before being applied to the acellular organ.