Possibilities of using organoids in the treatment of kidney diseases

Abstract

Kidney transplantation is the most effective method of renal replacement therapy. The constantly increasing number of patients awaiting kidney transplantation as compared to the number of potential donors means that other solutions are sought than a transplantation from a deceased or living human donor. Kidney organoids are among the methods that hopes for the future. Kidney organoids are three-dimensional structures whose anatomical structure and functional properties reflect some aspects of kidney structure and function in vivo. The beginning of research on kidney organoids dates back to the 1950s. Three reasons justify research on kidney organoids. Kidney organoids can be used to study kidney deve- lopment. With the help of organoids it will be possible to study congenital and acquired kidney diseases. Organoids may also become functional kidney- like organs used in the treatment of patients with end-stage kidney disease. To date, methods have been developed for producing kidney organoids from mouse fetal cells and from human pluripotent stem cells.