Mesenchymal stem cell analysis in models of acute and chronic renal ischemia

Abstract

Acute renal failure (ARF) is related to toxic and ischemic injuries. The best therapeutic option for patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) is the kidney transplantation. However, the demand for kidneys outstrips the supply. Therefore, alternative therapies are important to overcome this problem. And, in this context, the stem cells therapy stands.Until now, little is known about mechanisms of stem-cells repair: if they repair the tissue by themselves or if they act indirectly in this process, by some factor secretion. On the other hand, it is known that stem cells can be expanded ex-vivo, and also they can be manipulated for gene therapy.In this study, we will focus on the homing of stem cell and on the chemokines secretion for injured kidney that seems to attract them to the site. We also will study whether stem cells are able to limit CRF. By using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and ARF and CRF models, we intend to demonstrate their pattern of homing and their capacity of regenerating acute and chronic injuries. Moreover, we intend to increase the capacity of MSC in repairing fibrotic tissues and consequently, limiting renal failure, by transfecting them with Smad-7 gene.