ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

1401 H St, NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20005

email@asn-online.org

202-640-4660

The Latest on X

Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO257

Amniotic Fluid-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (AFSCs) Are Renoprotective in Established Experimental CKD

Session Information

  • Stem Cells
    November 03, 2017 | Location: Hall H, Morial Convention Center
    Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Category: Developmental Biology and Inherited Kidney Diseases

  • 402 Stem Cells

Authors

  • Cavaglieri, Rita de Cassia, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
  • Prado, Thalita, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
  • Albuquerque, Luísa, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
  • Zugaib, Marcelo, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
  • Bydlowski, Sergio P., University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
  • Noronha, Irene L., University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Background

AFSCs are a class of stem cells that present characteristics intermediate between embryonic stem cells (ESC) and adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Given that the amniotic fluid consists of fetal urine, stem cell populations present in the amniotic fluid are likely derived from the fetal kidney. These characteristics have aroused great interest in the potential protective effects of AFSCs in renal diseases. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of AFSCs in an experimental model of CKD, the 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx) model , after the disease has been established, in order to more closely resemble the clinical settings in humans.

Methods

Human AFSCs were isolated from second trimester amniocentesis samples by plastic adhesion and characterized as MSC. Male Wistar rats (n= 38) underwent 5/6 Nx or were Sham-operated. After 15 days, 14 rats were euthanized and renal disease was confirmed (Nx-15d). In subsequent experiments, the remaining 31 rats received 5x105 AFSCs or saline, injected under the kidney capsule, and were followed for an additional 15 days. These rats were divided into 4 groups: Sham 30d, Sham+AFSC 30d, sham rats receiving AFSCs; Nx, 5/6 nephrectomy; and Nx+AFSC, Nx rats receiving AFSCs. The table shows the parameters analyzed.

Results

Nx rats with established CKD and treated with AFSCs displayed significant reductions in blood pressure, albuminuria and glomerulosclerosis. In addition, they showed lower expression of α-SMA and ED-1, as well as higher expression of WT-1, in comparison with untreated Nx rats.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that inoculation of AFSCs ameliorate renal disease in established chronic kidney disease.

 EXPERIMENTS AFTER ESTABLISHED CKD
 15 DAYS30 DAYS
Sham 15d
(n=7)
Nx 15d
(n=7)
Sham 30d
(n=6)
Sham+AFSC 30d
(n=6)
Nx 30d
(n=10)
Nx+AFSC30d
(n=9)
BP
(mmHg)
131±2159±3*126±2133±3a188±2a,b169±7a,b,c
uAlb
(mg/24h)
2±127±8*1±01±0110±13a,b43±9c
Glomerulosclerosis
(%)
1.5±110.3±30.3±10.0±129.2±7a,b3.5±1c
Interstitial Fibrosis
(%)
2±0.36±0.5*4±1.13±0.411±0.4a,b11±0.6a,b
WT1
(cells/glom)
11±17±0*11±111±06±0a,b,d9±1
α-SMA
(%)
0.7±0.23.2±0.6*0.1±0.00.2±0.15.3±0.8a,b1.3±0.4c
ED1+
(cells/mm2)
18±438±1115±17±259±13a,b16±4c

Mean±SEM: *p<0.05 vs Sham 15d; ap<0.01 vs Sham 30d; bp<0.001 vs Sham+AFSC 30d; cp<0.01 vs Nx 30d

Funding

  • Government Support - Non-U.S.