title: The role of a bioengineered artificial kidney in renal failure.
abstract: Renal failure continues to carry substantial burden of morbidity and mortality in both acute and chronic forms, despite advances in transplantation and dialysis. There is evidence to suggest that the kidney has metabolic, endocrine, and immune effects transcending its filtration functions, even beyond secretion of renin and erythropoietin. Our laboratory has developed experience in the tissue culture of renal parenchymal cells, and has now been able to demonstrate the metabolic activity of these cells in an extracorporeal circuit recapitulating glomerulotubular anatomy. We have observed active transport of sodium, glucose, and glutathione. We describe the design and initial preclinical testing of the bioartificial kidney, as well as future directions of our research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, VA Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Fissell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kimball
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: MacKay
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Funke
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Humes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D021522:Bioartificial Organs; D019149:Bioreactors; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000378:metabolism; D007687:Kidney Tubules, Proximal / Q000166:cytology; D007688:Kidneys, Artificial; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy*; D012083:Renin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004921:Erythropoietin; D012083:Renin