title: Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for chronic renal failure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a worldwide public health problem. Renal transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease, but is limited by a small number of organ donors and the immune barrier. To overcome these problems, new therapeutic strategies for tissue repair have recently emerged.
  
  
  METHODS
  We discuss the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in kidney injury and examine the latest reports providing evidence supporting MSC efficacy in the treatment of chronic renal failure (CRF).
  
  
  RESULTS
  MSCs improve histological and functional outcomes in various CRF model systems. Paracrine effects rather than transdifferentiation might result in the prevention of progressive renal failure. In addition, MSCs can reprogram kidney cell differentiation, and modulate neo-kidney transplantation in CRF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although many practical problems remain to be addressed, treatment with MSCs will enter the mainstream of CRF treatment.
authors.affiliation: Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Internal Medicine, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Soo Jeong
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jin Kuk
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seung Duk
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D012038:Regeneration; D016896:Treatment Outcome