title: Embryonic Stem Cells-loaded Gelatin Microcryogels Slow Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a public health problem. New interventions to slow or prevent disease progression are urgently needed. In this setting, cell therapies associated with regenerative effects are attracting increasing interest. We evaluated the effect of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) on the progression of CKD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy. We used pedicled greater omentum flaps packing ESC-loaded gelatin microcryogels (GMs) on the 5/6 nephrectomized kidney. The viability of ESCs within the GMs was detected using in vitro two-photon fluorescence confocal imaging. Rats were sacrificed after 12 weeks. Renal injury was evaluated using serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, 24 h protein, renal pathology, and tubular injury score results. Structural damage was evaluated by periodic acid-Schiff and Masson trichrome staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In vitro, ESCs could be automatically loaded into the GMs. Uniform cell distribution, good cell attachment, and viability were achieved from day 1 to 7 in vitro. After 12 weeks, in the pedicled greater omentum flaps packing ESC-loaded GMs on 5/6 nephrectomized rats group, the plasma urea nitrogen levels were 26% lower than in the right nephrectomy group, glomerulosclerosis index was 62% lower and tubular injury index was 40% lower than in the 5/6 nephrectomized rats group without GMs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a rat model of established CKD, we demonstrated that the pedicled greater omentum flaps packing ESC-loaded GMs on the 5/6 nephrectomized kidney have a long-lasting therapeutic rescue function, as shown by the decreased progression of CKD and reduced glomerular injury.
authors.forename: Xiao-Dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Cong-Mei
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Shu-Qiang
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Quan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Guang-Yan
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Xiang-Mei
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Chinese People's Liberation Army Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Beijing 100853, China.
authors.forename: Di
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D059985:Cryogels; D018450:Disease Progression; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000637:transplantation*; D005780:Gelatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D059985:Cryogels; D005780:Gelatin