title: Selective In Vitro Propagation of Nephron Progenitors Derived from Embryos and Pluripotent Stem Cells.
abstract: Nephron progenitors in the embryonic kidney propagate while generating differentiated nephrons. However, in mice, the progenitors terminally differentiate shortly after birth. Here, we report a method for selectively expanding nephron progenitors in vitro in an undifferentiated state. Combinatorial and concentration-dependent stimulation with LIF, FGF2/9, BMP7, and a WNT agonist is critical for expansion. The purified progenitors proliferated beyond the physiological limits observed in vivo, both for cell numbers and lifespan. Neonatal progenitors were maintained for a week, while progenitors from embryonic day 11.5 expanded 1,800-fold for nearly 20 days and still reconstituted 3D nephrons containing glomeruli and renal tubules. Furthermore, progenitors generated from mouse embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent cells could be expanded with retained nephron-forming potential. Thus, we have established in vitro conditions for promoting the propagation of nephron progenitors, which will be essential for dissecting the mechanisms of kidney organogenesis and for regenerative medicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kidney Development, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan.
authors.forename: Shunsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanigawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Kidney Development, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan.
authors.forename: Atsuhiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taguchi
authors.affiliation: Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
authors.forename: Nirmala
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
authors.forename: Alan O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Perantoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Kidney Development, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan. Electronic address: ryuichi@kumamoto-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Ryuichi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nishinakamura