Renal regenerative capacity related to stem cell reserve in nephrectomized rats.

PURPOSE: On the new era of stem cell therapy, the present experimental study was conducted to investigate renal regenerative capacity related to kidney stem cell reserve in different nephrectomy (Nx) models.

METHODS: Three- and eight-week-old rats (n = 168) were randomly divided into four groups to include control and three Nx subgroups (1/6 Nx, 1/2 Nx, and 5/6 Nx) (Fig. 1). On post-Nx days 15, 30 and 60, kidney specimens were obtained to determine renal regenerative capacity. The specimens were examined with immunofluorescence. CD90/CD105 and Ki-67 expressions were determined as stem cell and cellular proliferation markers, respectively. Fig. 1 Intraoperative photographs showing three different types of nephrectomies (unilateral total Nx has not been shown in 5/6 Nx group) RESULTS: CD90 and CD105 expressions were stronger in glomeruli, but Ki-67 expressions were present only in tubuli. When all Nx types and post-Nx days were considered, both 3- and 8-week-old rats undergone 5/6 Nx had the highest glomerular CD90 and CD105 double expressions. While the expressions gradually increased toward the day 60 in 3-weeks old rats, 8-week-old rats had almost stable double expressions. The strongest tubular Ki-67 expressions were seen in 5/6 Nx groups of both in 3- and 8-week-old rats. The expressions were strongest on day 15 and then gradually decreased. Ipsilateral 1/6 Nx groups had stronger Ki-67 expression than contralateral ones in both age groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Kidneys may pose a regenerative response to tissue/volume loss through its own CD90- and CD105-related stem cell reserve which mainly takes place in glomeruli and seems to have some interactions with Ki-67-related tubular proliferative process. This response supports that kidney stem cells may have a potential to overcome tissue/volume loss-related damage.