Urine-derived stem cells for the therapy of diabetic nephropathy mouse model

G. Xiong, L. Tao, W.-J. Ma, M.-J. Gong, L. Zhao, L.-J. Shen, C.-L. Long, D.-Y. Zhang, Y.-Y. Zhang, G.-H. Wei

Department of Urology; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation base of Child development and Critical Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics; Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China. u806806@cqmu.edu.cn

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• Stem Cells

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most representative diabetic microangiopathy complications. So far, there have been no satisfactory therapeutic strategies, and the injection of stem cells provides a target for DN therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Urine-derived stem cells (USCs) were obtained from 9 healthy men. 24 mice were randomly and equally divided into control group, DN model group, DN+hUSC group (treated with USCs for 3 times). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining were used to detect histological changes of kidney injury. Creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured to assess renal function. Besides, myofibroblast accumulation, macrophage infiltration, cell proliferation, and oxidative stress were detected by immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS: Compared with DN model group, DN+hUSC group showed lower function loss, cell infiltration, and oxidative stress, as well as less renal fibrosis, histological damage, and cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS: USC can alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress, reduce renal interstitial fibrosis, improve renal tissue structure and protect renal function through paracrine effect.

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