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Omaha Steve

(99,060 posts)
Sun Apr 14, 2013, 08:49 PM Apr 2013

Rat Kidneys Made in Lab Point to Aid For Humans

Source: NY Times

By HENRY FOUNTAIN

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston have made functioning rat kidneys in the laboratory, a bioengineering achievement that may one day lead to the ability to create replacement organs for people with kidney disease.

The scientists said the rat kidneys produced urine in the laboratory as well as when transplanted into rats. The kidneys were made by stripping donor kidneys of their cells and putting new cells that regenerate tissue into them. Stripping an organ leaves a natural scaffold of collagen and other compounds, called the extracellular matrix, which provides a framework for new cells and preserves the intricate internal architecture of the kidney as well as its basic shape.

Harald C. Ott, senior author of a paper describing the research that was published online Sunday by the journal Nature Medicine, said that the work was still in its early stages and that there were many hurdles to creating fully functional kidneys for people. But he noted that replacement organs made in this way would have advantages over those made with artificial scaffolds or other techniques.

“The huge benefit would be that it’s fully implantable in the shape of a kidney,” he said.

FULL story at link.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/15/science/rat-kidneys-made-in-lab-seen-as-step-to-human-transplants.html?partner=EXCITE&ei=5043&_r=0

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Rat Kidneys Made in Lab Point to Aid For Humans (Original Post) Omaha Steve Apr 2013 OP
Since kidneys are grafted onto the iliac artery in the abdomen Warpy Apr 2013 #1
I don't think it's the shape that is important Duer 157099 Apr 2013 #2
Oh, absolutely! Warpy Apr 2013 #3
With kidney disease, is the scaffolding affected? Duer 157099 Apr 2013 #4
Probably not. Warpy Apr 2013 #5
Hmm. Then how about autologous transplantation? Duer 157099 Apr 2013 #6
Check and see what removing a kidney involves Warpy Apr 2013 #7
I saw a story on this some time ago Mnpaul Apr 2013 #8

Warpy

(110,900 posts)
1. Since kidneys are grafted onto the iliac artery in the abdomen
Sun Apr 14, 2013, 08:56 PM
Apr 2013

I can't see any benefit to that particular shape. Someone who knows the surgery a little better needs to figure out what sort of shape for artificially grown transplant organs.

There's no such choice for heart or liver. There is for kidneys.

Duer 157099

(17,742 posts)
2. I don't think it's the shape that is important
Sun Apr 14, 2013, 09:17 PM
Apr 2013

although, I didn't go to the link to read the full story either.

Sounds like it's just the scaffolding that they need, which happens to be in the shape of a kidney.

Either way, cool.

Warpy

(110,900 posts)
3. Oh, absolutely!
Sun Apr 14, 2013, 09:19 PM
Apr 2013

Kidney disease has moved in to stay this time. I won't be doing dialysis. It would be nice if this research came to fruition before my own kidneys conk out completely, but I don't hold out a hell of a lot of hope.

I'm just glad younger folks will live to see it.

Duer 157099

(17,742 posts)
4. With kidney disease, is the scaffolding affected?
Sun Apr 14, 2013, 09:23 PM
Apr 2013

I know little to nothing about it. I wonder if a patient, while on dialysis, could have their own kidney decellularized/recellularized in situ?

Warpy

(110,900 posts)
5. Probably not.
Sun Apr 14, 2013, 09:29 PM
Apr 2013

The whole thing would work best on scaffolding suspended in a nutrient solution in the lab. Then there would have to be extensive testing to make sure the organ works properly. Only then could it be cleared for implantation into a human.

Your idea is stuff of the science fiction future. If we survive as a species, I'm sure it will eventually come to pass and everything we do today will seem utterly barbaric.

For now, it's the laboratory followed by surgery if the organ works.

Duer 157099

(17,742 posts)
6. Hmm. Then how about autologous transplantation?
Sun Apr 14, 2013, 09:40 PM
Apr 2013

Remove the diseased kidney, decellularize it, harvest stem cells from the patient, use those to recellularize the kidney in vitro. Then transplant it back. No rejection issues.

But yeah, probably not in the next few years. But eventually.

Warpy

(110,900 posts)
7. Check and see what removing a kidney involves
Sun Apr 14, 2013, 09:44 PM
Apr 2013

There's a great reason they graft them onto the iliac artery/vein rather than replacing a diseased kidney.

Mnpaul

(3,655 posts)
8. I saw a story on this some time ago
Sun Apr 14, 2013, 11:48 PM
Apr 2013

They remove the tissue leaving the rest intact and then grow new tissue on the scaffolding. The process must have finally been a success.

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