Immune-evasive iPSCs as universal cell source for kidney regeneration in transplantation therapy

Abstract

In the Netherlands, 1.7 million people have chronic kidney injury impairing their kidney function. The kidneys are unable to repair themselves so further deterioration of kidney function can eventually lead to kidney failure. The only curative treatment for kidney failure at this time is a kidney transplant, but due to severe shortage of donor kidneys there is a long waiting list.

Stem cells offer a possible alternative treatment. In the lab, we can make kidney tissue from these stem cells with the goal of using them to help patients. However, there is a risk that this kidney tissue will be rejected. In this thesis, I investigated ways to protect stem cells and the kidney tissue made from them from rejection. By modifying the DNA of stem cells in different ways, we can make them less visible to the immune system, or have them actively inhibit the immune system. We have investigated different strategies that inhibit different parts of the immune system. With these, we have made a start on developing kidney tissue from stem cells that can be used for transplantation and is protected against rejection.