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Modelling polycystic kidney disease

Nature Materials volume 16, pages 1058–1059 (2017)Cite this article

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Cysts were generated from organoids in vitro and the removal of adherent cues was shown to play a key role in polycystic kidney disease progression. These cysts resembled those of diseased tissue phenotypically and were capable of remodelling their microenvironment.

The kidney is a highly complex organ with a range of fundamental roles in filtration and homeostasis of the human body. There are a multitude of diseases that affect the normal functioning of kidneys. In particular, over 150 distinct genetic diseases can cause chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, numerous in vitro and in vivo models do not fully recapitulate the pathophysiology of human CKD due to species-specific variations. In this context, Benjamin Freedman and colleagues1 now report in Nature Materials on a strategy to generate a model of polycystic kidney disease and investigate the role of physical cues in directing cystogenesis.

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Figure 1: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and in vitro disease models.

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  1. the Department of Biomedical and Experimental Sciences 'Mario Serio', and at the Excellence Centre for Research, Transfer and High Education for the development of DE NOVO Therapies (DENOTHE), and the Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, 50139, Italy

    Paola Romagnani

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  1. Paola Romagnani
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Correspondence to Paola Romagnani.

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Romagnani, P. Modelling polycystic kidney disease. Nature Mater 16, 1058–1059 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat5013

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