The University of Queensland

Melissa Little

Minoru Takasato

A method is provided for producing renal organoids comprising nephrons, ureteric bud and vasculature and/or progenitors of these. In one embodiment, the methods includes contacting intermediate mesoderm cells with: fibroblast growth factor 9 and/or fibroblast growth factor 20 and/or fibroblast growth factor 2 and optionally, one or more selected from the group consisting of: bone morphogenic protein 7; heparin; a Wnt agonist; retinoic acid; and an RA antagonist under conditions that promote formation of vascularized renal organoids. Another embodiment includes producing mesoderm cells by sequentially contacting pluripotent stem cells with a Wnt agonist and fibroblast growth factor 9 and/or fibroblast growth factor 20 and/or fibroblast growth factor 2, followed by a relatively short re-exposure to the Wnt agonist. The renal organoids may have end uses such as for kidney repair and regeneration, bioprinting of kidneys or functional components thereof, renal cell arrays and screening compounds for nephrotoxicity.

Differentiation of pluripotent stem cells to form renal organoids

A method is provided for simultaneously producing both nephron progenitor cells and ureteric epithelial progenitor cells including the step of contacting intermediate mesoderm cells with: fibroblast growth factor 9 and/or fibroblast growth factor 20 and optionally, one or more selected from the group consisting of: bone morphogenic protein 7; heparin; a Wnt agonist; retinoic acid; and an RA antagonist. The concentrations of Wnt agonist, retinoic acid and/or RA antagonist may be manipulated to favour the relative production of nephron progenitor cells and ureteric epithelial progenitor cells. The intermediate mesoderm cells are ultimately derived from human pluripotent stem cells via a posterior primitive streak stage. The nephron progenitor cells and ureteric epithelial progenitor cells may have end uses such as for kidney repair and regeneration, bioprinting of kidneys and screening compounds for nephrotoxicity.

Renal progenitor cells

A method is provided for simultaneously producing both nephron progenitor cells and ureteric epithelial progenitor cells including the step of contacting intermediate mesoderm cells with: fibroblast growth factor (9) and/or fibroblast growth factor (20) and optionally, one or more selected from the group consisting of. bone morphogenic protein 7; heparin: a Wnt agonist; retinoic acid; and an RA antagonist. The concentrations of Writ agonist, retinoic acid and/or RA antagonist may be manipulated to favour the relative production of nephron progenitor cells and ureteric epithelial progenitor cells. The intermediate mesoderm cells are ultimately derived from human pluripotent stem cells via a posterior primitive streak stage. The nephron progenitor cells and ureteric epithelial progenitor cells may have end uses such as for kidney repair and regeneration, bioprinting of kidneys and screening compounds for nephrotoxicity.

Growing community of inventors

Queensland, Australia

Melissa Little