Differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells to renal tubular epithelial cells

Objective To detect whether adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMCSs)can differentiate into renal tubular epithelial cells and be used for treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI).Methods ADMSCs were separated and cultured in vitro,and were transfected with lentivirus carrying reporter genes of firefly luciferase and monomeric red fluorescent protein (fluc-mrfp).Transfected ADMCSs (2 × l06) were directly injected into renal parenchyma after establishment of AKI models induced by ischemic reperfusion injury.Distribution and differentiation of ADMSCs in rats were detected by bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and immunofluorescent staining,respectively.Results ADMSCs had positive expressions of CD29 and CD90,rather than expressions of CD34,CD45 and CD31.Lentivirus-transduced ADMSCs had stable expressions of mrfp and fluc reporter genes.BLI showed persistent fluorescence signal in vivo even at day 14 after ADMSCs transplantation.Immunofluorescence staining further indicated that the transplanted ADMSCs could differentiate into tubular epithelial cells.Conclusion ADMSCs in vivo can differentiate into renal tubular epithelial cells,which provides an experimental basis for more researches on ADMSCs transplantation for treatment of AKI. Key words: Stem cells; Kidney tubules; Epithelial cells