Stem cells in regenerative processes: Induced pluripotent stem cells

Abstract Recent kidney regeneration research using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has made significant progress. By mimicking the developmental processes of the kidney, human iPSCs can be differentiated stepwise into two major embryonic kidney progenitors, nephron progenitor cells (NPCs) and ureteric bud (UB) cells, which can form nephron and UB organoids, respectively. Furthermore, by combining the two progenitors, kidney organoids can be generated, in which glomeruli, renal tubules, and collecting ducts are interconnected. Cell therapies using human iPSC-derived NPCs ameliorate acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice. Using human iPSC-derived kidney lineage cells and organoids, models for inherited kidney disorders have been generated for the pathological analysis and drug discovery. This chapter summarizes the current status and future perspectives of research on the directed differentiation of iPSCs into kidney lineages and its applications, such as cell therapies, kidney reconstruction, and disease modeling.