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Stem celll therapy in experimental chronic nephropathy: is it possible to block the progression of renal disease?

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Author(s):
Rita de Cássia Cavaglieri
Total Authors: 1
Document type: Master's Dissertation
Press: São Paulo.
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
Defense date:
Examining board members:
Irene de Lourdes Noronha; Mario Abbud Filho; Niels Olsen Saraiva Câmara
Advisor: Irene de Lourdes Noronha
Abstract

Stem cells (SCs) offer therapeutic potential for the treatment of renal diseases, due to the possibility of tissue regeneration and functional recovery. Various studies have shown renoprotection by SCs in experimental models of acute kidney disease. However, only a few studies have studied their effect in chronic kidney disease. The beneficial effect of SCs seems related to their capacity to differentiate or to secrete paracrine/endocrine factors. In this context, the inoculation route or the number of SCs homing in the injured region can play a crucial role. Therefore, transplantation of MSC through the intravenous route does not seem to be best suited for delivery of an important number of cells to the target organ. An alternative technique consists in local delivery of SCs in the subcapsular region of the kidney. The objective of the present study is to analyze the migration, distribution and potential renoprotective effect of the subcapsular inoculation of two types of SC - BSMC and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) - in an experimental model of chronic kidney disease, the 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx). SCs were collected from the femur and tibia of donor rats by flushing. BSMC were isolated by centrifugation on a concentration gradient and MSCs were isolated by their capacity to adhere to plastic. Both types of SC were stained with DAPI to allow visualization in tissues. SC characterization was carried out by flow cytometry and differentiation in culture. Two experimental procedures were performed. In protocol I, BSMC (106 cells) were injected in female rats and in protocol II, MSCs (2x105 cells) were injected in male rats. Animals were divided into 4 groups: SHAM, sham-operated rats; SHAM+SC, sham-operated rats receiving BSMC or MSCs; Nx, rats undergoing 5/6 nephrectomy; Nx+SC, 5/6 Nx rats receiving BSMC or MSCs. We used Massons Trichrome staining and a semiquantitative analysis according to the degree of infiltration to follow the localization of BSMC in the renal tissue and to quantify their infiltration, respectively. The following parameters were studied: arterial blood pressure (AP), proteinuria (Uprot), albuminuria (Ualb) and serum creatinine (Screat). For the animals receiving SCs, analysis of histology, of inflammatory markers, of proliferating cells and of podocytes was performed. Results from Protocol I assessing DAPI-stained BSMC showed marked infiltration in 5 days from the subcapsular region to the cortex and the medulla, including presence in the glomeruli, over a period of 15 days. Female rats that received subcapsular injection of BSMC did not show improvement of the parameters used to assess kidney function. Protocol II: cultured MSCs demonstrated an ability to adhere to plastic, to grow in colonies and to differentiate in osteogenic cells. Quantitative analysis of cell markers by flow cytometry showed that isolated cells were positive for CD44 and CD90, with a small population of cells positive for CD31, CD34 and CD45, confirming a preponderant presence of MSCs. Inoculation of MSCs in Nx rats blocked the progression of the renal disease. Elevated AP in Nx rats at 15 and 30 days (149.6 ± 9.1 and 191.7 ± 2.8 mm Hg, respectively) was significantly reduced by inoculation of MSCs at 30 days (145.2 ± 6.8 mm Hg, p<0.05 vs Nx). Nx rats showed increased creatinine at 15 and 30 days (1.13 ± 0.08 and 1.16 ± 0.26 mg/dL, respectively) that was significantly reduced by injection of MSCs at 15 days (0.58 ± 0.03 mg/dL, p<0.05 vs Nx). Albuminuria was increased in Nx rats at 15 and 30 days (41.7 ± 10.8 and 138.7 ± 33.6 mg/24h, respectively) and was reduced in the Nx+MSC group at both time points (4.6 ± 1.5, and 23.4 ± 7.7 mg/24h, respectively; p<0.0001 vs Nx). Histologic analysis showed that glomerulosclerosis at 30 days in the Nx+MSC group was significantly reduced as compared to the Nx group (5.4 ± 2.5 % vs 22.0 ± 6.1 %, p<0.0001). Analysis of interstitial fibrosis did not show difference after 15 and 30 days in the Nx+MSC group compared to Nx group. Nx rats receiving MSCs showed slightly decreased inflammation markers, macrophages and lymphocytes, and proliferating cells in the renal tissue when compared to Nx rats. Analysis of myofibroblasts showed a significant decrease in expression of -smooth muscle actin in Nx+MSC rats compared to Nx rats. Podocyte number was analyzed by detection of WT-1, a specific marker. Nx rats receiving MSC had a significantly higher number of podocytes than Nx rats. In conclusion, our results show that after inoculation in the subcapsular region, SCs migrate throughout the cortex in direction of the medulla. Subcapsular inoculation of MSC provides a renoprotective effect in the model of 5/6 nephrectomy. Therefore, subcapsular inoculation could represent an important route of delivery of SCs to the kidney that allows a higher number of cells to act in the protection from progression of the disease. (AU)