Stem cell-based therapies are promising for the treatment of various kidney
diseases. MSCs have conferred protective and regenerative effects on renal cells.
However, the major hurdle encountered is the delivery of a sufficient number of MSCs
to the kidney to achieve therapeutic benefits. Several injection routes have been utilised
to deliver cells to the kidney parenchyma. Only a small proportion of MSCs journey to
the kidney when the systemic route is employed. Direct delivery routes, like renal
artery injection, are promising but require surgery. Other cell delivery methods include
kidney capsule injection, intraperitoneal delivery and intraparenchymal administration.
Recently, a minimally invasive renal artery injection was also implemented to promote
the delivery of a significant number of transplanted cells to the kidney. Several clinical
trials have been performed using MSCs from different sources for the treatment of
kidney diseases. The limited results available from clinical studies show that MSCs
administration for the management of kidney diseases is safe and feasible.
Keywords: Acute kidney injury, Cell delivery, Cell therapy, Chronic kidney
disease, Clinical trials, Decellularised kidney, Diabetic nephropathy, Extracellular
vesicles, Induced pluripotent stem cells, Intraparenchymal administration,
Intraperitoneal injection, Intravenous delivery, Ischemia/reperfusion injury,
Kidney, Kidney capsule, Kidney transplantation, Mesenchymal stromal/stem
cells, Preclinical studies, Renal function, Repair and regeneration.
