Evaluation of proliferation and functional differentiation of LLC-PK1 cells on porous polymer membranes for the development of a bioartificial renal tubule device.

To develop a bioartificial renal tubule system using renal tubular cells and porous polymer membrane hollow fibers, long-term maintenance of a confluent monolayer and the functionally differentiated condition of cells is essential. We examined the proliferation and functional differentiation of LLC-PK1 (Lewis-lung cancer porcine kidney 1) cells on two types of membranes: polysulfone and cellulose acetate. Cell proliferation was significantly higher on the polysulfone membrane than on the cellulose acetate membrane, and was enhanced by coating the membranes with various extracellular matrices.

Evaluation of long-term transport ability of a bioartificial renal tubule device using LLC-PK1 cells.

Background: Haemodialysis therapy does not provide renal tubule function, such as active fluid and solute transport, nor metabolic or endocrine action. Moreover, this treatment is usually associated with serious complications and high mortality. We constructed a bioartificial renal tubule device by using renal tubule epithelial cells in an artificial membrane, and evaluated transport properties of the device for 2 weeks.

Transcellular water transport and stability of expression in aquaporin 1-transfected LLC-PK1 cells in the development of a portable bioartificial renal tubule device.

We investigated a portable bioartificial renal tubule device (BRTD) consisting of renal tubule cells and hollow fibers, to improve the quality of life of patients. It is necessary for a BRTD system to be compact. A compact portable BRTB requires transfection of an appropriate water channel or electrical pump genes in tubular epithelial cells, which should be based on physiological similarities to human kidney function.

A new mouse model for renal lesions produced by intravenous injection of diphtheria toxin A-chain expression plasmid.

Background: Various animal models of renal failure have been produced and used to investigate mechanisms underlying renal disease and develop therapeutic drugs. Most methods available to produce such models appear to involve subtotal nephrectomy or intravenous administration of antibodies raised against basement membrane of glomeruli. In this study, we developed a novel method to produce mouse models of renal failure by intravenous injection of a plasmid carrying a toxic gene such as diphtheria toxin A-chain (DT-A) gene.