Mouse adult renal progenitor cells in combination with erythropoietin or suramin--a potential new strategy for the treatment of acute kidney injury.

Experimental evidence has indicated a role of adult renal progenitor cells in kidney regeneration and a protective role of the kidney by erythropoietin (EPO) and suramin in animal models and in humans after acute kidney injury (AKI). Han and colleagues analyzed different therapeutic effects between mouse renal progenitor cells (MRPCs), MRPC/EPO, or MRPC/suramin on the regeneration and protection of renal function after AKI. Their results revealed that MRPCs in combination with EPO or suramin are able to attenuate renal damage and promote renal recovery after ischemia/reperfusion injury in a mouse model. The researchers concluded that the combined approach with MRPCs and EPO or suramin could be a new therapeutic strategy for AKI.