Urine-derived stem cell extracellular vesicles promote recovery from acute kidney injury in mice and human kidney organoids

American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Edward T Qian, Julie Bejoy, Richard C. Welch, Justin M. Farry, Jack Hartert, Jean‐Philippe Cartailler, Katherine N. Gibson-Corley, Matthew H. Wilson, Lauren E. Woodard
DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00304.2025
Cited by: 1
References: 80

Abstract

Urine-derived stem cell extracellular vesicles (USC-EVs) increased proliferation while lowering apoptosis and lipid peroxidation in human kidney cells and organoids treated with toxic chemotherapy. In the acute kidney injury (AKI) model mice, we found lowered inflammation, tubular dilation, casts, and kidney injury marker neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) with USC-EV treatment. The USC-EVs carry microRNA cargo that bioinformatic tools predict will affect multiple pathways, including the MAPK cascade. Altogether, our results suggest that USC-EVs may improve recovery from AKI.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Extracellular vesicles in disease Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Renal and related cancers

Publication details

Journal / source
American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Volume
331
Issue
2
Pages
F100–F117
Publication date
1 June 2026
Language
EN