Transplantation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells through renal artery in repair of acute tubular necrosis in nude mice

Objective:To investigate whether transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)through renal arteries can protect kidney from acute tubular necrosis(ATN),so as to lay a foundation for MSC transplantation in treatment of ATN.Methods:Five-week-old nude mice were randomly divided into three groups:normal control group(n=10),acute tubular necrosis(ATN)model group without(n=10)and with MSCs treatment group(n=11).ATN nude mice were induced with 50% glycerin.MSCs labeled with enhanced green fluorescent proteins(EGFP)were injected into kidney through renal arteries.Serum creatinine was determined in all groups and pathological changes of renal tissues were detected using H-E staining.The amount and distribution of the EGFP-marked MSCs in renal tissues were determined with fluorescence microscope.Results:Degeneration and exfoliation of renal tubular epithelial cells,and even renal tubular tamponade with cast-off cells were observed in the ATN group;these pathological changes were mainly located at renal cortex and juncture of renal cortex and medulla.The damages were greatly alleviated in the ATN+MSCs transplantation group,with no swelling of epithelial cells,nuclear condensation or edema.Fourteen days after MSCs transplantation,EGFP positive cells were increased in renal tubules of recipient mice.Conclusion:The MSCs transplantation via renal artery can locate in renal tubular epithelium,and promote the repair of injured renal tubular epithelial cells.