The Kidney, Volume 7 in the Stem Cell Innovation in Health and Disease series explores the emerging potential of stem cell therapies in treating kidney diseases. With their natural regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties, stem cells offer a promising approach to restoring essential kidney functions and mitigating damage. This volume highlights how stem cell therapies may modulate immune responses, promote tissue repair, and replace damaged kidney cells, offering hope for chronic and acute renal conditions. Key developments include the injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into damaged kidneys, where they can differentiate into kidney cell types and aid in healing. Urine-derived stem cells have also shown significant potential in improving kidney function in preclinical studies. Additionally, innovative techniques like incorporating MSCs into compact dialysis machines are being explored, enabling delivery of pro-repair factors directly to the kidneys during blood filtration. While there are currently no FDA-approved stem cell treatments for kidney diseases, ongoing clinical trials aim to evaluate their safety and efficacy. This volume compiles cutting-edge research, discussing various cell sources, underlying mechanisms, observed therapeutic outcomes, and the practical challenges of clinical translation. By presenting a clear picture of current advances and future directions, The Kidney serves as a vital resource for scientists, clinicians, and health innovators seeking to harness stem cell technology in nephrology.
Table of Contents
1. Stem cell-based kidney organoid culture system as innovative model of kidney development and diseases2. Innovative therapeutic gene editing technologies (e.g. CRISPR/Cas9 systems) in stem cell engineering, kidney disorders and diseases
3. Role of genetically modified animal models in kidney diseases and disorders
4. Advances in stem cell-based therapy of kidney diseases and disorders
5. The potential of amniotic fluid derived stem cells (AFSCs) in kidney diseases and disorders
6. Applications of mesenchymal stem cell related therapies for kidney diseases and disorders
7. The use of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in kidney disorders and diseases
8. The gold standard iPSC-derived cells and technology in modeling kidney diseases and disorders
9. Roles of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMDSCs) in kidney injury, repair and diseases
10. General Discussion, Conclusion Remark and Future Direction
Authors
Ahmed El-Hashash Endowed Chair, Distinguished Professor, University of North Carolina, USA. Dr. Ahmed Hashash is currently Endowed Chair and Distinguished Professor at Elizabeth City State University, campus of the University of North Carolina (UNC). He received his PhD from Manchester University, UK. Dr. Hashash was a fellow of the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and New York University Medical School (MSSM), USA. He was Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine at School of Medicine University of California, USA. Dr Hashash was Associate Professor of Biomedicine at the University of Edinburgh (UK) Zhejiang Intl. campus and Texas A &M University, USA from 2017 to 2025. He has published more than 40 papers in reputed international journals, 10 books with Elsevier and Springer and over 20 book chapters, and is serving as an editorial board member of repute. Magdy Elhefnawy Physician Consultant, Internal Medicine, Tanta University Hospital, Egypt.Dr Elhefnawy studied doctor degree in nephrology at Claude Bernard University (Lyon-France). He was the president of Gharbia medical syndicate, Egypt for several years. He served as House officer and Resident of Internal Medicine at Tanta University Hospital, Egypt. He is consultant of Nephrology at Menshawi Hospital of Tanta University, Egypt.
Kamal M. Okasha Vice President, Postgraduate Studies and Research, Tanta University, Egypt. Dr Okasha was a fellow of nephrology and renal transplantation in the department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Royal University Hospital, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada. Dr Okasha is currently a Professor of Internal Medicine and Nephrology at Tanta University, Egypt. He has wide spectrum knowledge of clinical nephrology, renal replacement therapy, aphesis therapy, renal biopsy hypertension and pre- renal transplant work up of chronic renal failure patients and post-transplant follow up renal transplant. Dr Okasah received his M.D. degree of Internal Medicine in 2000. He served as a house officer and resident of internal medicine at Tanta University Hospital since 1988.
