Improved Isolation and Culture of Urine-Derived Stem Cells (USCs) and Enhanced Production of Immune Cells from the USC-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

The availability of autologous adult stem cells is one of the essential prerequisites for human stem cell therapy. Urine-derived stem cells (USCs) are considered as desirable cell sources for cell therapy because donor-specific USCs are easily and non-invasively obtained from urine. Efficient isolation, expansion, and differentiation methods of USCs are necessary to increase their availability. Here, we developed a method for efficient isolation and expansion of USCs using Matrigel, and the rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, Y-27632. The prepared USCs showed significantly enhanced migration, colony forming capacity, and differentiation into osteogenic or chondrogenic lineage. The USCs were successfully reprogramed into induced pluripotent stem cells (USC-iPSCs) and further differentiated into kidney organoid and hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs). Using flavonoid molecules, the isolation efficiency of USCs and the production of HPCs from the USC-iPSCs was increased. Taken together, we present an improved isolation method of USCs utilizing Matrigel, a ROCK inhibitor and flavonoids, and enhanced differentiation of USC-iPSC to HPC by flavonoids. These novel findings could significantly enhance the use of USCs and USC-iPSCs for stem cell research and further application in regenerative stem cell-based therapies.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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