Kidney Epithelial Cells: A Crucial Tool for Nephrology Research in Drug Discover

Kidneys have an essential role to play in body homeostasis and eliminating body waste. It has been a vital focus for understanding how the drugs interact and affect them. Once they enter the bloodstream, the kidneys are responsible for clearing them out of the system. Even before we move to animal models or preclinical studies, it is necessary to test them on epithelial cells (EC). Primary human kidney epithelial cells are being used to provide a robust in vitro platform to model various renal functions. These cells are essential for not only mimicking the kidney's complex microenvironment. With physiological conditions similar, researchers can get biologically relevant data on how the drug is interacting. To better understand the role of kidney epithelial cells in nephrology studies, let's take a look at their importance and the difference between epithelial and endothelial cells.

Kidney Epithelial Cells in Nephrology Research

Well, we have several types of EC in the kidney (16 to be specific). The epithelial cells come from various parts of the kidney, including:

• Proximal tubule

• Proximal tubule

• Loop of Henle

• Distal tubule

Each tissue type provides varying types of kidney epithelial cells. Most of the time we do not have to find specific epithelial tissues in the kidney. Rather, we use a heterogeneous mixture of EC. Like renal cells in the proximal tubule, which uses both convoluted and straight proximal tubule cells. These cells are pivotal in various physiological and pathological investigations. Let's look at a few of them in the list below:

1. Nephrotoxicity Studies

It has been reported that drug-induced nephrotoxicity is responsible for up to 25% of acute kidney disease. The main reason is that they accumulate in kidneys as they can't filter them. This has demonstrated a tendency for cell toxicity. Researchers have used human renal proximal tubule EC to look into how drugs like streptozotocin and tenofovir hurt the kidneys.

2. Renal Transport Mechanisms

Renal EC exhibit essential transporters such as P-glycoprotein, human organic anion transporter 1, and human organic cation transporter 2. These are crucial for evaluating the ADME characteristics of pharmaceuticals. Studying these cells is essential for recognizing drug-drug interactions and guaranteeing proper dosage.

3. Disease Modeling and Biomarker Discovery

These cells are essential for mimicking disorders such as diabetic nephropathy and renal malignancies. Researchers can replicate pathophysiological circumstances by subjecting cells to glucose or poisons. This allows them to comprehend the first alterations that result in the recognition of biomarkers. Upon identification of these indicators, they may be used to explore prospective treatment targets.

Key Differences Between Epithelial and Endothelial Cells

Understanding the distinction between epithelial and endothelial cells is crucial for selecting the right cell type for specific nephrological studies.

While ECs focus on tubular reabsorption and secretion, endothelial cells play a supporting role in vascular interactions within the kidney. Kosheeka provides both cell types, ensuring researchers have access to reliable, high-quality models for comprehensive nephrology research.

Supporting Research Excellence in India

Kosheeka’s robust catalog of renal cells includes:

1. Human Renal Proximal Tubule Epithelial Cells (RPTECs):
   Ideal for studying renal transporters and DIN. They mimic the nephron's proximal tubules, a common site for drug accumulation.

2. Renal Cortical EC:
   Sourced from the kidney cortex, these cells are suited for osmoregulation and broader nephrology applications.

3. Renal Endothelial Cells:
   Crucial for modeling kidney vasculature and understanding endothelial-epithelial interactions.

Kosheeka’s BSL-2 certified facilities ensure the highest safety and ethical standards in cell isolation and expansion. Moreover, their GMP and ISO compliance guarantees the quality and reproducibility of experiments, empowering Indian researchers to produce globally competitive results.

Applications of Kidney Epithelial Cells in Advanced Research

1. In Vitro Toxicity Testing:

Kidney epithelial cells form tight junctions and express transporters, making them suitable for 3D cultures that replicate in vivo environments. These systems reduce reliance on animal models, addressing ethical concerns and improving clinical relevance.

2. Renal Drug Transport Studies:

RPTECs are used to test whether drugs act as substrates or inhibitors of renal transporters. For example, research using RPTECs has elucidated how Cobicistat interacts with Tenofovir, highlighting potential drug-drug interactions.

3. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress Studies:

Studies on ER stress, such as those using Streptozotocin, showcase how chemical exposures perturb cellular homeostasis, offering insights into kidney protection strategies.

4. Cancer and Transplant Models:

Kidney epithelial cells help simulate renal carcinomas and assess transplant compatibility, advancing precision medicine.

Conclusion

The rise in kidney diseases really highlights how crucial it is to step up our research game with better tools. Kidney epithelial cells are super important for research in nephrology. These cells are totally game-changers, helping us break down transporter mechanisms and model nephrotoxicity for some seriously innovative research. If you're an Indian researcher on the hunt for top-notch primary kidney cells, Kosheeka is definitely a name you can trust. We've got a ton of primary cells for research, including some really high-quality kidney epithelial cells. We’re super committed, and you can totally see that in our BSL-2-certified lab, which follows GMP and ISO standards.