The Utility of Human Kidney Organoids in Modeling Kidney Disease

Summary: The formation of three-dimensional kidney tissue (organoids) from human pluripotent stem cell lines provides a valuable tool to examine kidney function in an in vitro model and could be used for regenerative medicine approaches. Kidney organoids have the potential to model kidney diseases and congenital defects, be used for drug development, and to further our understanding of acute kidney injury, fibrosis, and chronic kidney disease. In this review, we examine the current stage of pluripotent stem cell–derived kidney organoid technology, challenges, shortcomings, and regenerative potential of kidney organoids in the future.