Assessing the Live Decellularized Renal Microvasculature Post-Transplantation using Intravital Microscopy

Transplantation is the ideal solution for end-stage renal failure, but the growing mismatch between organ supply and demand accentuates the need for alternative solutions like the bioartificial kidney. Several approaches to developing this technology have been demonstrated, and whole organ decellularization appears to be a promising methodology. One major challenge to this strategy is maintaining vascular integrity and functionality post-transplantation. Most models to examine the microvasculature have primarily utilized in vitro or in vivo techniques that are incapable of providing adequate spatial and temporal resolution. Here, we show that decellularized scaffolds orthotopically transplanted into rats initially retain microvascular structure in vivo using intravital two-photon microscopy, as previously identified in vitro. Large molecular weight dextran molecules also provide real-time evidence of the onset of ischemia and increases in microvascular permeability, support substantial translocation of dextran macromolecules from glomerular and peritubular capillary tracks as early as 12 hours after transplantation. Macromolecular extravasation continued across a week, at which time the decellularized microarchitecture was significantly compromised. These results indicate that a in vivo method capable of tracking microvascular integrity represents a powerful interdisciplinary approach for studying scaffold viability and identifying ways to promote scaffold longevity and angiogenesis in bioartificial organs.

The Influence of OAT1 Density and Functionality on Indoxyl Sulfate Transport in the Human Proximal Tubule: An Integrated Computational and In Vitro Study

Research has shown that traditional dialysis is an insufficient long-term therapy for patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease due to the high retention of uremic toxins in the blood as a result of the absence of the active transport functionality of the proximal tubule (PT). The PT’s function is defined by the epithelial membrane transporters, which have an integral role in toxin clearance. However, the intricate PT transporter–toxin interactions are not fully explored, and it is challenging to decouple their effects in toxin removal in vitro. Computational models are necessary to unravel and quantify the toxin–transporter interactions and develop an alternative therapy to dialysis. This includes the bioartificial kidney, where the hollow dialysis fibers are covered with kidney epithelial cells. In this integrated experimental–computational study, we developed a PT computational model that focuses on indoxyl sulfate (IS) transport by organic anionic transporter 1 (OAT1), capturing the transporter density in detail along the basolateral cell membrane as well as the activity of the transporter and the inward boundary flux. The unknown parameter values of the OAT1 density , IS uptake (, and dissociation ( were fitted and validated with experimental LC-MS/MS time-series data of the IS concentration. The computational model was expanded to incorporate albumin conformational changes present in uremic patients. The results suggest that IS removal in the physiological model was influenced mainly by transporter density and IS dissociation rate from OAT1 and not by the initial albumin concentration. While in uremic conditions considering albumin conformational changes, the rate-limiting factors were the transporter density and IS uptake rate, which were followed closely by the albumin-binding rate and IS dissociation rate. In summary, the results of this study provide an exciting avenue to help understand the toxin–transporter complexities in the PT and make better-informed decisions on bioartificial kidney designs and the underlining transporter-related issues in uremic patients.