Improving human kidney function in renovascular disease with mesenchymal stem cell therapy

A dose escalation study of adipose-derived human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy was studied in 21 subjects. This dose escalation study confirmed no significant cellular toxicity, but it showed improvement in renal oxygenation and glomerular filtration rate. No significant renal toxicity from cell therapy was shown. A reduction in inflammatory markers including tumor necrosis factor-a, interferon-g, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin was noted in subjects receiving MSC therapy. This study provides short-term safety and renal efficacy for MSC therapy and paves the way forward for future MSC-based interventions in renovascular disease.