The therapeutic effect of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSs) on the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has not yet been\ndemonstrated. In this study, we sought to assess whether treatment with iPSs retards progression of CKD when compared with\nbone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Untreated 5/6 nephrectomized rats were compared with CKD animals\nreceiving BMSCs or iPSs. Renal function, histology, immunohistochemistry, and gene expression were studied. Implanted iPSs\nwere tracked by the SRY gene expression analysis. Both treatments minimized elevation in serum creatinine, significantly\nimproved clearance, and slowed down progression of disease. The proteinuria was reduced only in the iPS group. Both\ntreatments reduced glomerulosclerosis, iPSs decreased macrophage infiltration, and TGF-�² was reduced in kidneys from the\nBMSC group. Both types of treatments increased VEGF gene expression, TGF-�² was upregulated only in the iPS group,\nand IL-10 had low expression in both groups. The SRY gene was found in 5/8 rats treated with iPSs. These 5 animals presented\ntumors with histology and cells highly staining positive for PCNA and Wilmsâ�� tumor protein antibody characteristics of Wilmsâ��\ntumor. These results suggest that iPSs may be efficient to retard progression of CKD but carry the risk of Wilmsâ�� tumor development.
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