Researchers have come one step closer to developing a bioartificial kidney by producing the “living membrane” portion of the kidney. The latest in the development is set to be presented at American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2016.

For the millions of patients suffering from renal failure, the only approach to treatment is waiting on the donor list while undergoing dialysis. In an effort to expand methods of treatment, researchers have begun to develop a bioartificial kidney. Building a kidney is easier said than done, though, and development takes innovation, investment and time.

Lead by Dimitrios Stamatialis, PhD, of the Netherlands' University of Twente, and Roos Masereeuw, PhD, of the University of Utrecht, also in the Netherlands, the team of researchers have developed a major piece to the bioartificial kidney puzzle. The development of the “living membrane," the cell layer of the kidney on an artificial membrane that transports molecules. Using conditionally immortalized human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (ciPTEC) on polyethersulfone-based hollow fiber membranes, the membrane functions as the “living membrane” of the kidney.

"This study shows the successful development of a living membrane consisting of a reproducible ciPTEC monolayer on hollow fiber membranes, an important step towards the development of a bioartificial kidney device," said Stamatialis. "The strategies and methods of this work could be relevant to the development of other bioartificial organs, such as a bioartificial liver or bioartificial pancreas, and organs on chips—such as a kidney on chip, a lung on chip or a liver on chip."