Human iPSC-derived glomeruli provide an advanced model to interrogate podocyte biology and accurately recapitulate podocytopathy

Podocytes are highly specialised cells within the glomeruli of the kidney that maintain the filtration barrier by forming interdigitating foot processes and slit-diaphragms. Disruption to these features result in proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis. Studies into podocyte biology and disease have previously relied on conditionally immortalised cell lines due to the non- proliferative nature of this cell type. Here we describe an advanced model to study both podocyte and glomerular biology using isolated glomeruli from kidney organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells. Gene expression profiling of day three 17, 21 and 26 day kidney organoid derived glomeruli respectively with heterzygous genotype for BFP tagged MAFB; gene expression profiling of three day 25 kidney organoid derived glomeruli; gene expression profiling of three organoid-derived podocytes grown out for 3 days from day 25 kidney organoid derived glomeruli.