Gene expression profiling of human iPS cell-derived podocytes and sorted human adult podocytes

Podocytes play an important filtration role in the kidney. We examined culture condition for efficient podocyte induction and established a method to selectively induce podocytes from human iPS cells. To understand how expression profiles of human iPS cell-derived podocytes were close to that in vivo, we isolated human adult podocytes for human adult kidney. Purified RNAs from human iPS cells, nephron progenitor cells, human immortalized podocyte cell line, human iPS cell-derived podocytes, and sorted human adult podocytes were analyzed by RNA-seq. Nephron progenitor cells from human iPS cells by the defined protocol, followed by the induction of podocytes by the newly established protocol. Human adult podocytes were sorted as Nephrin/Podocalyxin-positive population from the normal part of human adult kidney of nephrectomy patients with normal kidney function, whereas human non-podocytes were sorted as Nephrin/Podocalyxin-negative population. The immortalized human podocyte cell line were purchased from Bristol University and cultured under their published protocol. Podocyte mRNA profiles of these cells were examined.