Apical-out proximal tubule organoid

This project established basal-in, apical-out proximal tubule organoids to study proteinuria in a more physiologically consistent manner. Organoids successfully formed around a minimal Matrigel scaffold, and were maintained in culture for 90+ days. The proximal tubule organoids exhibited good basolateral polarization, and showed upregulation of maturity markers over time, and in comparison to 2D cultures. To assess protein uptake, fluorescent albumin was placed in the surrounding media, facing the apical surface, and organoids demonstrated functional protein uptake even at 90 days. To mimic proteinuric conditions, organoids were exposed to human serum albumin and secreted kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), a common biomarker for kidney injury, in both dose- and time-dependent manners