Renal cell-derived extracellular vesicles as a modulator of tubuloid functional maturation

Tubuloids are adult stem cell-based kidney organoids with promising application in kidney disease modelling and drug screening. However, tubuloids still present limited transepithelial transport capacity, which is essential for the kidney’s function. The extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived vesicular structures known to regulate several cellular processes, including development and maturation. This study explores the potential of EVs derived from renal cells to support tubuloid functional maturation by increasing the levels of organic anion transport 1 (OAT1), a protein involved in renal waste handling.