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Sinha R, Rocco MV, Daeihagh P, Staples AE. Innovating dialysis through computational modelling of hollow-fibre haemodialysers. Nat Rev Nephrol 2024; 20:269-270. [PMID: 38438536 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-024-00826-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruhit Sinha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| | - Michael V Rocco
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Pirouz Daeihagh
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Anne E Staples
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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Faria J, Ahmed S, Stamatialis D, Verhaar MC, Masereeuw R, Gerritsen KGF, Mihăilă SM. Bioengineered Kidney Tubules Efficiently Clear Uremic Toxins in Experimental Dialysis Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12435. [PMID: 37569805 PMCID: PMC10419568 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) suffer from high levels of protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) that contribute to various comorbidities. Conventional dialysis methods are ineffective in removing these PBUTs. A potential solution could be offered by a bioartificial kidney (BAK) composed of porous membranes covered by proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs) that actively secrete PBUTs. However, BAK development is currently being hampered by a lack of knowledge regarding the cytocompatibility of the dialysis fluid (DF) that comes in contact with the PTECs. Here, we conducted a comprehensive functional assessment of the DF on human conditionally immortalized PTECs (ciPTECs) cultured as monolayers in well plates, on Transwell® inserts, or on hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) that form functional units of a BAK. We evaluated cell viability markers, monolayer integrity, and PBUT clearance. Our results show that exposure to DF did not affect ciPTECs' viability, membrane integrity, or function. Seven anionic PBUTs were efficiently cleared from the perfusion fluid containing a PBUTs cocktail or uremic plasma, an effect which was enhanced in the presence of albumin. Overall, our findings support that the DF is cytocompatible and does not compromise ciPTECs function, paving the way for further advancements in BAK development and its potential clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Faria
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; (J.F.); (S.A.); (R.M.)
| | - Sabbir Ahmed
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; (J.F.); (S.A.); (R.M.)
| | - Dimitrios Stamatialis
- Advanced Organ Bioengineering and Therapeutics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands;
| | - Marianne C. Verhaar
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.C.V.); (K.G.F.G.)
| | - Rosalinde Masereeuw
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; (J.F.); (S.A.); (R.M.)
| | - Karin G. F. Gerritsen
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; (M.C.V.); (K.G.F.G.)
| | - Silvia M. Mihăilă
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; (J.F.); (S.A.); (R.M.)
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Ramada DL, de Vries J, Vollenbroek J, Noor N, Ter Beek O, Mihăilă SM, Wieringa F, Masereeuw R, Gerritsen K, Stamatialis D. Portable, wearable and implantable artificial kidney systems: needs, opportunities and challenges. Nat Rev Nephrol 2023:10.1038/s41581-023-00726-9. [PMID: 37277461 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-023-00726-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Haemodialysis is life sustaining but expensive, provides limited removal of uraemic solutes, is associated with poor patient quality of life and has a large carbon footprint. Innovative dialysis technologies such as portable, wearable and implantable artificial kidney systems are being developed with the aim of addressing these issues and improving patient care. An important challenge for these technologies is the need for continuous regeneration of a small volume of dialysate. Dialysate recycling systems based on sorbents have great potential for such regeneration. Novel dialysis membranes composed of polymeric or inorganic materials are being developed to improve the removal of a broad range of uraemic toxins, with low levels of membrane fouling compared with currently available synthetic membranes. To achieve more complete therapy and provide important biological functions, these novel membranes could be combined with bioartificial kidneys, which consist of artificial membranes combined with kidney cells. Implementation of these systems will require robust cell sourcing; cell culture facilities annexed to dialysis centres; large-scale, low-cost production; and quality control measures. These challenges are not trivial, and global initiatives involving all relevant stakeholders, including academics, industrialists, medical professionals and patients with kidney disease, are required to achieve important technological breakthroughs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Loureiro Ramada
- Advanced Organ bioengineering and Therapeutics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, P.O Box 217, 7500, AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Joost de Vries
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Vollenbroek
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- BIOS Lab on a Chip Group, MESA + Institute, University of Twente, Hallenweg 15, 7522, NH Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Nazia Noor
- Advanced Organ bioengineering and Therapeutics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, P.O Box 217, 7500, AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Odyl Ter Beek
- Advanced Organ bioengineering and Therapeutics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, P.O Box 217, 7500, AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Silvia M Mihăilă
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fokko Wieringa
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Autonomous Therapeutics, IMEC, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- European Kidney Health Alliance (EKHA), WG3 "Breakthrough Innovation", Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rosalinde Masereeuw
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Karin Gerritsen
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dimitrios Stamatialis
- Advanced Organ bioengineering and Therapeutics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, P.O Box 217, 7500, AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
- European Kidney Health Alliance (EKHA), WG3 "Breakthrough Innovation", Brussels, Belgium.
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King J, Giselbrecht S, Truckenmüller R, Carlier A. Mechanistic Computational Models of Epithelial Cell Transporters-the Adorned Heroes of Pharmacokinetics. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:780620. [PMID: 34803720 PMCID: PMC8599978 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.780620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial membrane transporter kinetics portray an irrefutable role in solute transport in and out of cells. Mechanistic models are used to investigate the transport of solutes at the organ, tissue, cell or membrane scale. Here, we review the recent advancements in using computational models to investigate epithelial transport kinetics on the cell membrane. Various methods have been employed to develop transport phenomena models of solute flux across the epithelial cell membrane. Interestingly, we noted that many models used lumped parameters, such as the Michaelis-Menten kinetics, to simplify the transporter-mediated reaction term. Unfortunately, this assumption neglects transporter numbers or the fact that transport across the membrane may be affected by external cues. In contrast, more recent mechanistic transporter kinetics models account for the transporter number. By creating models closer to reality researchers can investigate the downstream effects of physical or chemical disturbances on the system. Evidently, there is a need to increase the complexity of mechanistic models investigating the solute flux across a membrane to gain more knowledge of transporter-solute interactions by assigning individual parameter values to the transporter kinetics and capturing their dependence on each other. This change results in better pharmacokinetic predictions in larger scale platforms. More reliable and efficient model predictions can be made by creating mechanistic computational models coupled with dedicated in vitro experiments. It is also vital to foster collaborative efforts among transporter kinetics researchers in the modeling, material science and biological fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasia King
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Stefan Giselbrecht
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Roman Truckenmüller
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Aurélie Carlier
- Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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King J, Mihaila SM, Ahmed S, Truckenmüller R, Giselbrecht S, Masereeuw R, Carlier A. The Influence of OAT1 Density and Functionality on Indoxyl Sulfate Transport in the Human Proximal Tubule: An Integrated Computational and In Vitro Study. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13100674. [PMID: 34678967 PMCID: PMC8538816 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13100674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Research has shown that traditional dialysis is an insufficient long-term therapy for patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease due to the high retention of uremic toxins in the blood as a result of the absence of the active transport functionality of the proximal tubule (PT). The PT’s function is defined by the epithelial membrane transporters, which have an integral role in toxin clearance. However, the intricate PT transporter–toxin interactions are not fully explored, and it is challenging to decouple their effects in toxin removal in vitro. Computational models are necessary to unravel and quantify the toxin–transporter interactions and develop an alternative therapy to dialysis. This includes the bioartificial kidney, where the hollow dialysis fibers are covered with kidney epithelial cells. In this integrated experimental–computational study, we developed a PT computational model that focuses on indoxyl sulfate (IS) transport by organic anionic transporter 1 (OAT1), capturing the transporter density in detail along the basolateral cell membrane as well as the activity of the transporter and the inward boundary flux. The unknown parameter values of the OAT1 density (1.15×107 transporters µm−2), IS uptake (1.75×10−5 µM−1 s−1), and dissociation (4.18×10−4 s−1) were fitted and validated with experimental LC-MS/MS time-series data of the IS concentration. The computational model was expanded to incorporate albumin conformational changes present in uremic patients. The results suggest that IS removal in the physiological model was influenced mainly by transporter density and IS dissociation rate from OAT1 and not by the initial albumin concentration. While in uremic conditions considering albumin conformational changes, the rate-limiting factors were the transporter density and IS uptake rate, which were followed closely by the albumin-binding rate and IS dissociation rate. In summary, the results of this study provide an exciting avenue to help understand the toxin–transporter complexities in the PT and make better-informed decisions on bioartificial kidney designs and the underlining transporter-related issues in uremic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasia King
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.K.); (R.T.); (S.G.)
| | - Silvia M. Mihaila
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; (S.M.M.); (S.A.); (R.M.)
| | - Sabbir Ahmed
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; (S.M.M.); (S.A.); (R.M.)
| | - Roman Truckenmüller
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.K.); (R.T.); (S.G.)
| | - Stefan Giselbrecht
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.K.); (R.T.); (S.G.)
| | - Rosalinde Masereeuw
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands; (S.M.M.); (S.A.); (R.M.)
| | - Aurélie Carlier
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.K.); (R.T.); (S.G.)
- Correspondence:
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Viguerie A, Swapnasrita S, Veneziani A, Carlier A. A multi-domain shear-stress dependent diffusive model of cell transport-aided dialysis: analysis and simulation. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2021; 18:8188-8200. [PMID: 34814295 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2021406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Kidney dialysis is the most widespread treatment method for end-stage renal disease, a debilitating health condition common in industrialized societies. While ubiquitous, kidney dialysis suffers from an inability to remove larger toxins, resulting in a gradual buildup of these toxins in dialysis patients, ultimately leading to further health complications. To improve dialysis, hollow fibers incorporating a cell-monolayer with cultured kidney cells have been proposed; however, the design of such a fiber is nontrivial. In particular, the effects of fluid wall-shear stress have an important influence on the ability of the cell layer to transport toxins. In the present work, we introduce a model for cell-transport aided dialysis, incorporating the effects of the shear stress. We analyze the model mathematically and establish its well-posedness. We then present a series of numerical results, which suggest that a hollow-fiber design with a wavy profile may increase the efficiency of the dialysis treatment. We investigate numerically the shape of the wavy channel to maximize the toxin clearance. These results demonstrate the potential for the use of computational models in the study and advancement of renal therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Viguerie
- Division of Mathematics, Gran Sasso Science Institute, Viale Francesco Crispi 7, L'Aquila, AQ 67100, Italy
| | - Sangita Swapnasrita
- Department of Cell-Biology Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Alessandro Veneziani
- Department of Mathematics, Emory University, 400 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Emory University, 400 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Aurélie Carlier
- Department of Cell-Biology Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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