Adoptive transfer of stem cells has shown potential as an effective treatment for acute kidney injury (AKI). The current strategy for adoptive transfer of stem cells is by intravenous injection. However, this conventional method of stem cell delivery is riddled with problems causing reduced efficacy of the therapeutic potential of delivered stem cells. This review summarizes the recent advancements in an alternative method of stem cell delivery for treatment of AKI, embedding stem cells in hyaluronic acid (HA-) based hydrogels followed by their implantation. Furthermore, one stem cell type in particular, endothelial progenitor cells (EPC), have shown remarkable therapeutic benefits for treatment of AKI when delivered by HA-hydrogels. The review also summarizes the delivery of EPC by HA-hydrogels in the setting of AKI.
Keywords: Adriamycin-induced kidney injury; acute kidney injury; endothelial progenitor cells; endotoxemia; hyaluronic acid based hydrogels; sepsis; stem cell therapy.