Renal cell populations and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention concerns enriched heterogeneous mammalian renal cell populations characterized by biomarkers, and methods of making and using the same.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An enriched heterogeneous mammalian renal cell population that express the biomarkers GGT-1 and a cytokeratin. 
     
     
         2 . The cell population according to  claim 1  wherein the biomarkers are detected by a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         3 . The cell population according to  claim 1  wherein greater than 18% of the cells express GGT-1. 
     
     
         4 . The cell population according to  claim 1  wherein the cytokeratin is selected from CK8, CK18, CK19 and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The cell population according to  claim 4  wherein the level of expression of the cytokeratin is greater than 80%. 
     
     
         6 . The cell population according to  claim 1  wherein the cytokeratin is detected by polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         7 . The cell population according to  claim 1  wherein the cell population expresses AQP. 
     
     
         8 . The cell population according to  claim 1  wherein less than 40% of the cells express AQP2. 
     
     
         9 . The cell population according to  claim 7  wherein the AQP2 is detected by monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         10 . The cell population according to  claim 1  wherein the mammal is human. 
     
     
         11 . A method of identifying a heterogeneous renal cell population suitable for implantation and/oreliciting a regenerative response said method comprising the steps
 Isolating cells from a mammalian kidney sample   Exposing said isolated cells to one or more labeled detection moiety, wherein each labeled detection moiety is directed to a different biomarker and is labeled with a different label   Determining the percentage of cells that express each of said different biomarker.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the biomarker is selected from AQP1, AQP2, AQP4, Calbindin, Calponin, CD117, CD133, CD146, CD24, CD31 (PECAM-1), CD54 (ICAM-1), CD73, CK18, CK19, CK40 to 67, CK7, CK8, CK8, CK18, CK19, combinations of CK8, CK18 and CK19, Connexin 43, Cubilin, CXCR4 (Fusin), DBA, E-cadherin (CD324), EPO (erythropoeitin), GGT1, GLEPP1 (glomerular epithelial protein 1), Haptoglobulin, Itgb1 (Integrin β1), KIM-1/TIM-1 (kidney injury molecule-1/T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-containing molecule), MAP-2 (microtubule-associated protein 2), Megalin, N-cadherin, Nephrin, NKCC (Na-K-Cl-cotransporters), OAT-1 (organic anion transporter 1), Osteopontin, Pan-cadherin, PCLP1 (podocalyxin-like 1 molecule), Podocin, SMA (smooth muscle alpha-actin), Synaptopodin, THP (tamm-horsfall protein), Vimentin, αGST-1 (alpha glutathione S-transferase) and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the labeled detection moiety is an antibody. 
     
     
         14 . A method of treating kidney disease in a mammal comprising administering a heterogeneous renal cell population to the patient, wherein the cell population expresses two or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of GGT-1, AQP2 and a cytokeratin. 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating kidney disease in a mammal comprising administering a heterogeneous renal cell population to the patient, wherein cells within the cell population have levels of expression for GGT-1 and CK18 are greater than 18% and 80%, respectively. 
     
     
         16 . A method of treating kidney disease in a mammal comprising administering a heterogeneous renal cell population to the patient, wherein cells within the cell population express GGT-1, AQP2 and CK18 at levels of expression in Table 12.4. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15  or  16  wherein the cell population is cultured on a matrix. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15  or  16  wherein the cell population is suspended in a gelatin-based biomaterial. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15  or  16  wherein the mammal is human.