Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42115942›Full record

ArticleBMC molecular and cell biology2026

Modelling kidney cystogenesis using human kidney tubuloid cultures.

Jana Rohe, Arsila Palliyulla Kariat Ashraf, Melina Kehl, Xenia Thielmann, Jörg Ellinger, Glen Kristiansen, Dagmar Wachten, Marieta Ioana Toma

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC molecular and cell biology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Jana Rohe *Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Building 62, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Arsila Palliyulla Kariat Ashraf *Institute of Innate Immunity, Biophysical Imaging, University of Bonn, University Hospital, BMZ-II, Venusberg- Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany. arsilash@uni-bonn.de.
Melina KehlInstitute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Building 62, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Xenia ThielmannInstitute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Building 62, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Jörg EllingerDepartment of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University of Bonn, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Glen KristiansenInstitute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Building 62, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Dagmar WachtenInstitute of Innate Immunity, Biophysical Imaging, University of Bonn, University Hospital, BMZ-II, Venusberg- Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany. dwachten@uni-bonn.de.
Marieta Ioana TomaInstitute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Building 62, 53127, Bonn, Germany. marieta.toma@ukbonn.de.

Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Germany's Excellence Strategy - EXC2151 - Project-ID 390873048Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung 2021.EKFSE.53
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRenal cyst formation, as observed in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), is a life-threatening condition with no effective cure yet. The molecular mechanisms underlying primary cilia dysfunction, which causes cyst formation and disease development, are not well understood. Human kidney tubuloids offer a promising model system to investigate the disease mechanisms of PKD in physiologically relevant 3D structures. However, their inherent cystic morphology poses a challenge in effectively modelling kidney cystogenesis. Therefore, our study aims to refine the culture method of tubuloids and assess the efficacy of these modified cultures in modeling cyst formation and development.

resultsWe developed human kidney tubuloid models derived from adult kidney tubular cells using different methods for 3D in-vitro cultures. Tubuloids cultured in suspension or an extracellular matrix scaffold manifested distinctly polarized epithelial structures. Bulk RNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry revealed differential transcriptional profiles, highlighting variations in cellular composition and cellular fate within the kidney epithelium between the two types of tubuloids. Notably, the experimental activation of chronic cAMP signalling promoted cyst formation in vitro, validating the suitability of these tubuloids for studying kidney cystogenesis. Furthermore, we demonstrate that tubuloids are amenable to genetic modification through recombinant adeno-associated virus transduction.

conclusionsOur study identifies different in-vitro tubuloid cultures as relevant model systems for examining the molecular and cellular changes involved in kidney cystogenesis in humans. These models will enhance our capability to discover novel pathogenetic mechanisms underlying ADPKD and validate candidate drugs for clinical application.

Indexed as

CystsKidney TubulesModels, BiologicalCell Culture TechniquesCells, CulturedCiliaCyclic AMPEpithelial CellsHumansPolycystic Kidney, Autosomal DominantSignal TransductionCyclic AMPADPKDcAMP signallingCiliaDome tubuloidsKidney cystKidney epithelial cellsOrganoidsSuspension tubuloids

Identifiers

PMID42115942
PMCPMC13162504

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.