HMN 2025: How Functional ureter tissue created from stem cells paves way for transplantable kidneys

Scientists at Kumamoto University have made a major breakthrough in regenerative medicine by successfully creating functional ureter tissue—organoids resembling the urinary tract—from pluripotent stem cells. The results, published in Nature Communications, bring researchers one step closer to developing transplantable kidneys capable of producing and expelling urine.

The ureter, a critical tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder, has long been missing from lab-grown kidney models. Without it, kidney organoids have lacked the ability to simulate complete organ function, posing a major obstacle to future transplant applications.

Led by Professor Ryuichi Nishinakamura, from the Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, the team successfully created ureteral tissues from pluripotent stem cells by integrating induced ureteral stromal progenitors and epithelial components derived from mouse embryos or induced ureteral epithelial progenitors.

When these cell types were combined, they self-organized into three-layered, peristaltically contracting ureteral structures. Some organoids even displayed rhythmic contractions similar to natural urine flow.

Notably, the researchers also modeled genetic ureteral disorders using cells with TBX18 mutations, which resulted in impaired tissue development, offering a promising platform for studying congenital urinary tract diseases.

“This is the first time a ureteral structure has been built entirely from pluripotent stem cells,” said Professor Nishinakamura. “Combining this with our kidney organoids may enable the construction of transplantable kidneys that can produce and excrete urine—marking a significant step toward next-generation regenerative therapies.”

The project brings together a global network of researchers from both Japan and abroad, aiming not only to achieve the goal of generating transplantable kidney organoids through cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs, but also to nurture the next generation of young scientists. This truly international collaboration embodies the spirit of excellence in both research and education.