Stem cells have emerged as a revolutionary force in renal medicine, offering promising avenues for kidney regeneration and repair. The kidneys, essential for filtering waste and maintaining electrolyte balance, are often prone to damage from diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Traditional treatments, including dialysis and kidney transplantation, have significant limitations and risks. Stem cell therapy, however, holds the potential to transform these paradigms by enabling the regeneration of damaged renal tissue and restoring kidney function.

Stem cells, particularly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), have demonstrated remarkable regenerative capabilities. MSCs, which can be derived from bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord blood, exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, making them ideal for repairing kidney damage. iPSCs, generated by reprogramming adult cells to a pluripotent state, can differentiate into various cell types, including renal cells, providing a tailored approach to kidney regeneration.

Research has shown that stem cells can enhance the repair of acute kidney injury (AKI) and slow the progression of CKD. They achieve this through mechanisms such as paracrine signaling, which involves the release of growth factors and cytokines that promote cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Furthermore, bioengineering advancements have led to the development of kidney organoids—miniaturized, lab-grown kidney tissues derived from stem cells—that can model kidney development and disease, paving the way for personalized medicine.

The potential of stem cells in renal medicine extends beyond tissue repair. They offer insights into disease mechanisms, enabling the discovery of new therapeutic targets. Therefore, this Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive, contemporary collection of research focusing on exploring renal stem cell engineering. We welcome Original Research Articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Perspectives, Commentaries, Data notes, and technical notes, but are not limited to the following:

• The role of stem cells in kidney regenerative medicine either in differentiation or paracrine effect in particular kidney cell component or organ.
• Understanding how stem cells release growth factors and cytokines to promote repair and regeneration in injured kidneys.
• Stem cell tissue engineering on kidney organ construction or organoid.
• Investigating the efficacy of stem cell therapies in enhancing the repair processes and improving outcomes in AKI.
• Combining stem cells with biomaterials and scaffolds to create bioengineered kidney tissues for transplantation and repair.
• Stem cell-based therapeutic strategies for the kidney function recovery, as well as the translational research or clinical trials.

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Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

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