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Isolation, Growth, and Characterization of Human Renal Epithelial Cells Using Traditional and 3D Methods

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Epithelial Cell Culture Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 945))

Abstract

The kidney is a highly heterogeneous organ that is responsible for fluid and electrolyte balance. Much interest is focused on determining the function of specific renal epithelial cells in humans, which can only be accomplished through the isolation and growth of nephron segment-specific epithelial cells. However, human renal epithelial cells are notoriously difficult to maintain in culture. This chapter describes the isolation, growth, immortalization, and characterization of the human renal proximal tubule cell. In addition, we describe new paradigms in 3D cell culture which allow the cells to maintain more in vivo-like morphology and function.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by NIH grants HL074940, HL023081, DK039308, HL068686, and HL092196.

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Correspondence to Robin A. Felder .

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© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Gildea, J.J., McGrath, H.E., Van Sciver, R.E., Wang, D.B., Felder, R.A. (2012). Isolation, Growth, and Characterization of Human Renal Epithelial Cells Using Traditional and 3D Methods. In: Randell, S., Fulcher, M. (eds) Epithelial Cell Culture Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 945. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-125-7_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-125-7_20

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-124-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-125-7

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