Researchers engineer ureter tissue from stem cells, paving 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 achievement brings 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.”
About the Project: International Leading Research "Creating A Kidney：A global network to generate transplantable kidney organoid"
This study represents a major milestone in the “International Leading Research: Creating A Kidney” project, supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). Kumamoto University serves as the core institution for this prestigious initiative, which is led by Professor Ryuichi Nishinakamura.
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.
For more information, please visit: https://creating-kidney.jp/en/
Reference
| Authors | Yutaro Ibi, Koichiro Miike, Tomoko Ohmori, Chen-Leng Cai, Shunsuke Tanigawa & Ryuichi Nishinakamura |
| Title of original paper |
In vitro generation of a ureteral organoid from pluripotent stem cells |
| Journal | nature communications |
| DOI | 10.1038/s41467-025-60693-6 |
Image Title: Generation of the Artificial Ureter Tissues
Image Caption: A method was developed to induce ureteral stromal progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells (red arrow), enabling the successful creation of artificial ureter tissue by combining them with ureteral epithelial progenitor cells derived from mouse embryos or induced from pluripotent stem cells.
Top right image: Ureter organoid formed by combining ureteral stromal progenitor cells derived from mouse ES cells with ureteral epithelial cells derived from mouse embryos.
Bottom right image: Cross-section of the created ureter organoid, showing differentiation similar to that of natural ureters in the body.
Image Caption: A method was developed to induce ureteral stromal progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells (red arrow), enabling the successful creation of artificial ureter tissue by combining them with ureteral epithelial progenitor cells derived from mouse embryos or induced from pluripotent stem cells.
Top right image: Ureter organoid formed by combining ureteral stromal progenitor cells derived from mouse ES cells with ureteral epithelial cells derived from mouse embryos.
Bottom right image: Cross-section of the created ureter organoid, showing differentiation similar to that of natural ureters in the body.
Image Title: International Research Network for the Development of Transplantable Kidney Organioids
Image Caption: The International Leading Research project “Creating a Kidney: A Global Network to Generate Transplantable Kidney Organoids”, supported by JSPS, brings together leading researchers from Japan and around the world. The project aims to realize the creation of transplantable kidney organoids through groundbreaking scientific advancements.
Image Caption: The International Leading Research project “Creating a Kidney: A Global Network to Generate Transplantable Kidney Organoids”, supported by JSPS, brings together leading researchers from Japan and around the world. The project aims to realize the creation of transplantable kidney organoids through groundbreaking scientific advancements.
Image Title: Official Website of International Leading Research project “Creating a Kidney: A Global Network to Generate Transplantable Kidney Organoids“
Image Caption: Please visit https://creating-kidney.jp/en/ for the latest updates on the project
Image Caption: Please visit https://creating-kidney.jp/en/ for the latest updates on the project