Overview

• A Cell Stem Cell study from the USC-led Li Lab describes integrated mouse and human kidney assembloids formed by combining nephron and collecting-duct organoids.
• Once transplanted into living mice, the assembloids enlarged and developed connective tissue and blood vessels indicative of further maturation.
• Mouse assembloids achieved newborn-equivalent maturity by gene and functional benchmarks, while human assembloids progressed beyond embryonic stages without precise newborn comparisons.
• Both mouse and human assembloids exhibited kidney-like functions, including blood filtration, albumin uptake, hormone secretion, and early signs of urine production.
• Human assembloids engineered with PKD2 loss modeled autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in mice by forming large cysts with inflammation and fibrosis, supporting use in high-fidelity disease studies and future synthetic organ efforts.