Biochim Biophys Acta. 2011 Jan 19. [Epub ahead of print]
Ward HH, Romero E, Welford A, Pickett G, Bacallao R, Gattone VH 2nd, Ness SA, Wandinger-Ness A, Roitbak T.

Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; Department of Medicine and Division of Nephrology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.

Approximately 60,000 patients in the United States are waiting for a kidney transplant due to genetic, immunologic and environmentally caused kidney failure. Adult human renal stem cells could offer opportunities for autologous transplant and repair of damaged organs. Current data suggest that there are multiple progenitor types in the kidney with distinct localizations. In the present study, we characterize cells derived from human kidney papilla and show their capacity for tubulogenesis. In situ, nestin(+) and CD133/1(+) cells were found extensively intercalated between tubular epithelia in the loops of Henle of renal papilla, but not of the cortex. Populations of primary cells from the renal cortex and renal papilla were isolated by enzymatic digestion from human kidneys unsuited for transplant and immuno-enriched for CD133/1(+) cells. Isolated CD133/1(+) papillary cells were positive for nestin, as well as several human embryonic stem cell markers (SSEA4, Nanog, SOX2, and OCT4/POU5F1) and could be triggered to adopt tubular epithelial and neuronal-like phenotypes. Isolated papillary cells exhibited morphologic plasticity upon modulation of culture conditions and inhibition of asymmetric cell division. Labeled papillary cells readily associated with cortical tubular epithelia in co-culture and 3-dimensional collagen gel cultures. Heterologous organ culture demonstrated that CD133/1(+) progenitors from the papilla and cortex became integrated into developing kidney tubules. Tubular epithelia did not participate in tubulogenesis. Human renal papilla harbor cells with the hallmarks of adult kidney stem/progenitor cells that can be amplified and phenotypically modulated in culture while retaining the capacity to form new kidney tubules. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Polycystic Kidney Disease.

PMID: 21255643

Leah joined Genetic Models, Inc. (Gmi) in 1991 and continued to work on the development of the ZDF.  While at Gmi she managed and trained production personnel as well as coauthored a grant to develop new models such as the diabetic ZDF female and the ZSF1.  When the breeding operation of Gmi was sold to Charles River Laboratories (CRL) in 2001 she was the Manager of Quality Assurance.

CRL transferred Leah to the University of Chicago where she worked as the Supervisor of In-house Mouse Models.  During her time at the University of Chicago, she was given the opportunity to work with many of their renowned scientists.  She was also exposed to the handling and care of an assortment of species besides rodents and also received her LATg certification.

Leah rejoined our team here at PCO in June 2009.

When not working she enjoys music, canoeing, volleyball, bowling and working in the garden.  She and her husband are happy to be moving back to Indianapolis to spend time with their two grandchildren and are looking forward to the arrival of #3 in September.