Development of an In Vitro Model for Inflammation Mediated Renal Toxicity Using 3D Renal Tubules and Co-Cultured Human Immune Cells

Background: The emergence of various infectious diseases and the toxic effects of hyperinflammation by biotherapeutics have highlighted the need for in vitro preclinical models mimicking the human immune system. In vitro models studying the relationship between hyperinflammation and acute renal injury mainly rely on 2D culture systems, which have shown limitations in recapitulating kidney function. Herein, we developed an in vitro kidney toxicity model by co-culturing 3D engineered kidney proximal tubules cells (RPTEC/TERT1) with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

Methods: RPTEC/TERT1 were sandwich cultured to form 3D renal tubules for 16 days. The tubules were then co-cultured with PBMC using transwell (0.4 μm pores) for 24 h. Hyperinflammation of PBMC was induced during co-culture using polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to investigate the effects of the induced hyperinflammation on the renal tubules.

Results: Encapsulated RPTEC/TERT1 cells in Matrigel exhibited elevated renal function markers compared to 2D culture. The coexistence of PBMC and polyI:C induced a strong inflammatory response in the kidney cells. This hyperinflammation significantly reduced primary cilia formation and upregulated kidney injury markers along the 3D tubules. Similarly, treating co-cultured PBMC with LPS to induce hyperinflammation resulted in comparable inflammatory responses and potential kidney injury.

Conclusion: The model demonstrated similar changes in kidney injury markers following polyI:C and LPS treatment, indicating its suitability for detecting immune-associated kidney damage resulting from infections and biopharmaceutical applications.