Rationale of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in kidney injury.

Hundreds of clinical trials are currently investigating the potential for mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to treat human disease, including kidney disease. There is tremendous excitement over the therapeutic potential of this form of stem cell therapy and an improving understanding of how MSC act. This review will summarize our current knowledge concerning the mechanisms by which MSC accelerate kidney repair after acute injury. It will also survey the current MSC clinical trial landscape in nephrology. Finally, future challenges to a widespread application of MSC therapies for patients with kidney injury will be outlined.