Thiol-ene cross-linked alginate hydrogel encapsulation modulates the extracellular matrix of kidney organoids by reducing abnormal type 1a1 collagen deposition

Before these organoids can be translated to the clinic, shortcomings regarding their cellular and extracellular compositions, and their developmental plateau need to be overcome. We performed a proteomic analysis on kidney organoids cultured for a prolonged culture time and we found a specific change in the extracellular matrix composition with increased expression of types 1a1, 2 and 6a1 collagen.

Such an excessive accumulation of specific collagen types is a hallmark of renal fibrosis that causes a life-threatening pathological condition by compromising key functions of the human kidney. Here we hypothesized the need for a three-dimensional environment to grow the kidney organoids, which could better mimic the in vivo surroundings of the developing kidney than standard culture on an air–liquid interface. Encapsulating organoids for four days in a soft, thiol-ene cross-linked alginate hydrogel resulted in decreased type 1a1 collagen expression.