How did bioengineered kidneys function after transplantation into rats?

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In 2013, researchers reported the successful transplantation of bioengineered kidneys into rats, marking a significant milestone in regenerative medicine. These organs were constructed using decellularized kidney scaffolds that preserved the essential structural framework of the organ, including the cortical and medullary regions, the ureters, and the collecting tubules responsible for concentrating and transporting urine from the nephrons.1

Following transplantation, the bioengineered kidneys were functional in the rat recipients, successfully producing urine. While this demonstrated the potential for creating complex bioartificial organs, the transplanted kidneys retained approximately 5 percent of the functional capacity of a healthy, natural kidney.1