Comparison of Selective Filtration of On-Chip Glomerulus Comprised of Organoid-Derived and Immortalized Podocytes

We compared two on-chip glomerular filtration barrier models using immortalized podocytes and kidney organoid-derived podocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Podocytes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were seeded on the side wall of fibrin gel in a three-channel polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) device. Both models showed higher filtration rate for inulin than albumin, and significantly higher selectivity was measured when organoid-derived podocytes were used. This study demonstrated the importance of using highly functional podocytes derived from iPSC organoids than conventional immortalized podocytes. The results will be the basis for the creation of glomerular chips that can mimic more biological functions in the future.