Urinary System

The Urinary System category provides cells from the kidneys (cortex, medulla, papilla) and urinary tract (ureter, bladder, urethra) for studying filtration, reabsorption, secretion, nephrotoxicity, kidney disease, and bladder cancer. Our products feature renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTEC), which are critical for drug transporter studies (OATs, OCTs, MATEs) and nephrotoxicity screening (cisplatin, gentamicin, contrast agents). Kidney epithelial cells line the nephron from the proximal tubule to the collecting duct; they maintain electrolyte and water balance. Renal tubular epithelial cell (generic) includes proximal, distal, and collecting duct segments. RPTECs are often used in nephrotoxicity assays, including measurement of biomarkers like KIM-1, NGAL, and clusterin. Glomerular endothelial cells are fenestrated and form part of the filtration barrier; they are co-cultured with podocytes to model glomerular function. Kidney endothelial cells support renal vasculature and are used for studies on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Urinary system cells encompass bladder, ureter, and urethra; we provide cells from each region. Urothelial cells line the bladder and ureter; they form a barrier against urine and are used for interstitial cystitis models and studies on uroplakin expression.

Human kidney cells include proximal tubule cells, distal tubule cells, and collecting duct cells. Epithelial kidney cells are abundant in the cortex and medulla; they express aquaporins and ion channels. Proximal tubule cells are prone to drug-induced injury because of their high metabolic activity and expression of uptake transporters. Collecting duct cells regulate water balance via aquaporin-2 and sodium balance via ENaC; they are used for studies on diabetes insipidus and aldosterone signaling. Podocyte cells (e.g., conditionally immortalized human podocytes) are used for glomerular disease research; these cells express nephrin, podocin, and synaptopodin, and are used for slit diaphragm studies and proteinuria research. Mesangial cells support glomerular structure and provide contractility; they are involved in glomerulonephritis and diabetic kidney disease. Ureter epithelial cells are less common but available for studies on obstructive nephropathy and ureteral stents.

Researchers often use renal proximal tubule epithelial cells for nephrotoxicity screening (e.g., cisplatin-induced apoptosis) and podocyte cells for glomerular biology (e.g., high glucose-induced injury).

Our urinary cells, kidney cells, and renal cells are tested for marker expression (e.g., aquaporin-1 for proximal tubule, uroplakin for urothelium, nephrin for podocytes). Glomerular endothelial cells and mesangial cells can be co-cultured to model the filtration barrier. Collecting duct cells are used for water transport studies (aquaporin-2 trafficking). Whether you need renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTEC) for drug transport studies or other research proposol, our Urinary System category supports your renal and urological research from basic physiology to translational medicine.