Preparation\nof 3D Zonal and Interactional Glomerular\nModels Based on Composite Core–Shell Hydrogel Microspheres

Herein, to tackle the current issue of ignoring cell\ninteractions\nand spatial heterogeneity in in vitro glomerulus models, a core–shell\ncomposite gel microsphere with interzonal intercommunication was developed.\nBy adjusting the diameter ratio of the Dex-Alg/PEG-Alg droplet to\nthe GelMA droplet, the size, shape, and compartment ratio of the droplet\ncan be controlled. This setup keeps compartments separate yet interconnected,\nclosely resembling the spatial arrangement of cells in glomeruli and\ntheir physiological state. Noteworthily, glomerular endothelial cells,\nwhich are supported by mesangial cells, form blood vessels, whereas\npodocytes form an epithelial barrier. Key functional proteins were\nincreased, and electron imaging revealed the creation of the basement\nmembrane. Moreover, Doxorubicin-treated models demonstrated enhanced\ncell death, podocyte loss, and kidney damage, which were reduced by\ndexrazoxane. Thus, we believe that <i>in vitro</i> 3D glomerular\nmodels with zone structures have significant potential for glomerular\nresearch.