Fig. 3

Steps to translate regenerative therapy for acute kidney injury into clinical practice. Cell-based therapy faces a number of unique barriers to be overcome in order to translate research into clinical practice. Firstly, the most effective population of cells to use for therapy is unclear. While beneficial effects have been reported from various cell populations, there is a need for comparisons of efficacy across different cell types. Second, the optimum cell isolation procedure has yet to be identified. Next, the optimum route of cell delivery and timing of delivery in order to promote recovery is unknown. In order to bring acute kidney injury therapy to a new level through regenerative medicine, effectiveness of cell-based treatments must be proven superior to treatment methods currently in use. The final step addresses long-term follow-up with subjects to ensure safety of cell based therapy