A needle-free cell source and the kidney-linked Klotho protein
Quick answer
Urine-derived MSCs are cells shed from the urinary tract lining that can be expanded in culture. They are collected without surgery or a tissue biopsy and originate close to the renal system. EHL Bio's KDSTEM Inj. uses them for chronic renal failure, with a mechanism linked to the Klotho protein.
The clearest advantage is collection. Many chronic kidney patients carry elevated procedural and anaesthetic risk, so gathering cells from urine removes a significant burden and is far easier to repeat when a new lot is needed.
Mechanistically, Klotho is a protein produced mainly in the kidney whose level falls as renal function declines. Research links it to antioxidant activity, reduced fibrosis and slower nephron loss. KDSTEM's rationale is to deliver cells whose secreted factors dampen that inflammation-and-fibrosis cycle.
What matters in practice is that the realistic goal is slowing decline, not restoring normal kidney numbers. Anyone considering it should plan alongside their own nephrologist and track eGFR and proteinuria over time to judge whether the treatment is actually doing anything.
No — it is an ordinary urine collection, with no needle or surgery.
No. Patients on dialysis must continue as prescribed; cell therapy is adjunctive and assessed individually.
Last updated: 2026-08-28 · This content is for information only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified doctor before making treatment decisions.
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