A comparative transcriptomic framework across kidney organoid, assembloid, and transplantation models

Transcriptional maturation toward adult identity in kidney organoid and assembloid models is compartment specific and does not correlate with protocol complexity, across integrated single-cell/nucleus data from 11 studies.

• Why it matters: Protocols vary in cellular makeup and maturation, making it hard to compare models and choose the right system for disease modeling, nephrotoxicity screening, or therapy development.
• What they did: The authors integrated single-cell and single-nucleus transcriptomes from 11 studies covering in vitro organoids/assembloids and post-transplantation samples, benchmarking against fetal and adult kidney references.
• The result: Assembloids show the most adult-like podocyte and distal nephron signatures, transplantation links to enhanced tubular oxidative metabolic features, and only ureteric-progenitor–containing protocols reliably generate collecting-duct lineages; no protocol achieves mature adult proximal tubule identity.

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