Kidney disease has reached epidemic proportions and has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality. According to National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES), between 1999–2004, approximately 11% of the US population aged 20 years or older had kidney disease.1 Because of its complex structure, high metabolism and exposure to waste products and toxins, the kidney is particularly prone to acute injury. Currently patients with kidney injury are supported by dialysis while awaiting spontaneous regeneration, which is frequently incomplete. Patients with irreversible kidney injury require lifelong dialysis or transplantation. These therapies incur a significant cost to the health care system. In 2007, the cost of the ESRD care was approximately $35 billion.