BACKGROUND:The human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is one of preferred growth factors for regulating proliferation and directional differentiation, has multiple biological effects, and laids the foundation for geneticaly engineered immortalized stem cel lines. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect ofhTERT gene-modified umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel transplantation on acute kidney injury induced by ischemia and reperfusion in rats. METHODS:The human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cels were cultured in vitro. Rat models of acute kidney injury induced by ischemia and reperfusion were established. Rat models were randomly divided into three groups. Rats in the control group were injected with 1 mL L-DMEM medium through caudal vein. Rats in the negative transfection group were injected with 1 mL umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel suspension after empty virus transfection through caudal vein. Rats in the hTERT transfection group were injected with 1 mL umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel suspension after PLXSN-hTERT transfection through caudal vein. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 3 and 28 days after transplantation, hematoxylin-eosin staining showed renal tubular damage score in the hTERT transfection group < negative transfection group < control group (P < 0.05). At 28 days after transplantation, the number of CM-Dil-positive cels in the hTERT transfection group > negative transfection group > control group (P < 0.05). At 1, 3, 14, and 28 days, serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels in the hTERT transfection group < negative transfection group < control group (P < 0.05). The results confirm that hTERT gene-modified umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel transplantation has a significant repair effect on acute kidney injury in rats.