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Updated: Oct 4, 2026
Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease
Published on: June 30, 2018
Alterations in kidney morphology in mice with mosaic mutation
M Lenartowicz1, K Sasuła, B Zawadowska
1Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland. Lena@zuk.iz.uj.edu.pl
Abstract:
The mosaic (Atp7a(mo-ms)) is an X-linked, lethal mutation in mice. Hemizygous males die at the age of 15 days and they exhibit strong similarities to the brindled and macular mutants. Injection of cupric chloride to mossaic mutants prolongs their life and diminishes the pathological results of mutation. Histochemical analysis of the kidneys from 14-day-old mutant males showed accumulation of copper in the renal cortex of the investigated animals leading to damage of the kidney architecture. A histological profile of the kidneys was defined for four groups of 14-day-old animals: mosaic males ms/-, control males +/-, mosaic males injected with cupric chloride ms/- (Cu), and control males injected with cupric chloride +/- (Cu). Pathological changes were observed in the cortex and in the medulla of the kidneys in both groups of mutants and control males injected with cupric chloride (50 microg of CuCl2 per each individual).
Insights
The mosaic mutation (Atp7a(mo-ms)) in mice causes lethal copper metabolism defects. Cupric chloride injections extended survival and reduced kidney damage in mosaic mice.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Molecular Biology
- Toxicology
- Pathology
Background:
- The mosaic (Atp7a(mo-ms)) mutation is an X-linked, lethal mutation in mice.
- Hemizygous males with this mutation die around 15 days of age, showing similarities to brindled and macular mutants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of cupric chloride injection on the survival and kidney pathology of mosaic mutant mice.
- To analyze the distribution and accumulation of copper in the kidneys of mosaic mutants.
Main Methods:
- Histochemical analysis of kidney tissue from 14-day-old mosaic males, control males, injected mosaic males, and injected control males.
- Histological examination of kidney architecture in all four groups.
Main Results:
- Injection of cupric chloride prolonged the survival of mosaic mutant mice.
- Copper accumulation was observed in the renal cortex of mosaic mutant males, leading to kidney architecture damage.
- Pathological changes were noted in both the cortex and medulla of kidneys in mutant and injected control groups.
Conclusions:
- Copper supplementation can mitigate the lethal effects and pathological consequences of the mosaic mutation.
- The mosaic mutation leads to copper accumulation and kidney damage, highlighting the critical role of copper metabolism in kidney health.
