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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease
Published on: June 30, 2018
Recent insights into experimental mouse models of diabetic nephropathy
Gregory H Tesch1, David J Nikolic-Paterson
1Department of Nephrology, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Australia.
Background/Aims:
Mouse models are an essential experimental tool for investigating the role of molecular mechanisms and genetic susceptibility in the development of diabetic nephropathy.
Methods:
The most widely used inbred strain, the C57BL/6 mouse, is commonly used in streptozotocin-induced models of type 1 diabetes and is particularly susceptible to obesity-induced type 2 diabetes. However, use of this strain has been criticised by studies suggesting that it is relatively resistant to renal injury.
Results:
Recent refinement of these models and utilisation of genetically modified (knockout and transgenic) mice on a C57BL/6 background has provided important insights into the roles of oxidative stress, advanced glycation end products, inflammation and profibrotic mechanisms in the development of type 1 and type 2 diabetic nephropathy.
Conclusion:
These findings demonstrate the utility of mouse models for identifying and testing novel therapeutic strategies which could translate into better protection against the human disease.
