Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Induction of Nephrotic Syndrome in Mice by Retrobulbar Injection of Doxorubicin and Prevention of Volume Retention by Sustained Release Aprotinin
07:38

Induction of Nephrotic Syndrome in Mice by Retrobulbar Injection of Doxorubicin and Prevention of Volume Retention by Sustained Release Aprotinin

Published on: May 6, 2018

A protective role of Mer receptor tyrosine kinase in nephrotoxic serum-induced nephritis

Wen-Hai Shao1, Yuxuan Zhen, Joshua Rosenbaum

  • 1Department of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.

Clinical Immunology (Orlando, Fla.)
|May 7, 2010
PubMed

Insights

The Mer receptor tyrosine kinase plays a crucial role in kidney health. Its absence in Mer-knockout mice exacerbates immune-mediated glomerular disease, leading to severe kidney inflammation and damage.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The Mer receptor tyrosine kinase (Mer) is expressed in the glomerulus.
  • Its role in immune-mediated glomerular disease is not well understood.
  • Mer functions as a receptor for apoptotic cells and an immunoregulatory molecule.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Mer in immune-mediated glomerular disease.
  • To determine if Mer modifies disease progression through its known functions.

Main Methods:

  • Mer-knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were used.
  • Nephrotoxic serum (NTS) was injected to induce glomerular disease.
  • Survival rates, proteinuria, serum urea levels, and kidney histology were assessed.
  • Mer expression, apoptotic bodies, neutrophil infiltration, and inflammatory cytokines were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Mer-KO mice exhibited decreased survival, increased proteinuria, and elevated serum urea levels compared to WT mice.
  • Glomeruli in Mer-KO mice showed hyperplasia and necrosis, unlike WT mice.
  • Increased Mer expression was observed in WT glomeruli post-NTS injection.
  • Mer-KO kidneys had evident apoptotic bodies, massive neutrophil infiltration, and heightened inflammatory cytokine expression.

Conclusions:

  • Mer plays a critical role in attenuating renal inflammation during immune-mediated glomerular disease.
  • Mer's protective functions include acting as a receptor for apoptotic cells and downregulating inflammation.
  • Targeting Mer may offer therapeutic potential for glomerular diseases.

More Related Videos

Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway07:15

Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

Published on: August 23, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Enzyme-linked Receptors01:00

Enzyme-linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are proteins that act as both receptor and enzyme, activating multiple intracellular signals. This is a large group of receptors that include the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. Many growth factors and hormones bind to and activate the RTKs.
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases01:26

Receptor Tyrosine Kinases

Receptor tyrosine kinases or RTKs are membrane-bound receptors that phosphorylate specific tyrosine on protein substrates. RTKs regulate cellular growth, differentiation, survival, and migration. They contain an extracellular ligand binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytosolic tail with intrinsic kinase activity. Several extracellular signaling molecules activate RTKs in one or more ways and relay the signal downstream. Ligands such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or...
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention01:30

Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention

Accurate diagnosis and effective prevention are critical in managing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), which is linked to high mortality rates ranging from 10% to 80%. Timely recognition of at-risk patients and careful monitoring can significantly reduce the likelihood of kidney damage.Diagnostic Assessments:The diagnostic process starts with a comprehensive medical history to identify prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal causes.Prerenal causes, such as dehydration, hypotension, or blood loss, should...
Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology01:29

Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology

Acute kidney injury (AKI) causes are categorized into three primary categories based on the location of the injury: prerenal, intrarenal (or intrinsic), and postrenal causes. This classification guides clinical management and illustrates how different pathways can impair kidney function.Etiology and Pathophysiology of Acute Kidney Injury1. Prerenal causesEtiology: Prerenal Acute Kidney Injury, the most common type, occurs when reduced blood flow to the kidneys decreases filtration capacity...
Nephrons01:10

Nephrons

The kidneys are intricate organs with millions of working units known as nephrons. Each nephron features two major structures: the renal corpuscle, which facilitates blood plasma filtration, and the renal tubule, which handles the glomerular filtrate. Blood supply is directly linked to the nephrons. The renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus, a capillary network, and the Bowman's capsule, a double-walled epithelial structure that encases the glomerulus. The filtering of blood plasma happens...
Diabetic Nephropathy01:28

Diabetic Nephropathy

Definition Diabetic nephropathy is a chronic kidney complication that results from prolonged hyperglycemia.Prevalence It is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide, affecting up to half of individuals with diabetes.Pathophysiology • Sustained hyperglycemia triggers multiple hemodynamic and metabolic changes in the kidney. • Early in the disease, increased renal blood flow and glomerular hyperfiltration occur due to afferent arteriolar...