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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease
Published on: June 30, 2018
Mouse models of diabetic nephropathy
Charles E Alpers1, Kelly L Hudkins
1Department of Pathology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. calp@uw.edu
Purpose Of Review:
Progress in identification of effective therapies for diabetic nephropathy continues to be limited by the lack of ideal animal models. Here we review the current status of some leading murine models of this disorder.
Recent Findings:
A consensus statement of the Animals Models of Diabetic Complications Consortium sets forth guidelines and standards for measuring renal function and structural parameters necessary for validating murine models of diabetic nephropathy. Two murine models exploiting endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) deficiency as a major susceptibility factor for development of diabetic nephropathy are among the very few options for studying features of advanced diabetic nephropathy. Akita and OVE26 mice with mutations that result in Type I diabetes are also useful models of diabetic nephropathy. The recently described BTBR ob/ob (leptin deficient) mouse with Type II diabetes demonstrates key features of early podocyte loss and mesangiolysis characteristic of human diabetic nephropathy.
Summary:
While there are many murine models of mesangial matrix expansion in the setting of diabetes, few progress to develop advanced diabetic lesions. Mice with eNOS deficiency, OVE26 mice, and the recently described BTBR ob/ob mouse currently appear to be the best murine models of advanced disease. A model that allows testing of interventions that modulate podocyte loss and regeneration, such as the BTBR ob/ob mouse, may be of particular benefit in developing therapeutics for diabetic nephropathy.
Insights
Identifying effective diabetic nephropathy therapies is challenging due to a lack of ideal animal models. Current leading murine models include eNOS deficient, Akita, OVE26, and BTBR ob/ob mice for studying advanced disease.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Diabetology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Effective therapies for diabetic nephropathy are limited by the absence of ideal animal models.
- Murine models are crucial for understanding and developing treatments for diabetic kidney disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current status of leading murine models for diabetic nephropathy.
- To identify the most suitable animal models for studying advanced diabetic kidney disease and testing therapeutic interventions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and consensus guidelines for validating diabetic nephropathy models.
- Analysis of specific murine models, including those with endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) deficiency, Type I diabetes mutations (Akita, OVE26), and Type II diabetes (BTBR ob/ob).
Main Results:
- The Animals Models of Diabetic Complications Consortium provides guidelines for model validation.
- Murine models with eNOS deficiency, Akita, OVE26, and BTBR ob/ob mice exhibit key features of diabetic nephropathy.
- The BTBR ob/ob mouse shows early podocyte loss and mesangiolysis, characteristic of human diabetic nephropathy.
Conclusions:
- Few murine models develop advanced diabetic nephropathy lesions beyond mesangial matrix expansion.
- Mice with eNOS deficiency, OVE26, and BTBR ob/ob mice are currently the best models for advanced diabetic nephropathy.
- The BTBR ob/ob mouse is particularly valuable for testing interventions targeting podocyte loss and regeneration in diabetic nephropathy.
