Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026

Acute Kidney Injury Model Induced by Cisplatin in Adult Zebrafish
Published on: May 15, 2021
Role of IL-1α in cisplatin-induced acute renal failure in mice
Jay-Wook Lee1, Woo-Jin Nam, Min-Jee Han
1Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Background/Aims:
For unknown reasons, caspase-1 -/- mice, protected against cisplatin-induced acute renal failure (ARF), are deficient in interleukin (IL)-1α. We thus asked whether IL-1α deficiency underlies the mechanism of protection against cisplatin-induced ARF in these mice.
Methods:
Cisplatin (30 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally into wild-type C57BL/6 mice to produce a cisplatin-induced model of ARF. IL-1α was measured in control vehicle- and cisplatin-treated wild-type animals. We also examined whether IL-1α -/- mice were similarly protected against cisplatin-induced ARF. Additionally, infiltration of CD11b- and CD49b-positive cells, as markers of macrophages, natural killer, and natural killer T cells (pan-NK cells), was investigated in wild-type and IL-1α -/- mice.
Results:
Compared with vehicle-treated mice, renal IL-1α increased in cisplatin-treated wild-type mice beginning on day 1. IL-1α -/- mice were shown to be protected against cisplatin-induced ARF. No significant difference in the infiltration of neutrophils or CD11b- and CD49b-positive cells were observed between wild-type and IL-1α -/- mice.
Conclusions:
Mice deficient in IL-1α are protected against cisplatin-induced ARF. The lack of IL-1α may explain, at least in part, the protection against cisplatin-induced ARF observed in caspase-1 -/- mice. Investigation of the protective mechanism (s) in IL-1α -/- mice in cisplatin-induced ARF merits further study.
Insights
Mice lacking interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) show protection against cisplatin-induced acute renal failure (ARF). This suggests IL-1α deficiency may explain the protective effects seen in caspase-1 knockout mice.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Caspase-1 knockout mice are protected from cisplatin-induced acute renal failure (ARF).
- These mice are also deficient in interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if IL-1α deficiency is the mechanism behind protection against cisplatin-induced ARF in caspase-1 knockout mice.
Main Methods:
- Cisplatin was administered to wild-type C57BL/6 mice to induce ARF.
- Renal IL-1α levels were measured.
- IL-1α knockout mice were assessed for protection against cisplatin-induced ARF.
- Immune cell infiltration (macrophages, NK, and NKT cells) was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Renal IL-1α levels increased in wild-type mice post-cisplatin treatment.
- IL-1α knockout mice demonstrated protection against cisplatin-induced ARF.
- No significant differences in neutrophil or specific immune cell infiltration were observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- Mice lacking IL-1α are protected from cisplatin-induced ARF.
- IL-1α deficiency likely contributes to the protection observed in caspase-1 knockout mice.
- Further research into the protective mechanisms in IL-1α knockout mice is warranted.

