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Updated: Jan 13, 2026
Nephrotoxin Microinjection in Zebrafish to Model Acute Kidney Injury
Published on: July 17, 2016
The chicken embryo model as a tool for investigating drug-induced acute kidney injury
Murillo D L Bernardi1, Krista den Ouden1, Melanie Nieuwenhuijzen-Van de Kaa1
1University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Nephrology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
Nephrotoxicity remains a critical concern in drug development, with limited preclinical models that balance physiological relevance, ethical considerations, and scalability. Here, we evaluate the chicken embryo (CE) as an in vivo platform for nephrotoxicity assessment, using gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury as a proof-of-principle. Using an ex ovo culture system, we assessed renal responses in the developing CE kidney. By embryonic day 12, the CE exhibited advanced organogenesis, including a functional metanephric kidney. Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated conservation of key structural and vascular markers between chicken and human kidneys, including α-smooth muscle actin, von Willebrand factor, and integrins. Gentamicin exposure induced dose- and time-dependent tubular injury, with significant dilation and vacuolization observed at 48 h following exposure to 0.4 mg/mL, which subsided by 96 h. As a proof-of-principle study, these findings demonstrate that the CE can detect acute tubular injury in a developing kidney. The model's primary relevance lies in developmental nephrotoxicity research, where accessible and physiologically integrated experimental systems remain limited.
Insights
The chicken embryo model effectively detects drug-induced kidney injury, offering a scalable in vivo platform for developmental nephrotoxicity research. This preclinical model shows promise for evaluating drug safety during kidney development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Toxicology
- Preclinical research
Background:
- Nephrotoxicity is a significant challenge in drug development.
- Existing preclinical models often lack physiological relevance, ethical balance, or scalability.
- There is a need for improved in vivo models for assessing kidney toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the chicken embryo (CE) as an in vivo platform for nephrotoxicity assessment.
- To use gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury as a proof-of-principle for this model.
- To explore the CE's potential in developmental nephrotoxicity research.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an ex ovo culture system for chicken embryo development.
- Assessed renal responses in the developing CE kidney up to embryonic day 12.
- Performed immunohistochemical analyses to compare chicken and human kidney markers.
- Exposed CE to gentamicin to induce acute kidney injury and observed tubular damage.
Main Results:
- The CE kidney demonstrated advanced organogenesis and functionality by embryonic day 12.
- Key structural and vascular markers were conserved between chicken and human kidneys.
- Gentamicin exposure caused dose- and time-dependent tubular injury (dilation, vacuolization).
- Observed injury effects subsided within 96 hours post-exposure.
Conclusions:
- The chicken embryo model can successfully detect acute tubular injury in a developing kidney.
- This model offers a promising, accessible, and physiologically integrated system for developmental nephrotoxicity studies.
- The CE platform addresses limitations in current preclinical models for kidney toxicity assessment.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
01:29Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology
01:22Acute Kidney Injury I: Introduction