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Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction Model for Investigating Kidney Interstitial Fibrosis
04:37

Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction Model for Investigating Kidney Interstitial Fibrosis

Published on: April 25, 2025

Can prevention of disuse atrophy unlock causes of kidney fibrosis?

Joseph V Bonventre1

  • 1Division of Nephrology and Engineering in Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, MassGeneralBrigham, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Kidney International
|August 20, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Early removal of the contralateral kidney within 3 days after ischemia improved kidney function and reduced long-term damage. Delayed nephrectomy led to maladaptive repair, highlighting the importance of timing in kidney injury recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Renal Pathophysiology
  • Surgical Intervention

Background:

  • Unilateral kidney ischemia can lead to significant structural and functional damage.
  • The timing of contralateral nephrectomy may influence the kidney's adaptive response to ischemia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the adverse effects of unilateral kidney ischemia.
  • To determine how the timing of contralateral nephrectomy modulates these effects on kidney structure and function.

Main Methods:

  • Studies were conducted in rat and mouse models.
  • Unilateral ischemia was induced, followed by contralateral nephrectomy at different time points (3 days vs. delayed).
  • Kidney structure, function, inflammation, tubular cell polyploidization, fibrosis, and immune infiltrates were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Early contralateral nephrectomy (3 days post-ischemia) reversed the initial reduction in kidney function.
  • Delayed nephrectomy resulted in maladaptive pathologic repair, including increased inflammation, tubular cell polyploidization, and fibrosis.
  • Both early and later nephrectomy reduced immune infiltrates, but early intervention was superior for mitigating long-term damage.

Conclusions:

  • The timing of contralateral nephrectomy is critical in modulating the kidney's response to unilateral ischemia.
  • Performing nephrectomy within 3 days post-ischemia promotes adaptive repair and reduces long-term adverse effects.
  • Delayed nephrectomy can lead to detrimental maladaptive repair processes.

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