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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Isolation, Characterization, And High Throughput Extracellular Flux Analysis of Mouse Primary Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells
Published on: June 20, 2018
Vacuolation in renal tubular epithelium of Cd-1 mice: an incidental finding
R C Johnson1, B J Dovey-Hartman, J Syed
1Schering-Plough Research Institute, Lafayette, New Jersey 07848, USA. Robert.Johnson@spri.com
Abstract:
Prominent cytoplasmic vacuoles were observed in renal tubular epithelial cells of the outer medulla in several kidneys from test article-dosed mice (Crl:CD-1 (ICR)BR VAF/PLUS) during routine light microscopic (LM) examination. Because the vacuolar change was detected infrequently and was not found in any control mice from that study, it was not clear whether the vacuolation represented a drug-induced change. To address this question, kidney sections from mice from multiple unrelated studies were examined by LM for similar vacuolar changes. Vacuolation was seen by LM in 2.3% of the control and 2.8% of the test article-dosed mice. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was also performed on kidneys with prominent light microscopic vacuoles in 5 control mice and 2 test article-dosed mice to further characterize the vacuoles. Ultrastructurally, the vacuoles contained fibrillar and finely stipled granular material or membranous whorls. Kidneys from control mice lacking light microscopic evidence of vacuolation had smaller vacuoles containing similar material when examined by TEM. Because vacuoles were present in both control mice and test article-dosed mice, it was concluded that the vacuoles were incidental and unrelated to compound administration. These studies also demonstrated that vacuoles can be expected to be observed by LM examination in 2-3% of Crl:CD-1 (ICR)BR VAF/PLUS, mice.
Insights
Cytoplasmic vacuoles in mouse kidneys were investigated. These vacuoles were found in both control and test article-dosed mice, indicating they are incidental findings unrelated to drug administration.
Area of Science:
- Toxicologic pathology
- Renal pathology
- Electron microscopy
Background:
- Cytoplasmic vacuoles in renal tubular epithelial cells were observed during routine light microscopy in test article-dosed mice.
- The origin of these vacuoles was unclear, as they were infrequent and not initially seen in control mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if observed vacuolar changes in mouse kidneys were drug-induced.
- To characterize the ultrastructural morphology of these vacuoles.
Main Methods:
- Examination of kidney sections from multiple studies using light microscopy (LM).
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed on selected samples from control and test article-dosed mice.
- Comparative analysis of vacuole presence and morphology in control versus treated groups.
Main Results:
- Vacuolation was observed by LM in 2.3% of control mice and 2.8% of test article-dosed mice.
- TEM revealed vacuoles containing fibrillar, granular, or membranous material in both groups.
- Similar vacuoles were present in control mice lacking LM evidence of vacuolation.
Conclusions:
- The observed cytoplasmic vacuoles in mouse renal tubular epithelial cells are incidental findings.
- These vacuoles are not related to test article administration.
- Vacuoles are expected in 2-3% of Crl:CD-1 (ICR)BR VAF/PLUS mice upon LM examination.
