Murine Kidney Transplant Technique

The first mouse kidney transplant technique was published in 19731 by the Russell laboratory. Although it took some years for other labs to become ...

Medical Center and University of Colorado, Denver

Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Muscle loss, osteoporosis, and vascular disease are common in subjects with reduced renal function. Despite intensive research of the underlying risk factors and mechanisms driving these phenotypes, we still lack effective treatment strategies for this underserved patient group. Thus, new approaches are needed to identify effective treatments. We believe that nephrologists could learn much from biomimicry; i.e., studies of nature's models to solve complicated physiological problems and then imitate these fascinating solutions to develop novel interventions. The hibernating bear (Ursidae) should be of specific interest to the nephrologist as they ingest no food or water for months, remaining anuric and immobile, only to awaken with low blood urea nitrogen levels, healthy lean body mass, strong bones, and without evidence for thrombotic complications. Identifying the mechanisms by which bears prevent the development of azotemia, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and atherosclerosis despite being inactive and anuric could lead to novel interventions for both prevention and treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease.

Hibernating bears (Ursidae): metabolic magicians of definite interest for the nephrologist.

One of the most challenging research microsurgical techniques is the mouse kidney transplant however, very few laboratories have made use of this important model due to its difficulty. One of the main obstacles to utilizing this procedure is the high incidence of post-operative arterial thrombosis. We believe this is caused by the path in which blood is required to flow from the recipient abdominal aorta, via the donor recipient aorta and on into the renal artery creating a tortuous route and areas of turbulence, which are prone to thrombus formation and failure of the graft.

Article	Year
Hibernating bears (Ursidae): metabolic magicians of definite interest for the nephrologist. Kidney international\| PubMed ID: 23254895	2013
Revised Arterial Anastomosis for Improving Murine Kidney Transplant Outcomes. Journal of investigative surgery : the official journal of the Academy of Surgical Research\| PubMed ID: 26087146	2015

Alkesh H. Jani

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