Nephritis is an inflammation of one or both kidneys most often caused by autoimmune disease (lupus) but also triggered by other factors such as infection. Lupus nephritis is one of the most serious complications of the autoimmune disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as a major predictor of a poor prognosis.

Disease development is associated with antibodies against single and double-stranded DNA, immune complex deposition, proteinuria and inflammatory cytokine and cell responses. Steroids and other immunosuppressive agents are used for treatments.

Animal models have been developed over the last few decades for investigation of immunopathology of this disease and to evaluate therapeutics.

Nephritis Rat Models

Washington Biotech offers two (2) in vivo models for nephritis:

• PA-induced Nephritis Model (rat) Nephritis induced by intravenous injection of Puromycin aminonucleoside (PA).
• Antibody-induced Nephritis Model (rat) Nephritis induced by intravenous injection of anti-Thy1.1 monoclonal antibody (Ab)

 

References:

Foster, MH. "Relevance of systemic lupus erythematosus nephritis animal models to human disease".
Semin. Nephrol. 1999. 19(1): 12-24.
Salgado, A. and CH Diaz. "Review Article. Lupus Nephritis: An Overview of Recent Findings".
Autoimmune Diseases, 2012. 1-21.