Hypertension, diabetes and obesity, along with genetic predisposition, contribute to the growing number of chronic kidney disease patients. Our novel congenic model [S.SHR(11)] was developed through genetic modification of the Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rat, a model of hypertension related renal disease. The S.SHR(11) strain exhibits accelerated kidney injury compared to the already highly susceptible S rat. On either a low or high-salt diet, the S.SHR(11) model predominately exhibited more tubulointerstitial fibrosis compared to the S rat (17.1±1.29% vs. 12.9±1.22%). Increased α-SMA and macrophage infiltration was also observed. The S and S.SHR(11) had similar blood pressure (week 12), despite an early reduction in renal function in the S.SHR(11); however at an advanced age the S.SHR(11) demonstrated significantly higher blood pressure than the S (215±6.6 mm Hg vs. 183±5.9, respectively). This suggests that increased kidney injury is driving the development of hypertension later in life. Since these two animal models are identical with exception of chromosome 11, the causative genetic variants contributing to decreased renal function must reside within this region. The Dahl S and SHR genomes have been sequenced; this data provides a catalog of all the genetic variants between the two models. The 95% confidence interval of the genomic locus contains 28 non-synonymous SNP, with 15 of these SNP occurring within only three genes:
Retnlg
,
Trat1
and
Myh15.
Two of these genes,
Retnlg
and
Trat1,
are known to play a role in immune response leading to our hypothesis that genetic variants in these genes alter protein function and lead to an increased immune response. Bone marrow transplant studies have been initiated to test our hypothesis and preliminary data shows that S rats who receive S.SHR(11) bone marrow have kidney function measurements similar to the S.SHR(11). The sequencing information has also lead to the development of nine new, more refined congenic strains. Through functional analysis of these new congenic animals, identification of the causative genetic variations will be expedited. In summary, we are employing a model of accelerated kidney disease to identify genes or genetic variants responsible for reduced kidney function and hypertension.
A portrait of the immune response to proliferative kidney disease (PKD) in rainbow trout