Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: ClC4 , ClC5

Title: Single photon emission-computed tomography (SPECT) for functional investigation of the proximal tubule in conscious mice.

Authors: François Jouret, Stéphan Walrand, Kleber S Parreira, Pierre J Courtoy, Stanislas Pauwels, Olivier Devuyst, François Jamar

Journal, date & volume: Am. J. Physiol. Renal Physiol., 2010 Feb , 298, F454-60

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19955188

Abstract
Noninvasive analysis of renal function in conscious mice is necessary to optimize the use of mouse models. In this study, we evaluated whether single photon emission-computed tomography (SPECT) using specific radionuclear tracers can be used to analyze changes in renal proximal tubule functions. The tracers included (99m)TC- dimercaptosuccinic acid ((99m)Tc-DMSA), which is used for cortex imaging; (99m)Tc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine ((99m)Tc-MAG3), used for dynamic renography; and (123)I-beta(2)-microglobulin, which monitors receptor-mediated endocytosis. (99m)Tc-DMSA SPECT imaging was shown to delineate the functional renal cortex with a approximately 1-mm spatial resolution and accumulated in the cortex reaching a plateau 5 h after injection. The cortical uptake of (99m)Tc-DMSA was abolished in Clcn5 knockout mice, a model of proximal tubule dysfunction. Dynamic renography with (99m)Tc-MAG3 in conscious mice demonstrated rapid extraction from blood, renal accumulation, and subsequent tubular secretion. Anesthesia induced a significant delay in the (99m)Tc-MAG3 clearance. The tubular reabsorption of (123)I-beta(2)-microglobulin was strongly impaired in the Clcn5 knockout mice, with defective tubular processing and loss of the native tracer in urine, reflecting proximal tubule dysfunction. Longitudinal studies in a model of cisplatin-induced acute tubular injury revealed a correlation between tubular recovery and (123)I-beta(2)-microglobulin uptake. These data show that SPECT imaging with well-validated radiotracers allows in vivo investigations of specific proximal tubule functions in conscious mice.