Standardized, systemic phenotypic analysis of Umod(C93F) and Umod(A227T) mutant mice

PLoS One. 2013 Oct 24;8(10):e78337. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078337. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Uromodulin-associated kidney disease (UAKD) summarizes different clinical features of an autosomal dominant heritable disease syndrome in humans with a proven uromodulin (UMOD) mutation involved. It is often characterized by hyperuricemia, gout, alteration of urine concentrating ability, as well as a variable rate of disease progression inconstantly leading to renal failure and histological alterations of the kidneys. We recently established the two Umod mutant mouse lines Umod(C93F) and Umod(A227T) on the C3H inbred genetic background both showing kidney defects analogous to those found in human UAKD patients. In addition, disease symptoms were revealed that were not yet described in other published mouse models of UAKD. To examine if further organ systems and/or metabolic pathways are affected by Umod mutations as primary or secondary effects, we describe a standardized, systemic phenotypic analysis of the two mutant mouse lines Umod(A227T) and Umod(C93F) in the German Mouse Clinic. Different genotypes as well as different ages were tested. Beside the already published changes in body weight, body composition and bone metabolism, the influence of the Umod mutation on energy metabolism was confirmed. Hematological analysis revealed a moderate microcytic and erythropenic anemia in older Umod mutant mice. Data of the other analyses in 7-10 month-old mutant mice showed single small additional effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / genetics
  • Anemia / pathology
  • Animals
  • Energy Metabolism / genetics
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Kidney Diseases / genetics
  • Kidney Diseases / pathology*
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Phenotype
  • Reference Standards
  • Uromodulin / genetics*

Substances

  • Uromodulin

Grants and funding

This work has been funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) (grant KE1673/1-1), by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research to the German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders (grant 01 EO 0901), to the DZD (German Center for Diabetes Research) and to the GMC (NGFN-Plus grants no. 01GS0850, 01GS0851, 01GS0852, 01GS0853, 01GS0854, 01GS0868, 01GS0869; Infrafrontier grant 01KX1012), and by the Initiative and Networking Fund of the Helmholtz Association in the framework of the Helmholtz Alliance for Mental Research in an Ageing Society (HA-215) and the Helmholtz Alliance ICEMED (Initiative and Network Fund of the Helmholtz Association). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.