Transgenic animal models of renal development and pathogenesis. Kopp, Jeffrey B., Paul E. Klotman. Kidney Disease Section, Metabolic Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, and Division of Nephrology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029
APStracts 2:0140F, 1995.
The use of transgenic animals represents a powerful tool to address the role of particular gene products in vivo. Recent technical and biologic advances have simplified the process of creating both transgenic mice and null mutation mice. Increasing numbers of genetic control elements are available to direct transgene expression to particular renal cell types and to enhance the consistency of expression. These approaches have contributed significantly to our understanding of renal development and pathogenesis, in particular in the following areas: the roles of various oncogenes, homeobox genes, and growth factors in renal development and the pathogenesis of cystic renal diseases; the contribution of systemic and local expression of the renin-angiotensin system to blood pressure control; the role of growth factors and cytokines in progressive glomerular disease; the role of viral proteins in the pathogenesis of glomerular and tubular disease; and mechanisms of immune-mediated renal disease.

Received 22 May 1995; accepted in final form 1 August 1995.
APS Manuscript Number F256-5.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Renal Fluid Electrolyte
Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 14 August 1995.