Question

Experimental model for minimal change disease.

Hint:

The PAN-induced model is a widely used experimental system to study the pathophysiology and treatment of minimal change disease.

Answer 1

Minimal change disease (MCD) is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome, especially in children. While the exact cause of MCD is unknown, an experimental model of the disease is used to understand its pathogenesis and develop therapeutic strategies.
Step 1: Experimental Model for Minimal Change Disease:
1. Induction of MCD in Animals: The most widely used animal model for minimal change disease is the administration of nephrotoxic agents, such as puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN), to rats or mice.
2. Pathogenesis: PAN induces foot process effacement in podocytes, which is the hallmark of MCD in humans. The mechanism is thought to involve damage to the glomerular filtration barrier, leading to protein leakage into the urine.
3. Proteinuria: Animals injected with PAN develop massive proteinuria, similar to human MCD. The model is used to investigate the role of podocytes in maintaining the filtration barrier and the involvement of immune mechanisms in disease progression.
Step 2: Research Applications:
1. Drug Testing: The PAN-induced MCD model is valuable for testing potential treatments for nephrotic syndrome, including corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents.
2. Mechanistic Studies: Researchers use this model to explore the role of cytokines, podocyte signaling pathways, and immune system involvement in the development of MCD.