NZB/W Mouse Model

Charles River has characterized a clinically relevant model of lupus, the NZB/W mouse. In this model, lupus develops spontaneously with an increase in autoantibodies at 5 months of age and peak at 8-9 months, which parallels with development of proteinuria, an indicator of kidney dysfunction.

Image of a kidney representing the damage caused by nephritis. Nephritis is an immune complex-mediated autoimmune disease characterized by kidney inflammation. Nephritis is clinically diagnosed through urine tests, blood tests, and kidney biopsies. Charles River has characterized a nephrotoxic nephritis mouse model induced by administration of nephrotoxic antiserum (NTS).

We also offer other kidney models of inflammation, such as our Nephrotoxic Antiserum Mouse Model of Nephritis.
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Study parameters include in-life clinical evaluation of proteinuria and serum autoantibodies, blood creatinine, and histopathological evaluation of kidney sections together with optional cytokine analysis in serum and kidneys.

Optional Study Endpoints

  • PK/PD blood collections
  • Cytokine/chemokine analysis
  • Clinical chemistry
  • Histopathological evaluation
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Flow cytometry in lymph nodes or spleen

In-life Readout

  • PROTEINURIA

    charts showing efficacy on proteinuria in the NZB/W model of spontaneous SLE

    Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) administered daily at 100 mg/kg shows efficacy on proteinuria in the NZB/W mouse model of spontaneous SLE. 

Ex Vivo Analysis

  • BONE MARROW FLOW CYTOMETRY ANALYSIS

    charts showing shows efficacy via a reduction in the proportion of plasmablasts and plasma cells

    Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) administered daily at 100 mg/kg. Compound X caused a decrease in the proportion of bone marrow monocytes.

  • LYMPH NODE FLOW CYTOMETRY ANALYSIS

    charts showing shows efficacy via a reduction in lymph node B cells, monocytes/macrophages, and the activation of monocytes/macrophages

    Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) administered daily at 100 mg/kg shows efficacy via a reduction in lymph node B cells, monocytes/macrophages, and the activation of monocytes/macrophages.

  • SPLEEN FLOW CYTOMETRY ANALYSIS

    charts showing efficacy via a reduction in a decrease in spleen B cells, monocytes/macrophages, and the activation of monocytes/macrophages

    Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) administered daily at 100 mg/kg shows efficacy via a reduction in spleen B cells, monocytes, and the activation of monocytes (as shown by CD86 expression).