Bien Isabel Senica

• BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences
• Development of a predictive in vitro nephrotoxicity testing platform in rat primary renal proximal tubule cell monolayers

The lack of useful kidney models is a problem in pre-clinical investigations of nephrotoxicity, which is toxicity of the kidney. Here, we evaluated the utility of rat kidney cells as an experimental model for toxicity tests. To do so, we treated rat kidney cells with known kidney toxins, and then measured the expression of nephrotoxicity markers. The results showed that expression of the key markers was much higher in kidney cells treated with toxins. Additionally, levels of these markers were dependent on concentrations of kidney toxins. These data suggest that the rat cells express relevant key markers of nephrotoxicity and demonstrated their potential as an experimental model in toxicity screening.

 Funding Source: Newcastle University

 Supervisor: Dr Colin D A Brown