The Use of Immunofluorescent Staining in Kidney Vascular Injury and Treatment

The main purpose of the studies was to evaluate different markers of endothelial integrity in the setting of acute kidney injury with or without novel treatments aimed at mitigating vascular damage. Acute kidney injury induces damage and loss of kidney microvessels, and this is thought to contribute to development of chronic kidney disease. However, the mechanisms of endothelial capillary loss have not been fully elucidated. Our goals were to: 1) evaluate different markers of endothelial integrity in the setting of acute injury and 2) evaluate novel interventions of acute injury to mitigate vascular damage and loss. Immunofluorescent staining for either one of three markers of the endothelium CD31, Cablin, and Plasmalemma Vesicle Associated Protein (PLVAP) or in combination (CD31/Cablin) was utilized to quantify and show the effects of how a particular treatment can alleviate AKI. The use of single and double Immunofluorescence stainings can be used to compare injured versus treated kidneys in nearly any intervention used in an attempt to alleviate AKI. These stainings help provide physiological proof of success or failure of an attempted intervention.

Supervisor: Dr. Basile
Department: Cellular and Integrative Physiology