Renal fibrosis laboratory

Institute of Pathophysiology

Semmelweis University, Faculty of Medicine

Group leaders: Gábor Kökény MD, PhD, Miklós Mózes MD, PhD

PhD students: Ágnes Németh MD, Petra Szoleczky MSc

Technical assistants: Krisztina Mikóné, Ágnes Udri

Our working group investigates the role of TGF-ß in chronic renal disease models such as diabetic nephropathy and chronic kidney fibrosis. We have unique transgenic mouse models, TGF-ß transgenic mice and relaxin transgenic mice. Our TGF-ß research covers genetic susceptibility to TGF-ß induced renal and myocardial fibrosis, behavioral alterations caused by elevated circulating TGF-ß levels in transgenic mice, and the role of TGF-ß in osmotic stress responses of the renal medulla both in vivo and in vitro.

We also investigate new therapeutic approaches in nephropathy of diabetes type-1, focusing on podocyte damage and progression which involves modulation of the NO-cGMP pathway and the renin-angiotensin system.

Our transgenic laboratory bears a wide range of molecular biology equipment for DNA, RNA and protein expression analysis. The histomorphometric laboratory covers histology and immunohistochemistry methods, light- and fluorescence microscopy and computer aided image analysis.

We are running the specified pathogen free (SPF) GMO animal facility for transgenic mice, which is now being expanded with a unique SCID facility (joint project with the II. Institute of Pathology).

Research infrastructure and used methods

Cell culture and molecular biology: Isolation of primary kidney cells, culture of primary and immortalized cells, transient and stable transfection. DNA, RNA and protein isolation, gel electrophoresis, qPCR, immunoblot. Equipment: incubators, laminar flow box, centrifuges, invert microscope, NanoDrop2000 spectrophotometer, gel documentation and chemiluminescent detection systems (Syngene G-Box, Gnome), PCR and qPCR (BioRad CFX system), electrophoresis equipment, BioRad Gene Pulser, plate readers (eg. Perkin-Elmer Wallac).

Animal experiment and animal facility: Generation of transgenic mice, characterization and maintenance of transgenic colonies, genotype, breeding and crossing, surgical interventions. Animals are housed under SPF conditions according to FELASA and EU directives at the GMO Mouse Facility of our NET Building.

Histology, immunohistochemistry: Perfusion fixation, basic histo stains, immunohistochemistry (avidin-biotin and HRP-biotin), immunofluorescence. Equipment: Leica DMR microscope with high-res digital camera and image analysis software (Image Pro Plus).


Last change: 2015.05.12 17:48