Figure 7

Hypothesized pathogenic pathways reflected by the images in the two complementary models of chronic kidney disease. (a) The normal control mice display relatively intact glomeruli that were evenly distributed in the cortex. (b) The UUO (mainly renal TI lesions) mice showed a disrupted configuration and apparent rarefaction of the microvasculature, which was displayed in the hedgehog-like (highlights in square), funnel-like and long beak-like images. (c) In FSGS (mainly glomerulopathy) mice, the microvasculature was clearly visible, with the exception of intense, focal twisted microvascular profiles in the renal cortex and the random defects of glomeruli, which are represented by the notched mushroom-like and earthworm-like imaging markers. These schematic diagrams were constructed according to the imaging features and reflected the pathological findings (PAS and IHC staining). UUO-unilateral ureteral obstruction; FSGS-focal segmental glomerulosclerosis; TI-tubulointerstitial; G-glomerulus; ECM-extracellular matrix.