Figure 6
Visualization of a murine cirrhotic kidney. (A) Volume rendering µCT images display the cirrhotic kidney (left) and the slightly augmented kidney (right), with its associated ureter (u). In comparison to the smooth surface of the right kidney with a size of 410.6 mm3, the smaller left cirrhotic kidney with a volume of 76.9 mm3 appears with a blistered, irregular surface. (B) A virtual cross section of the CT image of the left kidney reveals multiple small cysts (black arrows) within the thinned parenchyma and a degenerated and cavernous renal pelvis (rp). Cross section of the right kidney reveals the stratification of cortex (c) medulla (m) and renal pelvis (rp), although the widened pelvis and the reduced medullar contrast point to a beginning pathological alteration. (C) 2D sections reveal multiple cysts of different sizes (red arrows) within the irregular shaped cortex (c) and depict structures with a notable contrast representing the renal pelvis (rp) as well as the ureter (u) within the cirrhotic kidney. In comparison to the cirrhotic kidney, the right kidney shows a stronger PTA staining within its cortex whereas only a slight contrast can be seen in the wall of the ureter (u). (D) Corresponding histological sections of the cirrhotic kidney, stained with Masson-Goldner trichrom (MGT), confirm fibrotic and inflammatory remodeling within the kidney as obtained by µCT image (B–E) At higher magnification, the left photomicrograph shows the thinned parenchyma without distinct differentiation between cortex and medulla (Left upper frame) with an irregular central renal pelvis (Right lower frame). Note that inflammatory cells (arrows) accumulate in the cortex as a sign of inflammation. Higher magnification of the marked frames shows spacious cystic areas (*) within the thin cortex (c) and cystic degenerated glomeruli (arrows, middle panel). The wall of the ureter (uw) is abnormally thickened and contains a high amount of collagen indicated by the light blue stain (right panel). (F) A consecutive IHC approach, using an anti-CD31 antibody shows the specific binding to endothelial cells (arrow) and therefore confirms the successful applicability of IHC to PTA diffused murine kidneys.
