Glomerular injury induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of Shiga-like toxins

Background & objectives : Shiga-like toxins I and II (Stx1 and Stx2) play a n important role in the pathogenesis of renal disease by causing renal micr ovascular injury. A murine model was used to study glomerular lesions produ ced by Stx1 and Stx2, Methods : Swiss albino mice of the Rockefeller strain were inoculated intra peritoneally with LD50 doses of endotoxin-free Stx1 or Stx2 and observed fo r signs of disease. Samples of renal cortical tissue from mice were examine d with the electron microscope. Results : The mice developed systemic and neurological symptoms including h ind limb paralysis and generalised convulsions. Renal arteriolar damage and glomerular endothelial cytoplasmic swelling, vacuolation, lysis and intrav ascular coagulation were present and resembled the microangiopathy seen in renal biopsies from patients. Interpretation & conclusions : These experiments establish the role of Stx1 and Stx2 in glomerular vascular injury and provide a model for studying th e pathogenesis of Shiga-like toxin related microangiopathy.