Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious microvascular complications of diabetes. Approximately 40% of individuals with diabetes worldwide eventually develop renal failure, making it the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Its pathogenesis involves a complex interaction of hyperglycemia-driven metabolic disorders, oxidative stress, inflammatory cascades and genetic susceptibility. Ace Therapeutics provides one-stop solutions from mechanism discovery to target validation through multi-omics technology, pathology modeling and molecular mechanism analysis. Our comprehensive mechanistic research services can explore the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy from multiple perspectives and provide scientific support for drug target discovery, biomarker screening and innovative therapy development.

Introduction to Diabetic Nephropathy

The core pathologic features of diabetic nephropathy include:

• Metabolic imbalance

Sustained hyperglycemia leads to glomerular basement membrane thickening and podocyte apoptosis through activation of the polyol pathway, the AGEs-RAGE signaling axis, and the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst.

• Inflammation and fibrosis

Activation of TGF-β, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and JAK/STAT pathways promotes proliferation of tethered cells and extracellular matrix deposition, while inflammatory factors such as IL-18 and TNF-α exacerbate tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

• Hemodynamic abnormalities

Excessive activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) triggers glomerular hyperfiltration and accelerates renal decline.

Although existing therapies (e.g., SGLT2 inhibitors, ACEIs/ARBs) can delay disease progression, it is difficult to reverse kidney injury. The development of breakthrough therapies critically depends on in-depth exploration of pathological mechanisms and precisely targeted interventions.

Fig. 1 Overview of the pathological pathways in diabetic nephropathy. (Lim, A. K. H., 2014)

Diabetic Nephropathy Pathological Research Services at Ace Therapeutics

Ace Therapeutics provides integrated solutions to help clients advance in mechanistic studies of diabetic nephropathy.

Animal Modeling Services for Diabetic Nephropathy

Constructing a stable and reliable diabetic nephropathy animal model is an important foundation for conducting research on pathological mechanisms. We offer the capability to construct various types and stages diabetic nephropathy animal models according to clients' needs.

• STZ-induced Rat Model
• STZ + High-fat diet-induced rat model
• Spontaneous diabetic nephropathy models (db/db mouse model, NOD mouse model, KK-Ay mouse model, GK rat model)

Through an integrated model evaluation system, we rigorously assess DN animal models across key metrics including blood glucose, urinary protein, renal function, and histopathological parameters, ensuring biological validity and providing reliable preclinical models for downstream investigations.

Molecular Mechanisms Research Services of Diabetic Nephropathy

At the molecular level, we utilize molecular biology techniques to deeply investigate the key molecular mechanisms involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy.

• We use real-time quantitative fluorescence PCR (qPCR), Western blot, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and other techniques to detect changes in the expression levels of relevant genes and proteins. To analyze the mechanism of inflammatory factors (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6), oxidative stress-related proteins (e.g., Nox2, Nrf2), and extracellular matrix metabolism-related proteins (e.g., Collagen IV, fibronectin) in the pathological process of diabetic nephropathy.
• We utilize gene editing technology to knockout or overexpress key genes to further validate their functions and regulatory mechanisms, providing strong evidence to reveal the molecular pathological mechanisms of diabetic nephropathy.

Cellular Mechanisms Research Services of Diabetic Nephropathy

Based on the cell biology technology platform, we carry out research on the cellular mechanisms involved in diabetic nephropathy.

• We simulate the cytopathic environment of diabetic nephropathy by isolating and culturing kidney-related cells such as glomerular mesangial cells, podocytes, and tubular epithelial cells, and establishing cell injury models such as high glucose and oxidative stress.
• We use cell proliferation and apoptosis assay, cell migration and invasion assay, and intracellular signaling pathway assay to analyze the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy at the cellular level. (including biological behavior changes of cells during disease progression and the regulation of key signaling pathways.)

Pathogenesis Research Services of Diabetic Nephropathy

Renal pathologic changes are an important basis for the diagnosis and condition assessment of diabetic nephropathy.

• We perform detailed pathomorphologic analysis of renal tissues with the help of advanced pathological testing techniques (e.g., conventional histological staining, immunofluorescence staining, electron microscopic observation, etc.).
• By observing pathological features such as glomerular hypertrophy, basement membrane thickening, extracellular matrix deposition, and podocyte injury, we accurately determine the pathological stage of diabetic nephropathy, and provide an intuitive and reliable pathological basis for the study of diabetic nephropathy pathological mechanisms.

Our Technology Platforms

We rely on a series of advanced, dedicated technology platforms to closely integrate macro-phenotypic and micro-mechanistic research, providing robust, multidimensional support for a comprehensive analysis of the disease process.

Ace Therapeutics supports each stage of diabetic nephropathy research with robust experimental design and expert data analysis, helping accelerate target identification and validation. Please contact us for more information. Our dedicated team will work with you to fully understand your research goals, priorities, and expected outcomes.

References

1. Lim, A. K. H. Diabetic nephropathy-complications and treatment. International journal of nephrology and renovascular disease. 2014: 361-381.
2. Khoury, C. C.; et al. Pathophysiology of diabetic nephropathy[M]//Chronic Renal Disease. Academic Press. 2020: 279-296.
3. Samsu N. Diabetic nephropathy: challenges in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. BioMed research international. 2021, 2021(1): 1497449.

• In Vivo Modeling of Diabetic Nephropathy
• Diabetic Nephropathy Drug Development Service
• Diabetic Nephropathy Biomarker Development Service
• Diabetic Nephropathy Diagnostic Development Service

• Mouse Models
• Assay Kits
• Antibodies
• Cell Lines & Lysates
• Proteins & Peptides
• Inhibitors & Activators