Kidney stone formation in a novel murine model of polycystic kidney disease

Individuals with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease have a higher incidence of stone formation than the general population. However, there are no cystic animal models known to develop stones. Cystic mice compound heterozygous for hypomorphic Pkd1(V) and Pkd1(RC) alleles develop cystic kidneys within a few weeks of birth but live beyond 20 wk of age, allowing for the study of cystic comorbidities including stone formation. Cystic Pkd1(VIRc) mice were euthanized at 3, 13, or 26 wk of age, and their kidneys were analyzed by microcomputed tomography (mu CT) for stone formation. Mice had occasional mineral aggregates that could be detected by mu CT analysis at 3 wk of age. At 13 or 26 wk of age, numerous white masses were visible beneath the kidney surface. mu CT analysis confirmed the masses to be large mineral stone deposits throughout the renal cortex, with mineral content increasing with age. Staining of histological sections with alizarin red and von Kossa suggested that the stone deposits were composed primarily of calcium and phosphate. Microdissection confirmed stones localized within cyst lumens. Analysis of individual stones by mu CT and infrared spectroscopy confirmed apatite mineral composition. Urinalysis revealed elevated levels of phosphate and citrate at 3 wk of age and lower pH and elevated levels of calcium and citrate at 13 wk of age, suggesting altered phosphate and calcium homeostasis as a potential cause of mineralization and renal stone formation. This is the first animal model exhibiting overt kidney stone formation in the context of cystic kidney disease. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Compound heterozygous Pkd1(VIRC) mice were found to form calcium phosphate-containing stones within cysts of the renal cortex by 13 wk of age. This is the first polycystic kidney disease animal model exhibiting spontaneous stone formation. A growing body of evidence suggests a link between renal stone formation and cystic kidney disease. This mouse model may be useful for studying the interplay between stone and cyst formation and the functional role of polycystins in mineral homeostasis.