# Core E: Microvascular Complications Core

> **NIH NIH U2C** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2020 · $210,422

## Abstract

Project Summary / Abstract Core E - Microvascular Complications Core
The microvascular complications of type 1 and 2 diabetes are major causes of morbidity and mortality.
Adequate murine models of these complications are critical to their understanding, treatment and prevention.
Development and testing of murine models of diabetic microvasular complications has been slowed by the
relative paucity of uniform phenotyping standards and methods. The Complications Core will help to overcome
this barrier by providing validated, reproducible and standardized phenotyping of the 3 major microvascular
complications: diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), nephropathy (DN) and retinopathy (DR). The Microvascular
Complications Core will make the phenotyping of mouse models of diabetic complications available,
expeditious, affordable, effective, and convenient for individual investigators. In addition to providing
education, consultation and advice regarding the analysis of mouse models of complications, the Core will
provide phenotyping services using the specialized equipment that it operates. Specifically, the Core will
provide assessment of murine DPN, DN and DR using clinical and anatomical assays for each complication
and will also offer advanced phenotyping of models exhibiting each complication. DPN advanced testing will
include phenotyping of models exhibiting neuropathy such as measures of cell death and oxidative stress in
dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and peripheral nerve. DN advanced phenotyping will include measures of
podocyte number, precise morphometric analysis of glomerular expansion, glomerular volume and
tubulointerstitial fibrosis, EM morphometry of podocyte foot processes, immunohistochemical analysis of
podocyte specific proteins, and glomerular isolation. DR advanced testing will include measures of retinal
vascular permeability, retinal cell death and non-lethal measures of retinal morphology using optical
coherence tomography and visual function using optokinetic response. A significant strength of the
Complications Core is that all testing methods will be housed within one laboratory and that all three
complications can be assessed in a single mouse. This will allow for the efficient flow and coordination of
animal testing, data collection and ultimately tissue harvest. Many assays performed in conscious animals
may be repeated over the course of the experiment while others will be performed immediately prior to
euthanasia. All components of the Complications Core will work closely together and with client investigators
to coordinate the phenotypic characterization of microvascular complications. This comprehensive approach
will reveal commonalties and differences among complications as well as addressing the impact of specific
gene alterations and treatment regimens.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9972921
- **Project number:** 5U2CDK110768-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Eva Lucille Feldman
- **Activity code:** U2C (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $210,422
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9972921

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9972921, Core E: Microvascular Complications Core (5U2CDK110768-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9972921. Licensed CC0.

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