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Researcher Yamamoto from Pharmacology Business Unit to Present a Poster at the World Congress of Nephrology 2026

2026.03.24

Researcher Yamamoto from Pharmacology Business Unit, will deliver a poster presentation at The World Congress of Nephrology 2026,  to be held inthe Pacifico Yokohama, Japan
If you plan to attend the conference, we encourage you to join the session and hear the presentation.

Conference Name: The World Congress of Nephrology 2026

Date & Time: March 30 (Mon), 2026, 17:00-18:00 (JST)

Location: Exhibition Hall (Hall B) of the Pacifico Yokohama, Japan

Title: Irbesartan but not Roflumilast Ameliorates Renal Injury in a Col4a5 R471* Mutant Mouse Model of Alport Syndrome and CKD
Poster Board No: P533
Abstract No: WCN26-AB-5088

Presentation Summary
Alport syndrome is a hereditary kidney disease characterized by progressive renal failure caused by mutations in type IV collagen genes, and no curative therapy has been established to date. In this study, we evaluated the clinical translatability of our proprietary mouse model harboring the Col4a5 R471* mutation reported in human Alport syndrome using an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) with clinically established renoprotective effects and a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor that has not been clinically validated for this indication but has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties. This model exhibited elevated urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), renal anemia, and increased expression of kidney injury–associated genes, reflecting the patient pathology with high reproducibility. Administration of irbesartan, an ARB used in clinical practice, resulted in significant improvements in UACR and anemia-related parameters, confirming a renoprotective effect in this model. Given that this model also demonstrated enhanced renal inflammation and fibrosis, we evaluated the pharmacological efficacy of roflumilast, a PDE4 inhibitor with anti-inflammatory properties. Although a trend toward suppression of fibrosis-related gene expression was observed, improvements in renal functional parameters were limited. Collectively, these results indicate that the Col4a5 R471* mutant mouse recapitulates both the clinical pathology of Alport syndrome and the therapeutic efficacy of ARBs, highlighting its potential utility as a preclinical model for therapeutic development.

Axcelead DDP’s Soulution
At Axcelead, we have developed a mouse model harboring the human Alport syndrome–associated Col4a5 R471* mutation, offering high clinical translatability and utility for novel drug evaluation. This model exhibits low inter individual variability with　stable and reproducible disease progression, enabling reliable assessment of pharmacological efficacy. We also provide a broad range of evaluation platforms tailored to the mechanisms of action (MOAs) of renal diseases and support the development of renal therapeutics from preclinical efficacy and pharmacology studies through translational bridging to clinical development. Furthermore, we have experience supporting globally, with extensive positive‑control data accumulated. If you are facing challenges in drug discovery for renal diseases, please feel free to contact us.

Related Service: Genetically Modified Animal

I worked at Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited before transferring to Axcelead Drug Discovery Partners, Inc. when it was established in 2017. I have over 15 years of experience in non-clinical pharmacokinetic research at the development stage. I specialize in conducting pharmacokinetic studies under BDM reliability assurance in rats, mice, dogs, and monkeys. Since 2023, I have engaged in efficacy and pharmacology studies in metabolic disease areas, including renal and hepatic diseases, as well as obesity.