FIG. 1.
Generation of the genetic mouse model. A: To delete Vegfa from podocytes at specified time points, a transgenic line was created carrying four independent transgenes: Nphs2-rtTA, tetO-Cre, and Vegfa flox/flox. B: Mice were divided into four groups: WT (no STZ, no doxycycline [Dox]), DM (injected with STZ at week 0), VEGFKO (induced with doxycycline at week 1 of treatment), and DM+VEGFKO (injected with STZ at week 0 and induced with doxycycline at week 1). C: Random blood glucose levels were higher in diabetic groups (P < 0.001). There was no difference between DM (n = 8–27) and DM+VEGFKO (n = 9–38) or between WT (n = 9–24) and VEGFKO (n = 7–27). D: HbA1c measurements at time of dissection were not different between diabetic groups (DM, n = 8, vs. DM+VEGFKO, n = 4) or between nondiabetic groups (WT, n = 6, vs. VEGFKO, n = 4). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.